Fighting a tough battle : addressing gender inequality in the unions: a case study of the South African Commercial, Catering Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU)

Abstract

Gender inequality is one of the hardest issues in our society to tackle. Women continue to be paid less for the same work done by men and experience the highest forms of exploitation. This research will focus on how the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) has chosen a unique separatist model in dealing with gender inequality that occurs within the union. The focus of the research is whether the separate space created for women has been successful. The research looks at how different members of the union have had experience with the separatist model adopted by the union and how they have found it to be successful for them not only in the workplace, but also in other spheres of their lives. The gender policy, which advocates the separate space, is examined and how it has been informed by previous workshops, discussions and programmes run by the union. Certain programmes run by the gender department within the union are examined and used as a success for the model implemented by the union.