Trade Unions’ Services & Member Satisfaction in Public Sector:A South African Scenario

The right to belong to a trade union is contained in ILO Core Convention 87 on Freedom of Association. Employees join trade unions for different reasons and motivations and they in return expect certain services and support from the trade unions. Unions are service organizations and they must satisfy their members by providing good services. The quality of services and benefits offered by trade unions to their members must lead to member satisfaction, as satisfied and committed members are more likely to participate in union activities. This research revealed that even though there seems to be reasonably high level of commitment from union members, about 40% of union members are not satisfied or neutral.