This 2nd edition of Understanding the Labour Relations Act has been updated to reflect the legislative amendments and case law since the publication of the popular first edition in 2009.

The Labour Relations Act is the main pillar of the South African labour relations system. It aims to promote collective bargaining and the peaceful resolution of employment-related disputes.

Understanding the Labour Relations Act contains an accessible, non-legalistic commentary on the Labour Relations Act. The key provisions of the Act are systematically covered, with Key Point summaries and frequently asked questions (FAQs) to aid understanding.

This book is an ideal companion to Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 & CCMA Related Material in the Juta’s Pocket Statutes series.

• Purpose, application and interpretation of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA)
• Freedom of association and general protections
• Collective bargaining
  • Part I: Organisational rights (ss 11–22) 
  • Part II: Collective agreements (ss 23–26)
  • Part III: Bargaining councils (ss 27–34; 49–63) 
  • Part IV: Bargaining councils in the public service
  • Part V: Statutory councils 
  • Right to strike and recourse to lock-out
• Workplace forums 
  • Part I: Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) 
  • Part II: The Labour Courts
• Unfair dismissal and unfair labour practice 
  • Part I: Unfair dismissal
  • Part II: Unfair labour practices
  • Part III: Transfer of contracts of employment
• General provisions

• Supervisors
• Managers
• Human relations and industrial relations practitioners
• Employee representatives