Ban Military Unions, They're a Threat to National Security! So Where to from Here?(Report‪)‬

ABSTRACT This article examines why the South African National Defence Force has unions within its ranks. To place the debate in context, the first section outlines the different forces that either drive or restrain the development of military unions within a particular society like South Africa. The second part provides a brief historic overview of the course of events that culminated in the violent protest by soldiers in August 2009. Here it is demonstrated where things have gone wrong and the effect the persistence of dealing with labour relations from a classical unitarist perspective has on an organisation, when the legal framework allows for a more pluralist dispensation. The final section evaluates recent developments and what needs to be done to restore sound labour relations practices in the SANDF given South Africa's unique circumstances.