UASA - The Union is unique in the sense that any worker in South Africa working for reward is eligible to become a member of the union.

Currently, UASA organises approximately 75 000 workers in most sectors/industries and, in order to have an efficient operational structure, these sectors/industries are divided into three main divisions, namely the Minerals Sectors, the Private Sectors and the Metal and Engineering Sectors.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Koos Bezuidenhout, Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

You might get concerned that, as an individual member, you will get lost among the thousands of other members. As the CEO of UASA, I will, however, attempt to introduce you to the respective structures of UASA, which should enable you to clearly see where you are represented and get an idea of all the support structures which will make sure that you enjoy trade union representation beyond your expectations.

Members' interest first

Workers join UASA, primarily, to feel protected in the workplace. The UASA operations department is responsible to fulfil this role and to provide services and assistance, as and when required.

Assistance is normally provided for the following:

• Grievance handling
• Disciplinary assistance
• Arbitration hearings
• Labour Court matters
• Consultation with employers
• Collective bargaining

Members are organised into branch and sector structures to ensure effective representation. Shop stewards are elected and they, together with full-time employees, are trained to ensure only the best representation of any UASA member at all times.

As a specialist back-up in respect of more difficult and challenging cases, a panel of in-house legally qualified individuals are on standby to represent members. If circumstances dictate, external legal experts are contracted to assist members on an ad hoc basis.

Leon Grobler, Chief Operations Officer, together with his team continuously explore ways and means to best represent current members and to attract new members to the UASA fold.

Corporate Services

UASA Corporate Services provides backbone support to the whole organisation and houses the following functions:

• Membership administration and control
• Financial management
• Strategic positioning
• Information management system
• Communication
• Fincents
• UASA Funeral Benefit
• UASA Maternity Benefit
• Asset management
• Marlicht Holiday flats
• Marketing & Public Relations

Corporate Services is also responsible for the smooth and effective function of the regional UASA Service Centres deployed throughout South Africa where UASA members can access any of the services and benefits offered by the union.

The UASA Corporate Services Team is headed up by Jacques Hugo, Chief Corporate Officer. He is ably assisted by the following team members:

• André Venter – Strategic Support and UASA Financial Services
• August Storbeck – Membership Administration
• Asif Jhatham – Financial Management
• Gerhard van Tonder - IT & Network Leader
• Marie Grobler - Resort Manager
• Theresa Roux - Senior Payroll Administrator

The successful leadership of UASA Corporate Services is built on a caring attitude when delivering services beyond expectations to the membership.

The team is bolstered by the respective heads of departments and their staff members.