Workplace Violence: A Criminological Analysis of a Violent Labour Strike in South Africa

• NCJ Number: 221546
• Journal: Acta Criminologica Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: 2007 Pages: 61-82
• Author(s): D. L. Kgosimore
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 22 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: South Africa
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Annotation

This exploratory research analyzed violence during the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) strike within the framework of workplace violence.

Abstract

The 2006 labor strike by security guard members of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) replicated the form and nature of three previous strikes, also by members of SATAWU. Physical and nonphysical violence against nonstriking workers was perpetrated with exemption from harm. Employers and employees in other workplaces became victims of striking workers when the violence spilled over into their workplaces. Existing research on workplace violence indicates that nonphysical or verbal violence is the most common type of workplace violence. However, the finding of the current research indicates more incidents of physical violence than nonphysical ones. In addition, research shows that issues that emanate from the workplace are also related to violence that is perpetrated against employees away from the workplace. As such, violence of this nature cannot be excluded from the broad spectrum of workplace violence. Workplace violence is a topic that is attracting increasing attention across the industrial world. In South Africa, the phenomenon of workplace violence remains an enigma. It remains relatively unknown and underresearched. Without proper scientific knowledge of workplace violence, violence against employees cannot be properly controlled. This paper seeks to illustrate that, because of their expertise in the areas of crime and violence; criminologists can make a significant contribution to the understanding of workplace violence as a special category of violence. Therefore, violence during the SATAWU strike was analyzed within the framework of work place violence. Tables, bibliography