A history of the South African Mine Workers' Union, 1902-2014

Chapter 1: Militant beginnings. The birth of a miners' union in the era of industrial strife, 1902-1929 -- Introduction -- The founding of the Transvaal Miners' Association -- The Afrikanerisation of the union -- The miners' strike of 1907 -- The miners' strike of 1913 -- The general strike of 1914 -- The volcano erupts. The Rand revolt of 1922 and its aftermath -- Chapter 2: Political forces at play. The struggle for executive control on the MWU, 1929-1948 -- Introduction -- The Harris Administration and the Afrikanerbond van Mynwerkers -- The Reformers' Organisation and commissions of enquiry into the affairs of the MWU -- The politicisation of the struggle for executive control of the union -- The elections of 1948 and the double NP victory -- Chapter 3: From the Ellis Administration to the time of troubles. The MWU in symbiosis with the National Party government, 1948-1977 -- Introduction -- Renewed irregularities. Albert Hertzog and the Hoekcommission of Enquiry -- A bombshell is dropped. The 1951 Judicial Commission of Enquiry -- The Visser-Ellis lawsuit and its aftermath -- The time of troubles. The monthly wage experiment and its consequences for the MWU -- Arrie Paulus and the re-stabilisation of the MWU -- Chapter 4: The Wiehahn Commission of Inquiry and a shift to the hard-right, 1977-1987 -- Introduction -- Prologue to confrontation. The ramifications of the Wiehahn Commission of Inquiry into labour legislation -- The miners' strike of 1979 and its implications for the MWU -- Right-wing reaction to the Wiehahn report. The MWU turns to industrial and political consolidation -- Chapter 5: Adapt or die. Transforming the MWU to solidarity, 1987-2014 -- Introduction -- Defending the laager. Failed efforts towards white right-wing labour and political realignment -- Flip Buys and the transformation to solidarity -- Solidarity in the new millennium -- Conclusion