The Amalgamated Engineering Union of South Africa (AEU) was a

trade union A trade union (labor union in American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers intent on "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment", ch. I such as attaining better wages and benefits ( ...

representing white manufacturing workers in South Africa. The British

Amalgamated Society of Engineers The Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE) was a major British trade union, representing factory workers and mechanics. History The history of the union can be traced back to the formation of the Journeymen Steam Engine, Machine Makers' and M ...

established its first branch in South Africa in 1886, and in 1893 its South Africa branches became a distinct section of the union. It remained affiliated to its British parent as it became part of the

Amalgamated Engineering Union The Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU) was a major United Kingdom, British trade union. It merged with the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbing Union to form the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union in 1992. History ...

, but while the British union began accepting all workers, regardless of perceived skill level, the South African section remained a

craft union Craft unionism refers to a model of trade unionism in which workers are organised based on the particular craft or trade in which they work. It contrasts with industrial unionism, in which all workers in the same industry are organized into the s ...

of higher-paid workers. In 1957, the union became independent. At the time, it was affiliated to the

Trade Union Council of South Africa The Trade Union Council of South Africa (TUCSA) was a national trade union federation in South Africa. History The council was founded in October 1954 by 61 unions which split from the South African Trades and Labour Council. They decided that on ...

, but it objected when that federation began accepting unions of black workers, and left in 1965. In 1976, the union formed the South African Central Labour Organisation with the

South African Footplate Staff Association The South African Footplate Staff Association (SAFSA) was a trade union representing white railway workers in South Africa. The union was founded in 1905, as the Locomotive Engineers' Mutual Aid Society. It was initially focused on the Cape, but ...

, but it proved unsuccessful, and dissolved in 1982. By 1980, it had a membership of 34,065. In 1982, the union was expelled from the

International Metalworkers' Federation The International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) was a global union federation of metalworkers' trade unions, founded in Zürich, Switzerland in August 1893. the IMF had more than 200 member organisations in 100 countries, representing a combine ...

on the request of the

Federation of South African Trade Unions The Federation of South African Trade Unions (FOSATU) was a trade union federation in South Africa. History The federation was formed at a congress over the weekend of 14–15 April 1979 in Hammanskraal and officially launched five days l ...

, for complying with apartheid. By 1995, it was down to 20,000 members, on 1 August, it merged with the

Engineering, Industrial and Mining Workers' Union The Engineering Industrial Workers' Union (EIWU) was a trade union representing engineering workers in South Africa. The Iron and Steel and Metal Workers' Union became the No 5 branch of the Amalgamated Engineering Union of South Africa (AEU) in ...

, the

Iron Moulders' Society of South Africa The Iron Moulders' Society of South Africa (IMS) was a trade union representing metalworkers in South Africa. The union was founded in 1896. It was strongly focused on the rights of white workers, and sought to exclude others from working as mou ...

, and the

South African Boilermakers' Society The South African Boilermakers', Iron and Steel Workers', Shipbuilders' and Welders' Society (SABS) was a trade union representing metalworkers and shipbuilders in South Africa. History The union was established in 1916. Many of its founding mem ...

, to form the

National Employees' Trade Union The National Employees' Trade Union (NETU) was a trade union representing workers in various industries, principally relating to engineering, in South Africa. The union was founded on 1 August 1995, when the Amalgamated Engineering Union of South ...

.{{cite book , last1=Steenkamp , first1=C. L. , title=THE RESTRUCTURING PROCESS OF THE SAMANCOR MANGANESE MINES (MAY 2000 -JUNE 2001) , date=2004 , publisher=North West University , location=Potchefstroom

Presidents

:1949: Ray Budd :1974: J. E. Faure :1980s: A. T. Allen

References

Engineering trade unions Trade unions established in 1893 Trade unions disestablished in 1995 Trade unions in South Africa 1893 establishments in South Africa 1995 disestablishments in South Africa