The Paper, Wood and Allied Workers' Union (PWAWU) was a trade union representing workers in various related industries in South Africa. The union was founded on 31 May 1974 in

Springs, Transvaal Springs is a former independent city that is now part of the City of Ekurhuleni, based in the east of Johannesburg (East Rand), in Gauteng Province, South Africa. It lies 50 km (31 mi) east of Johannesburg and 72 km (45 mi) ...

, with the assistance of the Urban Training Project. It represented workers in the paper and pulp, paper printing and packaging, wood, sawmills and furniture industries. Although it initially had only 100 members, it grew steadily. It joined the Consultative Committee, but resigned in 1978. In 1979, it was a founding affiliate 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 ...

, and by 1981 it had 8,300 members. The union was a founding affiliate of the

Congress of South African Trade Unions The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is 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 ...

in 1985. In October 1987, the union absorbed the small Printing and Allied Workers' Union, and was renamed as the Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union (PPWAWU). By 1993, it had about 30,000 members. In 1999, it merged with the

Chemical Workers' Industrial Union The Chemical Workers' Industrial Union (CWIU) was a trade union representing workers in chemical and related industries in South Africa. History The union was founded on 24 November 1974, on the initiative of the General Factory Workers' Benefit ...

, to form the

Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union The Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union (CEPPWAWU) is a trade union representing workers in various industries in South Africa. The union was formed through the merger of the Chemical Workers' Industrial Union (CW ...

General Secretaries

*1974: Benjy Mngoma *P. Malaza *1980s: Refiloe Ndzutha *1987: Jeremy Baskin *1980s: Sipho Kubheka *1990s: Bengeza Mthombeni

References

Defunct trade unions in South Africa 1974 establishments in South Africa 1999 disestablishments in South Africa Trade unions established in 1974 Trade unions disestablished in 1999 Springs, Gauteng {{SouthAfrica-trade-union-stub