The South African Engine Drivers' and Firemen's Association (SAEDFA) 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 people involved in operating engines in

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

. The union was founded in 1895 in the

Transvaal Transvaal is a historical geographic term associated with land north of (''i.e.'', beyond) the Vaal River in South Africa. A number of states and administrative divisions have carried the name Transvaal. * South African Republic (1856–1902; af, ...

, and its membership was originally based in the mines. In 1902, Peter Whiteside was elected as its general secretary. The union affiliated to the

South African Trades Union Congress The South African Trades Union Congress (TUC) was a national trade union federation in South Africa. The council was established in 1924, as the South African Association of Employees' Organisations. It was founded at a special congress, held afte ...

, and by 1926 had 1,230 members. The union affiliated to the

South African Trades and Labour Council The South African Trades and Labour Council (SAT&LC) was a national trade union federation in South Africa. History The federation was founded in 1930, when the South African Trades Union Council merged with the Cape Federation of Labour Unions. ...

in the early 1940s, and by 1947 had 2,616 members. However, it resigned in 1951 to join the right-wing split, the

South African Federation of Trade Unions The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) is a trade union federation in South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the s ...

(SAFTU). By 1962, it had 4,538 members. SAFTU became part of the

South African Confederation of Labour The South African Confederation of Labour (SACOL) was a national trade union federation of white workers in South Africa. History The federation was established in 1957, as a loose body bringing together the South African Federation of Trade Unions ...

, and by 1980, the union, with 7,000 members, had lengthened its name to the South African Engine Drivers', Firemen's and Operators' Association.{{cite book , last1=Miller , first1=Shirley , title=Trade Unions in South Africa 1970-1980: a directory and statistics , date=1982 , publisher=Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit , location=Cape Town , isbn=0799204692 In 1990, the union merged into 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 ...

.''Annual Report of the Chamber of Mines'' (1990), p.39

References

Engine operators' trade unions Trade unions established in 1895 Trade unions disestablished in 1990 Trade unions in South Africa