Exploring the effect of military leadership on the role of public sector trade unions : the South African Navy Fleet Command Headquarters case

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY : The advent of democracy brought about many unprecedented changes to the leadership of the South African Public Service, more specifically the South African Navy Fleet Command Headquarters. Simultaneously, from a labour relations perspective, this era also signified increased worker rights for public service employees in the work place. However, leadership within this military domain given its inherent unique complexities, operates differently from the broader Public Service, comprising both Defence Act Personnel (DAP) and Public Service Act Personnel (PSAP), also known as Defence Civilians.Subsequently, defence civilians in this setting have shown much dissatisfaction in the way they are represented by their trade unions (PSA and NEHAWU) and also in the way that they are treated by the senior military leadership. These employees hold perceptions that they do not belong fully and, furthermore, that there is no synergy between the military leadership and trade unions.This conclusion was largely based on perceptions, as this paradigm had remained largely unexplored, with little to no empirical evidence available to support it. It was for this reason that an exploratory study was initiated; it was necessary to discover the true effect, if any, that the current military leadership style has on the ability of trade unions to perform their roles within this milieu.A qualitative strategy was employed for suitable flexibility. In order to better corroborate and extrapolate the findings of this study, primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus groups, thus forming a mutual relationship with the secondary data available, such as legislation and policies.Subsequently, the findings asserted that the current autocratic leadership style that the Fleet Command employs, does impact negatively on the role of these trade unions. Equally important, was the finding that defence civilians were dissatisfied with the way leadership treated and exluded them. Evidence was found of the distrust in the ability of their union representatives to represent them properly.Despite evidential challenges, it is considered within the realm of possibility that Fleet Command, through collaboration and teamwork, may galvanise all parties to work successfully towards an approach to strengthen this tripartite relationship, as envisioned by Defence Review 2015. By promoting the 'One Force concept, the tripartite collective will be reinforced, not only in the Fleet, but in the broader Navy, where it is much needed as well.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University