This Day in History: 5 June 1988
At its Special Congress in May, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) called for three days of national protest against the Labour Relations Amendment Bill (LRA) and restrictions on political organisations. The bill sought to curb the growing union movement and undermine gains made by workers since the 1970s. Cosatu's call led to the largest stay-away (5 - 7 June) up to that time in South African labour history and exceeded all expectations.
On the first day, between 2.5 and three million workers stayed away. Though support in some areas dropped on the second and third days, it was considered as the country's first three-day national stay-away.
Notwithstanding fierce opposition from major union federations, the act came into force on 1 September 1988.