What is the South African Labour Bulletin (SALB)?
SALB is one of the oldest anti-apartheid labour-centred magazine. The first issue of the magazine was published in April 1974, by the Institute for Industrial Education in Durban. The impetus for the formation of SALB was a need to focus on the field of industrial relations post the 1973 Durban Strikes. Its aim was to publish topics concerning worker organisations, research being undertaken in South Africa into problems of industrial relations, and articles of general interest to trade unionists and workers. Over the years, the SALB has grown and has had to broaden its focus to also cover issues that are happening in the communities and globally. SALB has also become a platform for progressive debates on ideas that seek to address poverty, gender, inequality, and unemployment. The SALB is published quarterly, with each issue, focusing on key issues decided by the managing editor with the aid of the board members, editorial team, and research interns.
The Labour Bulletin continues to provide innovative analysis for its stakeholders and audiences. This analysis explores alternatives aimed at improving the lives of the working class and the communities in which they live. The SALB forms part of critical media with its audience being the working class, activists, the trade union federations, international trade union confederations, African labour organisations, regional bodies, sector education and training authorities and bargaining councils, government departments, labour support organisations, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, media organisations, higher education institutions (including libraries) , and individuals.
Invitation to contribute to the SALB
The SALB invites contribution. Articles are invited on any area that is related to workers. The SALB editions focus on a theme. The information on themes is found on the Call to Articles page on this website.
Quick Guide to Requirements for Submission
- The introduction should briefly highlight the critical issues discussed in the article.
- Short articles, short paragraphs, short sentences.
- Short subheading within articles to guide reading.
- Try avoiding over-reliance on academic terminology. If specialised terminology is used e.g. neoliberalism, precarity, etc… try to explain the meaning briefly.
- Give full names of the organisation followed by the acronym in brackets. Thereafter use acronym alone.
- Avoid the passive voice wherever possible and use active voice e.g. ‘The police shot the workers’ not ‘The workers were shot’ i.e. attribute agency.
- Choose images that illustrate content and use a caption that clarifies content. If the article refers to places readers may not know, use a map.
- Keep references to a minimum of three use Harvard style.
Content
The Bulletin is divided into following themes and potential authors are encouraged to choose any theme:
- In the Workplace covers issues related to the workplace. The working and living conditions of the workers. The struggles they go through. This includes policies that affect workers.
- In the Union covers what is happening in the trade union. What are the forms of organising that are emerging? What are the union policies and response to certain problems faced by its members? Who are the leaders of the unions and their ideas? Therefore, this section covers the structure of the union, its policies, and its membership.
- In the Community covers problems that are happening in communities and how communities are responding to those problems.
- Across the globe covers international issues. The international issue segment is a supplement to the key theme of what is happening in South Africa or the key theme of the issue.
- After work focuses beyond the workplaces or work.
- In the past looks at historical events as well as their significance.
Authors are encouraged to keep articles short which is less than 1800 words. This includes images and any form of illustrations. Book reviews and Unlocking Labour Laws (which is a section that analyses labour laws) should be pages at 1200 words. An occasional longer article is allowed and the word limit is 2400 words.
Author information
Please provide a profile picture of yourself and a three to five line bio.