, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE ONLY
(a) Identify the nature of the action taken by members of WEA and the requirements that must
be met for that action to be protected.
The action taken by members of the Wood Employees Association (WEA) is a form of industrial
action, which is defined as a collective refusal to work to support a cause or defend socio-economic
interests (McGregor, 2025: 221). For this action to be protected, certain conditions must be met
under the Labour Relations Act (LRA). These include the requirement for the action to be authorised
by a registered trade union, to be in pursuit of a dispute that qualifies as an interest dispute (i.e., a
demand for new rights or benefits), and the dispute must have gone through the necessary procedural
steps. This involves giving notice and following dispute resolution procedures, such as conciliation
and possibly arbitration, before proceeding with the action (McGregor, 2025: 222).
(b) Discuss the requirements that would have to be complied with if members of WEA were to
embark on a protected picket.
If members of WEA were to embark on a protected picket, the following requirements must be
complied with to ensure the protection of the picket under the LRA: The picket must be authorised
by a registered trade union, and it must be peaceful, with no violent or coercive behaviour. The union
should provide written notice to the employer about the picket’s time, location, and conduct. The
picket should support a protected strike or oppose a protected or unprotected lock-out (McGregor,
2025: 243). Furthermore, the union must ensure that the picket is conducted lawfully by appointing
marshals and ensuring that no unlawful actions, such as intimidation or damage to property, take
place during the picket (McGregor, 2025: 244).
(a) Identify the nature of the action taken by members of WEA and the requirements that must
be met for that action to be protected.
The action taken by members of the Wood Employees Association (WEA) is a form of industrial
action, which is defined as a collective refusal to work to support a cause or defend socio-economic
interests (McGregor, 2025: 221). For this action to be protected, certain conditions must be met
under the Labour Relations Act (LRA). These include the requirement for the action to be authorised
by a registered trade union, to be in pursuit of a dispute that qualifies as an interest dispute (i.e., a
demand for new rights or benefits), and the dispute must have gone through the necessary procedural
steps. This involves giving notice and following dispute resolution procedures, such as conciliation
and possibly arbitration, before proceeding with the action (McGregor, 2025: 222).
(b) Discuss the requirements that would have to be complied with if members of WEA were to
embark on a protected picket.
If members of WEA were to embark on a protected picket, the following requirements must be
complied with to ensure the protection of the picket under the LRA: The picket must be authorised
by a registered trade union, and it must be peaceful, with no violent or coercive behaviour. The union
should provide written notice to the employer about the picket’s time, location, and conduct. The
picket should support a protected strike or oppose a protected or unprotected lock-out (McGregor,
2025: 243). Furthermore, the union must ensure that the picket is conducted lawfully by appointing
marshals and ensuring that no unlawful actions, such as intimidation or damage to property, take
place during the picket (McGregor, 2025: 244).
