Industrial and Commercial Workersā Union
Quick Summary
The Industrial and Commercial Workersā Union (ICU) was a significant trade union in South Africa, founded in 1920 by Clements Kadalie. Initially representing dockworkers in Cape Town, the ICU rapidly grew into a mass movement, extending its reach to both urban and rural areas. At its peak, the ICU claimed around 100,000 members and had branches in neighboring regions like Southern Rhodesia and South West Africa. However, by 1929, the union had largely disintegrated. Following the ICU's decline, the Communist Party of South Africa began organizing Black workers.1
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Southern AfricaPolitical organizations and trade unionsā¦a Nyasaland migrant, founded the Industrial and Commercial Workersā Union (ICU). Initially consisting of dockworkers in Cape Town, the ICU spread rapidly as a mass movement in the towns and in the countryside, where those who had been evicted responded with millenarian zeal to its message. At its height theā¦
Read Moreā¦a Nyasaland migrant, founded the Industrial and Commercial Workersā Union (ICU). Initially consisting of dockworkers in Cape Town, the ICU spread rapidly as a mass movement in the towns and in the countryside, where those who had been evicted responded with millenarian zeal to its message. At its height theā¦
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South AfricaThe Pact years (1924ā33)ā¦mass-based Black political organization, the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), flourished in response to deteriorating conditions. Until 1926 the ICU was a Cape-based organization with Black and some Coloured members drawn mainly from urban areas. As a broadly based vehicle of rural protest, it had many thousands of supportersā¦
Read Moreā¦mass-based Black political organization, the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), flourished in response to deteriorating conditions. Until 1926 the ICU was a Cape-based organization with Black and some Coloured members drawn mainly from urban areas. As a broadly based vehicle of rural protest, it had many thousands of supportersā¦
Read More