A major change in the South African trade union balance took place with the establishment of a new trade union federation with over 515 000 members. The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) was established on 1 April 1997 by the amalgamation of two federations, namely Federation of South African Labour Unions (FEDSAL) and Federation of Organisations Representing Civil Employees (FORCE). FEDUSA’s establishment is very closely related to the fact that a growing number of employees from all walks of life felt the need for a much stronger, party-politically independent, non racial and stable trade union federation with unions who can advance the interests of employees and of the economy of South Africa in an independent and responsible manner.