Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Literature and Philosophy in the subject sociology at the University of South Africa. This thesis is an examination of the main tendencies in the trade union movement in South Africa during the currency of the Industrial Conciliation Act from 1924 to 1979, and of state labour policy of direct relevance to worker organisation. It considers in particular the reasons for the predominance of protectionist strategies, frequently amounting to racial monopolies and exclusion, among the unions catering for white artisan and production workers. Attention is given to the deployment of legislative and other policy instruments by the South African state intent on providing support for the large sections of the trade union movement. In analysing these developments, reference is made to the history of the trade union federations reflections reflecting the divergent interests of different sections of the South African labour movement during this period.