Furniture Bargaining Council Furniture Bargaining Council Back to Home

Council’s Purpose

The Furniture Bargaining Council exists to administer benefits and funds, oversee compliance and enforcement, facilitate collective bargaining, and help ensure fair and uniform conditions of employment across the industry.

The Purpose of the Furniture Bargaining Council

This section outlines the role of the Council, the legal framework within which it operates, and the practical benefits it provides to both employers and employees in the industry.

The main functions of the Furniture Bargaining Council (FBC) are the oversight of overall funds and benefits administration, compliance, enforcement and exemption in respect of the various collective agreements concluded within its jurisdiction. Through collective agreements, the Council ensures uniform conditions of employment and wages for all companies within the Furniture, Bedding and Upholstery Industry.

Our bargaining council is an effective mechanism for the facilitation of collective bargaining between party employer organisations and party trade unions with minimal disruption to this industry. Registered establishments and their employees are encouraged to join one of the employer associations or trade unions that are party to this bargaining council. In doing so, their views on labour matters in the industry can be discussed and considered within the bargaining council forums.

In terms of section 27 of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act 66 of 1995), as amended, one or more registered employers’ organisations may establish a bargaining council for a specific sector and area.

The bargaining council must adopt a constitution that meets the requirements of section 30 of the Act and must forthwith obtain registration with the Department of Labour in terms of section 29 of the Act.

In terms of clause 1 of our Main Collective Agreement (MCA), the terms of such agreement shall be observed by all employees for whom wages are prescribed, the employers of such employees, and any learners under the Skills Development Act, 1998.

Why the Council matters

Our bargaining council’s role is that of monitoring compliance with the agreed minimum conditions of employment, and this monitoring of compliance can provide some degree of assurance that the majority of industry employers operate in an environment of fair competition.

To Employers (Establishments)

  • Facilitation of collective bargaining.
  • Standard conditions of employment applicable to all establishments in the industry.
  • Access to agents who are knowledgeable about the collective agreements.
  • Time-efficient dispute resolution service.

To Employees

  • Minimum wages, benefits and conditions of employment applicable to the entire Furniture, Bedding and Upholstery Industry.
  • Assured confidentiality in the handling of queries and complaints.
  • Access to agents who are knowledgeable about the collective agreements.
  • Inexpensive and easy-to-use dispute resolution service.