Blackwell Reference Online

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Charles Harris, a white unionist of Jewish descent, began to work in the mining industry in 1914 as a developer, including at the Randfontein Estates, Luipaardsvlei, and Robinson Deep gold mines. He was involved with the South African Mineworkers' Union (SAMWU), and served on the executive of the South African Industrial Federation alongside figures like Archie Crawford. After the 1922 Rand Revolt, he was blacklisted on the mines for four years. Harris subsequently rose quickly in SAMWU, becoming its general-secretary. There were allegations of irregularities during his election, and a great deal of controversy and dissatisfaction with his management style throughout his tenure. He forged the office of general-secretary into a powerful and almost untouchable position of authority, virtually becoming dictator of SAMWU. Among the methods used were irregular measures to alter the union's constitution, the falsification of minutes, rigged elections, and, in several cases, violence against dissidents. The Harris administration was dogged by rumors of gross mismanagement and by widespread corruption. While the gold mines boomed and workloads increased in the 1930s and early 1940s, real wages for many whites on the mines remained static or declined. Harris was insulated from rising dissatisfaction in the ranks by his autocracy and SAMWU's shop agreement with the Chamber of Mines from 1937: ... log in or subscribe to read full text