[1] In 1981, the union had organised itself into divisions unionising labour in the chemical, sweets, beverage, transport, and other industries.
[1] The union refused to register with the Government of South Africa as required by the Labour Relations Act.
[1] It quickly developed strength in East London, where it recruited both employed and unemployed workers.
By 1982, most of its leadership had been detained by the country's security forces, including general secretary Sam Kikine.
Its remaining leaders fell into conflict with one another, and the union declined.