The Labour Relations Act (LRA) makes provision for the setting up of bargaining councils for each of the major sectors in South Africa. The bargaining councils consist of representatives from the major unions and employer groups within each of the sectors and their main purpose is to reach consensus on terms and conditions of their specific industries. The terms and conditions agreed on by the councils are contained in a collective or main agreement. The Main Agreement allows each sector to develop - through consensus between labour and employers - terms and conditions that are appropriate to that sector. The LRA contains certain guidelines and provisions for the setting up of a bargaining council. The unions and employer groups in the council should respectively represent the majority of workers and employers in the sector. Once a collective agreement has been agreed on, it is gazetted by the Minister of Labour. Its terms then extend to all of the workers and employers ...