This programme traces the regent history of the progressive trade union movement in South Africa. Starting with the Durban strike of 1973 and the founding of FOSATU a few years later, it follows the fight for recognition right up to the launch of the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions in December 1985 and culminates in the scrapping of the Labour Relations Amendments Act. In the process it highlights some of the most prominent strikes during this time, as well as examples of the state action against the union movement. Cyril Ramaphosa, Chris Dlamini, Jay Naidoo , Marcel Golding and others are among the former trade union officials interviewed.