N.U.L.A.W is affiliated to the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA). We are the largest union in the footwear and leather industry in South Africa.

N.U.L.A.W was founded in 1924 but formally registered with the Department of Labour then on 16 March 1926. N.U.L.A.W is a founding member of the National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry of South Africa. N.U.L.A.W concluded the first wage negotiations with employer parties in 1927 under the auspices of the bargaining council.

An industry Sick Benefit Fund was concluded between the union an employer parties in 1942 and the Leather Industry provident Fund was formed in 1943 with the first agreement published in 1946. N.U.L.AW has a rich history of collective bargaining and establishment of benefit funds to provide social benefits to workers in the leather industry.