I have a bit of basic knowledge of labour law and processes, however, when my wife recently referred a matter to the ccma, I was not allowed to represent her. She doesn't belong to a union either. As a result she was steamrollered by the employer rep in a case that she should have won the award easily. My question is; how do employees get representation if they're not union members? I'm sure there are thousands who won't even refer a case since it is so daunting & intimidating if you don't have knowledge or experience. In my wife's case the commission didn't take these facts into consideration & the emp rep & commissioner were on first name basis.