The Academics' Association has for many years grappled with the question of continuing as an association, or changing their status into a formally registered union, in terms of the Labour Relations Act, no 66 of 1995. After canvassing their members' views in their 2007 Annual General Meeting, the decision was finally taken to register as a trade union. An AGM held on 28 May 2008 formally agreed to the dissolution of the AA, and the transfer of all its assets to the newly-formed UCT Academics' Union.

The University Executive, with the assistance of the Human Resources Department has engaged in discussions with the Executive of the UCTAU to determine their new relationship going forward. As a result of these discussions, the parties have now agreed that the UCTAU be formally recognised as bargaining agent for employees on academic conditions of service. In reaching this decision, the University Executive presumed that the membership of all members of the former UCT Academics' Associations has been carried over to the UCTAU, unless an academic employee advises the University's Human Resources Department to the contrary.

Issues pertaining to the precise definition of the bargaining unit for which the University will recognise the UCTAU are still the subject of discussion, and will very likely be finalised when the parties conclude a formal Recognition Agreement.