AN APPRAISAL OF THE ROLE OF TRADE UNIONISM ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC SECTORS IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
This subject of labour unrest has been a characteristic feature in Nigeria. “The question often asked is whether trade Unions are necessities of another colonial legacy which length to be retrained out of expediency. This research work therefore focused on the impact of trade Unionism and growth of public sector organizations in Nigeria. A case study ASUP, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba chapter.
To justify the topic, the researcher consulted relevant textbooks on the topic as well as researches conducted by other researchers. Again, to be abreast of relevant event or development, the Internet was explored, and newspapers were consulted.
The researcher found out that trade unions are necessary for harmonious working relationship and industrial peaces in organizations and the society at large.
This is to say where industrial Union exists, it may not at all be possible for the employer to always turn down employers interest and request.
Therefore, the researcher concluded that trade unions are to the employees’ necessity, to the government a design, to society an accident and to the management expediency.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background Of The Study
1.2 Statement Of The Research Problem
1.3 Objections Of The Study
1.4 Significance Of The Study
1.5 Theoretical Framework
1.6 Essential Hypothesis
1.7 Limitation And Scope Of The Study
1.8 Clarification Of Concepts
Chapter Two
Literature Review
2.0 Introduction
2.1 History Of Trade Union In Nigeria
2.2 Registration Of Trade Unions
2.3 Benefits Of Registration
2.4 Objectives Of Trade Union
2.5 Functions Of Trade Union
2.6 Problems Of Trade Union In Nigeria
2.7 Some Forms Industrial/Trade Union Action:
2. 8 Causes Of Strike In Nigeria.
2.9 Trade/Industrial Dispute
2.10 Cause Of Industrial Conflict (Trade Dispute)
2.11 Dispute Settlement Procedures
2.12 Summary Of Literature Review.
Chapter Three
Research Methodology
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research Design
3.3 Area Of Study Achievement/Policies Of Asup In Abia State Polytechnic
3.4 Population Of The Study
3.5 Sample
3.6 Method Of Data Analysis.
3.7 Method Of Data Collection
3.8 Instrument Of Data Collection.
CHAPETER FOUR
Data Analysis
Chapter Five
Summary And Conclusion
5.1 Summary Of The Study
Restatement Of Research Problem Purpose Of Study
Summary Of Finding
LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
5.2 RECOMMENDATION
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.2 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Trade Union is an association formed to regulate the terms and conditions of employment of workers. Before 1938 when trade union ordinance ushered in formal trade union activities, what looked like trade unions were in Nigeria in form of trade associations, craft and professional trade association called African Guilds and Craft Association.
The major difference between the craft and professional trade association has what is today known as trade Union is that trade associations were formed for the benefit of workers inform of lending money to workers an exchange of tools. The association had welfare scheme of distressed members and attend social functions of members (Okenwa 2001:10)
Yesufu (1962:6) observed that group activities of the sort being deserved were strongly rooted in the tribal structures and were widely spread. The main functions of the trade associations were to organize mutual aid to distressed members and to regulate trade practices.
Some of the trade and professional associations that existed before formal trade union Movement were: mechanic Mutual aid, Artisans and laborers in the public works department (PWD) 1887, the Nigeria civil service union 1912. Nigeria Native railway Native staff union. 1919, etc . Trade Union activities later increased due to some reasons such as: The 1938 Trade Union ordinance. The General Defense Regulation, 1942, the General Strike of 1945 and other factors too numerous to mention.
Presently in Nigeria, we have industrial union of teachers (NUT), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) etc.
In the past two decades, there have been incessant industrial action in Nigeria due to agitations for better conditions of services by the trade unions. Most at time, the Government does not always reach at agreement with them thereby leading to strike always. A strike can be devastating as it could cripple the nerve of the country’s economy. The increment of fuel price from N45 to N52 by President Olusegun Obasanjo Administration let to four (4) day strike that lasted between 11th-14th October, 2004 which brought economic activities to a stand still. But after much negotiation between the Nigeria Labour congress (NLC) President comrade Adams Oshomole and the federal Government of Nigeria the price was brought down to N49 per liter.
Also presently the academic staff union of Universities (ASSU) went on strike on the 22nd oi June 2009 in line of the failure of the federal government to sign the agreement reached with them on December 2008. Despite the influence of trade union in Nigeria, there have been strike upon strike , why?
In an attempt to answer this question, this work is set out to find out if trade unionism has really aided the growth of public sector organizations in Nigeria Using the Academic staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Abia State Polytechnic, Aba as a case study
STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
This project work dwells on Trade Unionism and the growth of public sector organizations in Nigeria. A case study of Abia State Polytechnic (ASUP), Aba chapter. The study reviews and projects it looks at attempts by trade unions to improved work performance.
Trade Union focuses on the quality of their employees work life, therefore will sought better ways to motivate employees, make decision, allocate power and promote team work all in attempt to enhance performance.
In many organizations, monetary and non-monetary motivational factors are applied on the employees to increased greater performance.
In consideration of this, the problem is to find out whether trade union in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba takes care of things like:
Measuring of standard of functionality and reliability covering the quality of work life of the staff. Revelation of better ways of doing things such as employee’s motivation welfare decision-making. To determine to what extent of which the activities of trade union are reliable ways through which an organization can grow. The reactions of trade unions in time of dispute.
OBJECTIONS OF THE STUDY
The roles of trade unions cannot be over emphasized in any organization. The main purpose of this research work is to analyze and evaluate if there is actually any relationship between trade unionism and the growth if public sector organization in Nigeria with special references to Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics. Based on this main purpose of the study, the following objective are drawn:
1. To identify how the activities of Trade Union affects the performance of employees in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.
2. To expose how much the management of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba could use trade Union as a tool for enhancing organization growth.
3. To determine to what extent trade union enhances the job security of its members in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.
4. To evaluation how trade union has been able to settle dispute in the organization
5. to make relevant recommendations on the improvement of organizational growth in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.
6. To determine to what extent non-monetary motivation like education has enhanced organizational growth.
7. To determine the extent the trade Union has inputs capacity development programmes to improve organizational growth in the school
