Collective Bargaining as Strategy for Developing Sound Labour Management Relation
(a Case Study of Edo State Water Corporation)
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
The general purpose of this study is to ascertain the place of collective bargaining as a strategy for developing sound labour management relations in Edo state water corporation with the following specific objectives in focus:
- To examine collective bargaining practice in Edo State water corporation.
- To find out the feelings of workers towards their working conditions.
- To evaluate the benefits to the corporation through the use of collective bargaining.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
This chapter will examine issues concerning an overview of the place under study, public policy on collective bargaining in Nigeria, the scope of collective bargaining, labour management interaction, preparation for negotiation, industrial dispute settlement in Nigeria, conditions for effective bargaining, collective bargaining structure and the benefit of collective bargaining.
The Concept of Collective Bargaining
This chapter reviews as published by scholars, and practitioners of industrial and labour relations, the extent to which collective bargaining is being practiced in Nigeria public sector.
According to Adamolekun (1987), collective bargaining is the negotiation about working conditions and terms employment between an employers, a group of employers or one or more employers’ organization on one hand and one or more representative workers’ organization on the other hand with a view to reaching an agreement He saw collective bargaining as an alternative to industrial bargaining. It covers all arrangement collectively through employees and employers representatives.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter takes care of the research design and procedure for carrying out the study which include: area of the study, sources and method of data collection, population of the study, sample and sampling techniques, validation of the instrument and method of data analysis.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
Introduction
In this chapter, the results of the study were presented for analysis and interpretation A total of forty-four (44) copies of questionnaire were distributed and forty copies were retuned and used for analysis.
The results were presented in the table provided. The discussion on each research question is based on the data collected.
This chapter has been arranged according to the objective of the study. Each study objective form a sub-heading in this chapter under which all data pertaining to it have been collected and discussed.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary of the Findings
From the findings, collective bargaining strategies had brought about peace and stability in the corporation. This has greatly reduce the threat of potential disrupts of work and hence increase the productivity of the corporation and the organizational stability. This will as well lead to increase in the quality of work offered by the workers.
Collective bargaining strategies had helped the corporation in achieving its goals effectively. These goals are either institutional or economic which had contributed in expanding the bargaining power of the union and consequently increase the wages and better condition of services to the workers. Management could also exercise a reasonable level of control on the workers.
Collective bargaining strategies enhanced the corporation ability to create understanding and cooperation among workers and management. This will however reduce the number of conflict occurring in the corporation and help the organization to implement its policies peacefully.
Finally, collective bargaining strategies are very important to any organization because its helps in promoting the corporate image of the corporation. This will help the organization to have an edge over its competitors.
Summary of the Study
A careful study of this research titled “Collective Bargaining as a strategy for developing sound Labour Management Relations in Edo State Water Corporation” shows that Edo State Water Corporation had benefited immensely from its adoption.
The Edo State Water Corporation is known for its remarkable peace and stability; this has increased the corporations speed in performing its functions compared to other corporations though, the corporation is owned by the state, it showed its ability to maintain understanding and co-operation among workers and management. The number of strikes had reduced drastically and hence decreases the level of conflicts in the corporation.
This research has shown that the corporation has been able to accomplish its set goals through effective collective bargaining strategies. Also both the senior and junior staff had enjoyed subsequent increase in their wages and better condition of service since the inception of the corporation.
Conclusion
On the basis of the findings, the following conclusions were reached. Despite the corporation understanding of the benefits and the need to use collective bargaining in order to develop sound labour management relations, it was not fully practiced.
Although, the workers do not enjoy the working conditions adequately, they feel comfortable with it due to the interpersonal relationship that cordially exists among them, and the negotiable opportunity that exist between the labour and management of the corporation.
With the full utilization of collective bargaining in developing sound labour management relation, the corporation will optionally achieve her goals, in the sense that workers will be freely and willingly disposed to put in their best effort as their demands and need are fully met.
Workers and experts in this field should be invited as resource persons. In doing this, both the Labour and management would be acquainted with the nature, scope arid limit of labour management relations.
The government should encourage the use of collective bargaining in the public sector in order to curb the problem of labour management relations which will in turn boost the morale of the workers.
Suggestions for Further Research
The importance of water to man cannot be over emphasized. The Edo State Water Corporation was created like in other states to provide clean and portable water to the populace and to fulfill this goal; there is the need for sound labour management relations in this section through the use of positive fetching principles known as collective bargaining strategy. This means that when two heads are joined in making decision, the possibility is that they can achieve more goals than one person, thus, the research suggest the following areas for further research.
- A comparative analysis of collective bargaining in private and public sectors of Nigeria economy.
- The role of labour unions in achieving harmonious work relations between labour and management.
Recommendations
These recommendations through my not be all that the Edo State Water Corporation need or require to boost the collective bargaining strategy. It is based on empirical and theoretical data collected during the research. Thus, the recommendations are as follows;
- The government should encourage the use of collective bargaining in the public sector in order to curb the problem of labour management relations which will in turn boos the morale of the workers.
- Management representatives should see collective bargaining as one method of attaining corporate objectives relating to pay and conduct of employee’s relations.
- Personnel workers and experts in this field should be invited as resource persons. In doing this, both the labour and management would be acquainted with the nature, scope and limit of labour management relations.
- For collective bargaining to succeed, both management and union must accept it as an independent democratic institution, capable of holding its own as well as improving the fortunes of both workforce and the enterprise in which they work.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Adamolekun, A. (1987). Collective Bargaining 2nd Edition, New York: McGraw, Hill.
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- Cole, G.A. (1997). Personnel Management Theory and Practice, 4th Edition, Lagos. Lagos Academic Press.
- Dafe, O. (1980). Nigeria Journal of Economic and Social Studies on Collective Bargaining Lagos, Vinto Mm Printer.
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- Lash, M. (2004). Industrial Relations, Issues and Discussion, School of Public Administration and Vocational Studies; 1st Edition, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
