CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background of
the student
According to
Hanson (1966), the existence of trade unions and employer’s association is therefore,
useful to the state if discussions with representatives of an organization are
necessary. Though, many other matters are often the subject and employer’s and their
associations with employees and their unions dispute, between these two bodies
is wages. He further explained that the trade unions were often over-anxious to
support their claims for increased wages by taking collective action against
the employers by calling for strike. The
unions however, found the strike to be a double- edged weapon because the
employers were able to retaliate by a lockout, if the union refused to accept a
reduction in wages. However, the strike came to be recognized mainly as a weapon
of last resort to be used only when negotiations have failed and dead lock has
been reached. The success of collective bargaining however depends on the willingness
of each side to accept and honour any
agreement made on their behalf by their representatives.
In the Nigerian handbook, it is
revealed that the 1st central labour organization, the Trade union
congress (TUC) was formed in 1943 but is was followed in 1950 by the Nigerian
labour congress (NLC) which was launched to unite the opposing labour factions
into which the TUC had broken. Surprisingly, the all Nigerian trade union
federation (ANTUF) was also born in 1953 while the 2nd trade union
congress spring up in 1959. After all, representatives of trade unions from all
over the country had met to iron out there differences. The united labour
congress (ULC) was launched in Ibadon, Oyo state in 1962. On the same day, a
rival central labour organization independent united congress (IULC) was
formed. Between 1962 and 1964, the formation of more labour unions continued unabated
and antagonisms remained in these labour forces until government intervention
led to the formation of the Nigerian labour congress (NLC) in December 1975.
Despite the formation of the new central labour organization election of
officers for the congress, did not reflect its oneness as its past ideological
bickering continued and the situation made it difficult for the government to
have strong organization with which to deal. This made it necessary for the
government to take control of the administration of the trade unions through
the promulgation of Decree no. 44 of December 19, 1975. The decree, promulgated
by the Murtala /Obasanjo Military Regime, stipulate among others that the
registration of the four central labour organizations has been cancelled.
Anybody, other than an appointed administrator who forms a central labour
organization in the country may go to jail for two years or pay a fine of
N2000. The administrator to be appointed by the federal commissioner for labour
will perform the duties of the trade unions or any advisory body set up by the
federal military government. He will promote the education of members of trade
unions in the field of labour relations and related fields
1.2
Statement of the
problem
In spite of the
problem of disunity that confronted the early labour movement in the country,
Trade unions constantly fight vigorously for workers’ demands. In 1945 for
instance, the railway, postal and government technical workers went on general
strike to press in their demands for wages increase. The strike paralyzed
transport and communication systems nationwide and brought labour leaders like Mike
Imodu, Wahab Goodluck, Alhaji Adebok, etc, into the limelight in the labour
circle. The strike however, achieved little perhaps due to lack of unity in the
labour force.
According to
Isichei (1981), the coal miners went on strike in Enugu in 1949 over demand for
better conditions of service but the strike was aborted by the police leading
to the killing of 20 striking miners while 29 others were wounded. Another
general strike that took place in 1964 over welfare, the grievances also
paralyzed economic activities in the country. In the various cases, labour
leaders were either intimidated or coerced into succumbing to government’s
decisions due to absence of a single central labour organization to bargain
effectively with government in the interest of the generality of Nigerian
workers.
1.3
Objectives of
the study
The general
objective of this study is to examine the major cause responsible for industrial
disputes in our private organization and attempt to proffer possible solutions
to such problems, having in mind that conflict cannot be settled in a war front,
rather on a conference table through dialogue specifically, the objectives of
this study are:
·
To
find out if efficiency and higher
productive among workers are the goal of labour and management in the Nigerian
economy
·
Effectiveness
of collective bargain in labour management
·
To
find out if the success of an organization depends on the quality of labour
management relations.
1.4
Significance of the study
The
importance of this study is more on the desire to provide a lasting solution to
labour-management conflicts in the Nigeria industries. Considering the enormous
attention currently place on industrialization in this country, there exists
the utmost need for labour representatives and management to develop a
harmonious spirit of cooperation so that they can collectively move toward
contributing meaningfully to the realization of the organization’s objectives
by so doing, they will succeed in promoting the level of industrial growth in Nigeria.
Furthermore,
in view of the existing fact that some government laws and decision sometimes
frustrate the smooth flow of interaction between labour and management in our
industries, this study promise to be of relevance by way of attempting some
recommendations on the various ways where by the government can on its own
create a room for the practice of progressive industrial relations activities
in the country. In effect, the recommendations contained in this study will
serve as a fruitful guide to government in formulating legal; rules that will
regulate labour management activities in the Nigerian economy.
1.5
Scope of the
Study
The study is
limited to Heroes Petroleum Nigeria limited in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
1.6 Limitation of study
A lot of factors
militate against this research work, some of these problems encountered by the
researcher were limited time, autocratic attitude of organization owners and
delay from the respondents.
Considering the
nature of the study, the time allocated for the completion of this work was not
enough as it was necessary for more thorough and elaborate study. Since the
research work was carried out along side other academic works, it resulted to a
reduction of the attention given to it as the researcher had to attend to other
academic calls and engagement.
In Nigeria, many
people are still not enlightened as to value the important of accurate and
timely information. This led to uncooperative attitude among the workers,
thinking that disclosure of some vital facts needed might result laying them
off. Despite these problems, the researcher was able to come out with the
findings contained here in the work.