THE IMPACT OF LABOUR UNION IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF ASUU, UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT, 2014-2019

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page

Approval page

Dedication

Acknowledgment

Abstract

Table of content

CHAPETR ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION 

1.1        Background of the study

1.2        Statement of problem

1.3        Objective of the study

1.4        Research Hypotheses

1.5        Significance of the study

1.6        Scope and limitation of the study

1.7       Definition of terms

1.8       Organization of the study

CHAPETR TWO

2.0   LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPETR THREE

3.0        Research methodology

3.1    sources of data collection

3.3        Population of the study

3.4        Sampling and sampling distribution

3.5        Validation of research instrument

3.6        Method of data analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.1 Introductions

4.2 Data analysis

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Summary

5.3 Conclusion

5.4 Recommendation

Appendix

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of labour union in national development in Nigeria, with emphasis on academic staff union of university (ASUU) university of Port Harcourt chapter. Two research questions were raised and two hypotheses tested. The sample consisted of 200 academic staff, and non- academic and students’ union Executive members. The simple random sampling technique was utilized in selection of subjects for the study. A questionnaire was designed to elicit information from respondents-Data obtained were analyzed statistically using Chi-square statistics and percentages. From the analysis of data it was found that poor conditions of service and remuneration, under- funding of the University system, poor communication between management and unions, autocratic leadership styles of some university administrators, nonparticipation of union in university decision making process and government intervention in universities’ internal management were the major factors associated with trade union disputes in Nigerian universities.

CHAPTER ONE

                                        INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Universities occupy a strategic position in the education ladder of the nation. They help to produce the much needed high level manpower essential for the nation’s growth and development. They are also centres of excellence, research and storehouses of knowledge. The university staffs play a major role in the running of the system and in the achievement of the organizational goals. They constitute the” life wire” of the organization. It is therefore obvious that the survival of the university depends on the relationship existing between labour and management.  It is a well known fact that the growth and development of any nation depends on the structures it has carved out for itself. In Nigeria, amidst the various arms of the government which has been working tirelessly to ensure the growth and sustenance of the Nigerian state is the emergence of trade unions. The colonial influence in Nigeria has left much to be desired. The emergence of these trade unions has become a desired form of association in order to restore the dignity of professional workers and more so ensure greater level of overall national output which is part of nation building. These unions operate on different levels depending on their modus operandi. They use different means to press home their needs seeking for recognition in the political sphere. To ensure peace and as part of the process of resolving any industrial dispute, the unions in dispute often enter into some kind of collective bargaining with the government or agency involved. Over the years these trade unions have preserved in their collective efforts to maintain a standardized culture in the labour market. This stems from the clarion call by the nationalist movement for collective co-operation and nation building. The impact of these trade unions on the Nigerian government cannot be over emphasized. Their persistent push and prowess have always put the government/agencies on their toes hoping to meet the workers demands for improved national output and national development. This study tends to examine the impact of labour union in national development in Nigeria. This relationship can be sustained if there is industrial peace and harmony amongst the work force. The Nigeria University as a social group is made up of students (who are to receive education), academic staff Lecturers, who are to carry out teaching and research activities, non- academic staff junior and senior who are to carry out various support tasks and top administrators who coordinate the activities of the stakeholders, and groups. These stakeholders, with widely varying priorities, aspirations and own perception, ail exist, working towards the achievement of organization goals. Management sees to the administration and work ability of the system, while the students are at the centre of the educational system. All activities are carried out within the university and directed towards developing their personality to the fullest. When university workers enter into the employment contract, it is with the agreement to provide their labour, while employment in return accepts to provide conducive working conditions for the supply of such services. But in most cases, when these agreements are not kept, workers become frustrated. In their individual attempts the gain equitable treatment, they respond by forming trade unions to satisfy important needs. The university staff unions are representative of the various subgroups and they assign themselves the responsibility of negotiating grievances on behalf of the groups. Within the Nigerian university system, exist such unions as: Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) ,Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) Nigerian Universities and the society at large have been witnessing serious problems in recent years in the area of trade union disputes. These disputes which culminate in strike action result in the eventual closure of the universities. There has been an increase in trade union activities over the past seventeen years in very sector of the Nigerian economy. However the focal point of this study is on ASUU’s activity in the development of university of Port Harcourt

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) though important and pivot to the economic and social development of the country (Nigeria), has his own failures resulting from liabilities that undermine her activities. Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) can therefore be seen to be a trade union whose activities being lawful and not inconsistent with the spirit and practice of trade unionism are covered by the laws of the land. ASUU may approach issues from different perspectives; indeed ASUU’s liberal, sometimes radical and militant stance more often than not, bring them into conflict with the government. ASUU’s disenchantment with government over issues of university autonomy, poor conditions of service, poor funding and non-conducive environment for academic pursuit had been simmering for years and had been the theme for fruitless negotiations and dialogue with successive Federal Ministries of Education. The non-recognition by management of the need to improve wages and salaries and other fringe benefit to workers always lead to industrial unrest which is detrimental to the national development.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of labor union in national development. But to aid the completion of the study, the researcher intend to achieve the following specific objectives:

1. i) To examine the impact of labour union activities to the development of educational sector in Nigeria
2. ii) to ascertain if there is any significant relationship between labour union (ASUU) and national development in the university setting

iii) To examine the role of ASUU on the development of university of Port Harcourt learning environment

1. iv) To examine the effect of unionism on the quality of education in Nigeria universities.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;

1. i) Is there any significant relationship between labour union (ASUU) and national development in the university setting?
2. ii) Is there any effect of unionism on the quality of education in Nigeria universities?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

The following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;

H₀: there is no significant relationship between labour union (ASUU) and national development in the university setting

H₁: there is s significant relationship between labour union (ASUU) and national development in the university setting

H₀: ASUU does not play any role on the development of university of Port Harcourt learning environment

H₂: ASUU does play a role on the development of university of Port Harcourt learning environment

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Upon completion of this research project, it will be of utmost importance in the following ways:

1. To the students, it will serve as a reference material to those who may wish to conduct a research work on this similar topic
2. When completed, it will be of great use to politicians especially those with passion on internal democracy.
3. The various recommendations that will be made in this research will enhance the effective and efficient operation of Nigeria labour union and

This research work will also be of immense benefit to the worker, the government and the country (Nigeria) at large

1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers the impact of labour union in national development in Nigeria, with emphasis on ASUU university of port harcourt chapter; but in the cause of the study, there are some factors that limited the scope of the study;

1. a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
2. b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
3. c) Finance: Limited Access to the required financed was a major constrain to the scope of the study.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

ASUU

The ASUU was formed in 1978, a successor to the Nigerian Association of University Teachers formed in 1965 and covering academic staff in all of the Federal and State Universities in the country.

LABOUR UNION

A trade union, also called a labour union or labor union, is an association of workers in a particular trade, industry, or company created for the purpose of securing improvement in pay, benefits, working conditions or social and political status through collective bargaining and working conditions through the increased bargaining power wielded by creation of a monopoly of the workers

INDUSTRIAL CONFLICT: Industrial conflict is defined as struggle over value or claims to status, power and scarce resources in which the aims of the conflict parties are only to gain the desired values but also to neutralize injure or eliminate their rivals.

DEMOCRACY: Democracy is defined as a system of government in which all qualified citizens share the supreme power directly or through their elected representative.

1.9 ORGANIZATION OF THE WORK

For the purpose of easy understanding, this research is categorized into five chapters.

Chapter one, which is essentially introductory includes background, statement, objectives, hypothesis, significance, scope/limitations of the study, organization of the work and finally, definition of terms.

Chapter two, comprises of literature review. This involves reviewing what other authors have said about the subject matter performances and influence in the economy.

Chapter three, will cover the research method and procedure, population and sample, source of data collection, method of data collection, description of instrument used, returned questionnaire and finally on that not method of data analysis.

Chapter four, in every research data presentation and analysis are very important if hypothesis are to be tested. This is very critical chapter because its observation and findings will prove or disapprove hypothesis.

Finally, chapter five is devoted towards conclusion and recommendations, whereby conclusion will be generated on whether the hypothesis is true or false, accepted or null it will also suggests solution to the problem earlier stated based on its findings.

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