Manuscript Title:

PROLIFERATION OF TRADE UNIONS IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATION ON THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROCESS IN NIGERIAS PUBLIC SECTOR

Author:

RABIU ISA, ZURYATI MOHAMED YUSOFF, ANI MUNIRAH MUHAMMAD

DOI Number:

DOI:10.5281/zenodo.13744378

Published : 2024-09-10

About the author(s)

1. RABIU ISA - Nigeria Police Academy, Kano-Nigeria, Universiti Utara Malaysia
2. ZURYATI MOHAMED YUSOFF - Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).
3. ANI MUNIRAH MUHAMMAD - Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).

Full Text : PDF

Abstract

This paper examined the impact of multiple trade unions on the enforceability of collective bargaining agreements, particularly within public organisations in Nigeria. The proliferation of trade unions in Nigeria has become a significant cause for concern. The article observed that trade union fragmentation and proliferation are significant barriers to the successful implementation of collective bargaining agreements, especially in the Nigerian public sector. In due course, the paper observed fragmentation of bargaining, complexity in negotiation and potential for conflicting agreements as the fundamental effects of multiple trade unions on the collective bargaining process. The paper also examined the Nigerian Trade Union Law and other labour legislation, recognising the existence and role of trade unions in the public sector. This paper collects data from both primary and secondary doctrinal legal research methodologies, such as textbooks, case laws, statutes, journals, and online articles. The paper concluded by stating that the multiplicity of trade unions had reduced the union's bargaining power. By having two or more trade unions, they are consistently in competition with one another, and sometimes this has led to the misrepresentation of members’ interests at meetings with management as well as conflicting demands capable of confusing the employer and the employees. The paper recommends that consolidating certain unions, especially those with interconnected operations, is necessary to reduce the number of trade unions as much as possible. This measure will significantly encourage and ease the implementation of collective bargaining agreements in the public sector.


Keywords

Government, Trade Unions, Collective Bargaining, Public Sectors.