Trade Union
TRADE UNIONISM, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND
NATION BUILDING: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE
Charles N. Okolie
Introduction
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 paper tends to examine the impact of trade unionism and collective bargaining for Nigerian development. Origin and Development of Trade Unionism in Nigeria
The term trade union has a variety of meanings depending on the perception of workers and the definition imposed by legal frameworks in many countries. According to Fajana, Trade unions laws in the UK and Nigeria
NATION BUILDING: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE
Charles N. Okolie
Introduction
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 paper tends to examine the impact of trade unionism and collective bargaining for Nigerian development. Origin and Development of Trade Unionism in Nigeria
The term trade union has a variety of meanings depending on the perception of workers and the definition imposed by legal frameworks in many countries. According to Fajana, Trade unions laws in the UK and Nigeria
References: Erugo Sampson I. Introduction to Nigerian Labour Law. Lagos: Mikky Communications, 1998. Lagos: Labofin and Coy, 2000. Onyeocha, Izu M. Idealism, Politics and Nation Building. Owerri: Assumpta Press, 1994. Ikeja: Obaroh & Ogbinaka Publ, 1991. Uviehara, Egerton E. Labour Law in Nigeria. Ikeja: Malthouse Press, 2001. Wedderburn, K.W. The Worker and the Law. London: Pengium, 1965.