EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF CONFLICT MANIFESTATIONS AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IN AN INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATION IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Arising from the incessant conflicts between the workforce and management DN Meyer Plc- a renowned industrial organisation in Lagos State, Nigeria, this study was carried out to find out the causes of conflict and the problems associated with collective bargaining process put in place in the organisation. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design since the conflicts have already manifested in the organization. 200 purposively selected respondents comprising the employees, the union leaders and management constituted the sample size. Labour management relation scale (r = 0.71) was the major instrument used for data collection. Data obtained were analysed using Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient. Results showed that poor wages and salaries administration, termination of employee’s appointment, poor working conditions, and denials of promotion were the major causes of conflicts in the organisation while the collective bargaining process was marred by confrontation, delay in reaching compromise, management unwillingness in implementing agreements reached, and the threat of no work no pay by the employers. Based on these findings, the study recommended that payment of salary as at when due, timely promotion of workers, timely payment of overtime allowance, and provision of work tools should be given prominence by every organisation. Similarly, inclusive collective bargaining procedure involving all the representatives of the workers and management should be instituted.