THE EFFECT OF TRADE UNIONISM ON WORKERS WELFARE

ABSTRACT

This study examines the effect of trade unionism on workers welfare, using Guinness Nigeria Plc as a case study. The purpose of the research study is to examine the position of the unions and it ability to fight for the welfare of its workers to ensure efficiently and effectiveness of work in the organization. The data of this study were collected with the questionnaire and interview method. The secondary method was used to collect data for this research study. This involved engaging in desk research with the review of relevant textbooks, journal and magazines. In the analysis of data, the sample percentage was used to test the demographic feature of the population. The chi-square method of data analysis was also used to analyze the relationship between the variables tested. The research study revealed that workers perception of this of this union would affect his assessment of the union in meeting his needs. It is also revealed that the attitude of management towards its union would affect the assessment of the union in meeting his workers welfare. And the recognition of trade unions in an organization will affect its ability to fight for the welfare of its members. Based on finding of this study, the following recommendations were made: the union leaders should be enlightened and educated of the unions activities to improve the quantity and effectiveness of trade unionism in the company. The study in five chapters concluded with suggestions of further areas of research.

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Trade unionism in any combination of workers employees, whether temporally or permanently the purpose of which is to regulate the terms and conditions of employment of workers. The combination in word or would not, apart from the decree, being an unlawful combination by reason of any if its purpose being in restraint of trade, and whether it purpose do or do not include the provision of benefits for its members.
Trade unionism is concerned with the regulation of the terms and condition of employment. However, as in many other countries, the trade unions in Nigeria have broadened the scope and deal with no just the workers at work but his place in the societies. The trade union act of 1973 provides that trade union may be formed at least fifty members. This means that the raw itself recognizes that an organization with less than fifty workers need not to have a union.
A trade union is determined by the following criteria:
 The combination must be of workers or employees of an organization
 It must have the proper purpose that of regulating the terms and condition of employment of workers
A worker means any employee i.e any member of federation or of a state or any individual who has entered into or workers under a contact with an employer. The contract may be for manual labour. Clerical work or otherwise. Expressed or implied oral or in writing and whether it is a contract personally to execute any work or labour or a conflict of apprenticeship.

The purpose of combination of workers or employees as the case may be must be to regulate the terms and conditions of employment of workers. But it may have other purpose. This does not matter whether or not the combination has other purpose which may include the position of benefit for its members or indeed any other purpose or power, provide it has its purpose the regulation of the terms and conditions of employment of workers. The effect of this on workers welfare in an organization is the achievement of certain benefits such as social welfare which concerns the provision of canteens, drinkable water cloakrooms and bathroom for employees. Also other basic welfare programmes which includes legal welfare which concern the size of a standard office, ventilation within and outside the organization.

Health welfare, which include the position of first aid box, dully equipped and should be handled by train medical officers. It also include the provision of full health care services for the employees.
Trade union so far has achieved to an extent the ability to keep workers organized as responsible and effective bodies for regulation relationship between employees and workers. This is to maintain reasonable terms and conditions of employment for workers. The existence of personal department to administer welfare programmes in business organization is also inclusive. The Nigeria labour degree compels organization to provide basic welfare which include legal welfare, social welfare programmes and health welfare programmes. Workers protection which the security of workers lives and properties etc. trade unionism in Nigeria within the last two decades has developed tremendously. The growth and development of trade unionism in Nigeria is inevitable linked to the extent or level of the security, economics and industrial development. A number of development plans have been drawn up and implemented. For example, the national development plans, involvement has also enacted a number of laws aimed at encouraging and promoting industrialization, thus providing a bigger company that gives a room for more employees.

Trade unionism provides appropriate policies and procedures to accomplish the organizational goals through registration of union. The way policy is another which involve three instruments namely: collective bargaining statutory regulation and arbitration award which has taking so much of the business of wage determination in the present country. It is about the most sensitive in labour matters.
Putting all this fact together, the welfare of the workers in an organization can be improved. Against the background the researcher has great desire to research on how well trade union has been effective in carrying out their duties, to see that the workers has been protected and provide or using Gunnies Nigeria Plc as a case study.
Guinness Nigeria Plc, Benin City is a large company that manufacture drinks, both alcoholic and soft drinks. The company has a total number of 272 junior staffs, 120 supervisors and 60 managers. It has survived the test of time in production and labour matters.