The nature, process and outcome of industrial strikes in Nairobi

Abstract

Industrial harmony is very important in the development of a country. Work stoppage is costly both to the employers and the employees. Man days lost translates to loss of profits and striking workers can find themselves out of employment. Even with legislations regulating industrial relations, strike incidences are a common phenomenon in out society. An average of 45 strike cases are reported annually (FKE Annual Report, 2003). .I, This study sought to answer the following questions: What role can the industrial partners play to ensure smooth industrial relations? What factors have contributed to the recent outburst of strikes in the industries? What preventive measures have been taken both at the organizational and national level to minimize strikes? How effective are the existing legislations in the prevention of industrial strikes? Ten establishments were randomly selected for the study; five had experienced strike in the preceding period of five years while the remaining five had enjoyed industrial harmony in the s..aid period. A sample of thirty people were interviewed for the study including 10 workers, 10 shop stewards and 10 line managers. Findings from the study revealed that strike as a tool of power balancing is valued by workers and can be used at any time to fight for their rights. The causes of strike as identified in this study included political, social and economical factors. Although 53.3°/00f the respondents from establishments that had experienced strike observed that the strikes did not achieve the intended purpose, the strike caused the management to take some action. Some 900/0 of shop stewards and 70% of workers felt that strike was necessary while 80% of the line managers saw strike as unnecessary. However, being a tool of power balancing it should only be used as the last resort when all other avenues have failed. Communication, negotiation and lack of workers' organization were identified as the factors that contributed to industrial peace in the establishments that enjoyed industrial peace. Collective bargaining agreement has continued to be the mechanism guiding industrial relations as the organizational level. This study also found that although collective bargaining agreements exist, the workers and the management usually interpret them differently. It is these misinterpretations that usually result in workers with.holding their labour . On militancy, the study established that it is-not the union officials who coerce workers to participate in strike rather it was the workers who pushed the union officials to call for strike. One thing is clear, strike incidences will not disappear all of a sudden, but they can be contained using negotiations and implementation of tough but flexible legislations.