The operations of trade unionism in Kenya: a study of the Railway African Union (Kenya), 1945 - 1975.

Abstract

This study attempts 'co uncover and explain salient variables that have conditioned the behavior of Railway African Union (K) - R. A.U. (K) in the industrial relations arena in Kenya between 19Lj,5 and 1975. The approach entails the identification of the major- actor's on the scene, both from micro-environment arid macro-environment of the Union. One important aspect of the micro-environment that had a bearing on the Union and which, along with micro-environmental factors, determined the quantity and quality of the Union's. output; was the quality of the persons at the helm of, the Union. In fact one feature of the findings of this research paper was that the achievements of the Union varied with the calibre of the Union leadership. But" inter alia, the personality dynamic s also explained the cleavages that surfaced in the Union during the greater part of this period. The two major components of the macro-environment that had impact on the Union were the Government and the Railway Corporation. These two institutions intervened on the industrial relations scene fro~ time to time. The state played a peace-keeping role through the use of supervisory and regulatory instruments , The increasing use of these instruments made it very difficult for the Union to use strike to back its stand on issues that affected its members. The Corporation, on the other hand assumed a father - figure role, introducing and implementing pol ides that t ended to camouflage conflicts inherent in the employment situation.