Factors affecting settlement of industrial disputes by the Kenya national union of teachers (KNUT)

Abstract

Trade unions were established to protect the working life of workers. Currently they are facing various challenges and hence weakening the unions. The objective of this research was to determine factors affecting settlement of industrial disputes in the KNUT. The specific objectives of this study was; a) to establish the effect of training among union officials on settlement of industrial disputes in KNUT; b) to determine the extent top management commitment affects settlement of industrial disputes in Kenya National Union of Teachers; c) to determine the extent members involvement affects settlement of industrial disputes in KNUT and d) to establish the effect of communication on settlement of industrial disputes in KNUT. The research design which was used in this study was descriptive cross- sectional survey. The study sampled 20% of the target population of 500 which made a sample size of 100 respondents. The sample size of the study was 40 primary school teachers, 40 secondary school teachers and 20 KNUT officials. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the sample. This research study used both primary and secondary data. Data collected was mainly quantitative in nature and was appropriately analyzed using descriptive statistics. Therefore, SPSS was used in analyzing the questions. The study established that the top management commitment affected settlement of industrial disputes in KNUT through; establishing communication channels, positive relationship with employees, mediation on behalf of employees, and through proper rewards respectively. The study found that; the different ways through which employee involvement affected settlement of industrial disputes at KNUT included; full recognition of the workers, development of workers’ free personality and through developing consciousness of workers democratic rights. The study also established that for the effective settlement of industrial disputes in KNUT, communication should ensure; neutral mediation process, confidence and trust of the parties, importance of timing, labor management interaction respectively. The study concluded that the top management commitment affected settlement of industrial disputes at KNUT to a great extent; the employee involvement affected settlement of industrial disputes at KNUT to a great extent and finally concluded that communication affected settlement of industrial disputes at KNUT to a great extent. The study recommends that labour organizations should conduct regular training on their officials on settlement of industrial disputes; the management of labour organizations should enhance top management commitment towards settlement of industrial disputes in KNUT. The study further recommends that labour organizations should increase the level of members’ involvement in settlement of industrial disputes