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Industrial Actions and Workers' Productivity in Public Universities in Rivers State Nigeria

Michael Idongesit Udofot, Deine C.Chuku, PhD Prof. E. B. Okemini

Abstract

This study investigated the impacts of industrial actions on the productivity of workers in selected public universities in Rivers State, Nigeria and its effects on students' academic progress. The descriptive mixed-methods study used a survey of UNIPORT, RSU & IAUE staff (360 with a 93.75% response rate) with 24 in-depth interviews. The results showed that the three factors of non-implementation of collective bargaining agreement (x̄=4.40), irregular payment of salary (x̄=4.28) and poor infrastructure (x̄=4.28) are the major factors that trigger strikes. Academic productivity (means 4.12-4.25) and even non-academic functions (means 4.21-4.33) were seriously affected by industrial actions, with UNIPORT being almost paralysed while RSU and IAUE enjoyed their own industrial peace through proactive local dialogue. Strikes were identified by staff as the greatest challenge that students face in their timely graduation. The study recommends establishing a University Agreements Monitoring Commission and replicating the RSU-IAUE consultative model nationally.

Keywords

Industrial ActionsWorkers' ProductivityPublicUniversitiesStudents

References

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