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Inter- Union Rivalry, Legitimacy and Union Influence on Shop-Floor Industrial Relations in Zimbabwe’s Urban Councils

Received: 2 December 2016     Published: 5 December 2016
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Abstract

The article examines how inter-union rivalry affects shop-floor industrial relations in Zimbabwe’s urban councils. In essence inter union rivalry destroy union solidarity and creates unnecessary competition which end up destroying effective shop-floor worker representation. In an attempt to garner membership and quest to claim legitimacy, the study reveals strategies adopted by unions, which further creates a huge rift among them. This massive competition to enhance trade union density results in unions channelling more energy on fighting each other and in the process abandoning their role of advancing worker interest. Resultantly findings reveal a weakened state of worker representation and an invisible managerial hand in trade union affairs extending the managerial prerogative. Political interference and dominance is equally witnessed. The paper recommends unity of purpose in representing mutual employee interests, as well as minimal political tolerance on union business, unconditional collaboration and willingness to compromise.

Published in International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences (Volume 4, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijefm.20160406.18
Page(s) 362-368
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2016. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Industrial Relation, Legitimacy, Inter-Union Rivalry, Trade Unions, Urban Councils, Zimbabwe

References
[1] Macdonald, V. (2014). Trade Union Rivalry is Causing Concern. Times of Malta, pp. 5-6, 8 March.
[2] Singh, P. & Kumar, N. (2011). Employee Relations. NewDelphi: Dorling Kindersley(India) Pvt.Ltd.
[3] Gupta, A. & Gupta, N. (2013). The 21st Century Trade Union Challenges in India. Journal of Accounting and Marketing, pp. 8-21.
[4] Katsourides, Y. (2013). Political Parties and Trade Unions in Cyprus. Hellenic Observatory Eroupean Institute, London.
[5] Budeli, M. (2012). Trade Unionism and Politics in Africa: the South African experience. The Comparative and International Law Journal of Southern Africa, pp. 454-481, 2012.
[6] Wright, C. F. (2011). What role for Trade Unions in future workplace relations?. Acas Future of Workplace Relations, University of Cambridge.
[7] Philippe, S. (2008). The Changing Politics of Organised Interest. West European Politics, Vol 31(3), pp. 195-210.
[8] Hyman, R. & Gumbrell-McCormick, R. (2010). Trade unios,n politics and parties: is a new configeration possible?. European Review of Labour and Research, Vol. 16 No3, pp. 315-331.
[9] Harcourt, M. (2014). US union revival, minority unionism and inter-union conflict. Journal Of Industrial Relations, pp. 653-671.
[10] Pawlenko, K. D. (2006). Re-evaluating Inter-Union Competition. UPA Journal of Labour and Emploment Law, Vol 8(3), pp. 651-606.
[11] Ayantunji, O. I. & Ayantunji, M. M. (2016). An Ecclectic Approach for the Training of the Shop Stewards in the Industrial Relations System in Nigeria. International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management Sciences, Vol 2(3), pp. 34-56.
[12] Dofour, C. (2010). The legitimacy of collective actions and trade union renewal. European Review of Labour and Research , pp. 351-367.
[13] Rajesh, S. & Manoj, K. P. (2014). Politicization Of Trade Unions and Challenges to Industrial Relations in India:A Study with a focus on Nothern Kerala. International Journal of Business and Administration Research Review, Vol 1(2), pp. 78-96.
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  • APA Style

    Farai Ncube. (2016). Inter- Union Rivalry, Legitimacy and Union Influence on Shop-Floor Industrial Relations in Zimbabwe’s Urban Councils. International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences, 4(6), 362-368. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijefm.20160406.18

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    ACS Style

    Farai Ncube. Inter- Union Rivalry, Legitimacy and Union Influence on Shop-Floor Industrial Relations in Zimbabwe’s Urban Councils. Int. J. Econ. Finance Manag. Sci. 2016, 4(6), 362-368. doi: 10.11648/j.ijefm.20160406.18

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    AMA Style

    Farai Ncube. Inter- Union Rivalry, Legitimacy and Union Influence on Shop-Floor Industrial Relations in Zimbabwe’s Urban Councils. Int J Econ Finance Manag Sci. 2016;4(6):362-368. doi: 10.11648/j.ijefm.20160406.18

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijefm.20160406.18,
      author = {Farai Ncube},
      title = {Inter- Union Rivalry, Legitimacy and Union Influence on Shop-Floor Industrial Relations in Zimbabwe’s Urban Councils},
      journal = {International Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Sciences},
      volume = {4},
      number = {6},
      pages = {362-368},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijefm.20160406.18},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijefm.20160406.18},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijefm.20160406.18},
      abstract = {The article examines how inter-union rivalry affects shop-floor industrial relations in Zimbabwe’s urban councils. In essence inter union rivalry destroy union solidarity and creates unnecessary competition which end up destroying effective shop-floor worker representation. In an attempt to garner membership and quest to claim legitimacy, the study reveals strategies adopted by unions, which further creates a huge rift among them. This massive competition to enhance trade union density results in unions channelling more energy on fighting each other and in the process abandoning their role of advancing worker interest. Resultantly findings reveal a weakened state of worker representation and an invisible managerial hand in trade union affairs extending the managerial prerogative. Political interference and dominance is equally witnessed. The paper recommends unity of purpose in representing mutual employee interests, as well as minimal political tolerance on union business, unconditional collaboration and willingness to compromise.},
     year = {2016}
    }
    

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    AB  - The article examines how inter-union rivalry affects shop-floor industrial relations in Zimbabwe’s urban councils. In essence inter union rivalry destroy union solidarity and creates unnecessary competition which end up destroying effective shop-floor worker representation. In an attempt to garner membership and quest to claim legitimacy, the study reveals strategies adopted by unions, which further creates a huge rift among them. This massive competition to enhance trade union density results in unions channelling more energy on fighting each other and in the process abandoning their role of advancing worker interest. Resultantly findings reveal a weakened state of worker representation and an invisible managerial hand in trade union affairs extending the managerial prerogative. Political interference and dominance is equally witnessed. The paper recommends unity of purpose in representing mutual employee interests, as well as minimal political tolerance on union business, unconditional collaboration and willingness to compromise.
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Author Information
  • Faculty of Management & Law, School of Economic and Management, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa

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