Assessment on Employees Relation : The Case of Abyssinia Bank Three District in Addis Ababa
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Date
2022-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
For the attainment of organizational goals and objectives, the prevalence of good employee relations between management and employees is critical. Labor unions play a critical role in improving workplace harmony and cooperation. The function of labor unions in the Bank of Abyssinia is examined in this paper. Using a descriptive research design, the major goal of this study was to assess the role of labor unions in employment relations in BOA. Both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used in this study. The study relied on a questionnaire and interviews.256 questionnaires were issued to conduct sample surveys. Both open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires were included in the study. A total of 250 of the 256 questionnaires were returned, yielding a 97% response rate. An interview was conducted to collect qualitative data with union and management representatives. The descriptive analysis of the study indicates that most members disagree with the union's ability to play its role in employee relations. The role of the union in collective agreement negotiation and its practices; in employee participation individually and collectively; in grievance and dispute handling; in members’ communication and voice being heard; in developing industrial democracy; and in teaching organization employees to stand for their rights was insignificant. On the other hand, the finding also shows that despite the fact that the real role of the union was not significant in protecting members' benefits, they were perceived positively by the members. The other major finding was that the management was not willing to work in partnership with the labor union. Based on this, the researcher draws some recommendations. So as to revitalize the union, leaders working time should be improved from the current one day in a month to if possible full time or at least two days in a week, it should strengthen its structure at district and branch levels and provide capacity-building to union executives. The union should respect its rules and conduct a meeting with its members at least once a year and have a periodical that serves as a medium of communication. The union should encourage members to discuss problems with their immediate boss and forward unsolved problems to the union. The union should educate members about the benefits of being a member so that it can increase its membership. So as to resolve problems with the management, the union should organize a platform, if possible, by themselves or with the help of a third party, for an open discussion that will bring a paradigm shift in labor union and management relationships so that they will work in a partnership.
Key words: labor union, employee relations, conflict resolution, participation, collective agreement, industrial democracy