Organizing the Unorganized Workers in the Shop and Distributive Industry: Effect on Trade Union Strength and Membership in Nigeria

Abstract

This study focused on becoming a union member and organizing the unorganized workers
with focus on the Shop and Distributive Industry in Nigeria. Specifically, it investigates
the conditions that influence workers’ decision to join a trade union, and whether
workers’ organization provides a collective voice for the workers in the workplace in
relation to representation and participation and how union membership affects overall
conditions of employment. Three research hypotheses guided this investigation and one
hundred copies of a questionnaire were distributed to employees and union leaders in the
Shop and Distributive Industry. Out of these 100 copies, 93 were fully completed and
returned, thus representing 93% response rate. The reliability of the research instrument
was 0.854 using the Cronbach alpha technique. A descriptive and multiple regression
analysis were employed in the analysis of data and hypotheses were tested at 0.01 and
0.05 significant level. The result showed that support for workers’ organization has a
significant relationship with poor conditions of work (F = 28.952, P > .001), workers’
organizing decision has a significant relationship with the need for employees’ voice
(F = 27.919, P >.001), and union membership and improved working conditions are
significantly related (F = 10.389, P >.001).