COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND INDUSTRIAL HARMONY IN NIGERIA: NLC AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGREEMENTS OF 2000 AND 2011 IN PERSPECTIVE

Conflict in its entirety occupies a formidable ground in the context of individual, organizational and societal ramification and cannot be done without, hence the need to resolve it amicably adopting a suitable method from among the various methods of resolving conflict. With the recurrent fracas between NLC and the Federal Government collective bargaining seems to be a more suitable means of ensuring industrial harmony. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of collective bargaining on industrial harmony in Nigeria within the context of several agreements entered into between the federal government and the Nigeria Labor Congress between 2000 and 2011. A total of 7524 individuals constitutes the population of the study which include all the NLC members based in Sokoto state as well as public affair commentators and a sample size of 366 was drawn there from. The study adopted a quantitative approach. The relevant data upon which the study based its analysis and conclusion was obtained through a structured questionnaire. 366 copies of questionnaire were administered on respondents and 312 were duly filled and returned. Hypothesis was tested using chi-square technique.The study found that the collective agreements reached by NLC and FG can only enhance industrial harmony if the two parties respect the agreement reached mutually. It was recommended that Federal government and NLC should both respect the agreement reached mutually as peace can only be achieved where all parties concerned honor the conclusions mutually reached.