ASSESSMENT ON THE ROLE OF TRADE UNION IN SAFEGUARDING MEMBER’S INTEREST: THE CASE OF ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Abstract

Safeguarding the rights and interest of members is the pillar and vital role of the any trade union. Trade Unions organize for protection and promotion of the interests of their members in particular and workers in general. It generally pursues the broad objective of steady employment, which is something the employer may not be able to guarantee to the workers. The general objective of this study was to assess the role of trade union in safeguarding member’s interest in case of Ethiopian airlines basic trade union along with identifying challenges of the trade union and evaluating the contemporary roles of the trade union. The researcher used a descriptive research design basing on the use of qualitative and quantitative approaches for stated objectives. The study was conducted at Ethiopian airlines basic trade union. The target population for this study was total shop stewards of the union, a total sample of 105 stewards who are in five business units of the airline were used. The researcher used adopted and modified questionnaire and interview guides as research tool to collect data from the respondents. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics especially frequency, tables and percentages, were used to show the extent to which the respondents agreed or disagreed with the statements in the questionnaire. Data presentation was presented in tables, charts and narration form. The study is significant to other researchers as it will provide insight on identifying basic roles of a union, evaluating contemporary roles of a union like advanced welfare activities, education and research which the trade union in Ethiopian airlines is weaken. Major challenges of a union also identified and evaluated on this study, such as operational, management and financial challenges with their overall impact on discharging the very existence purpose of a union safeguarding the rights and interest of members. Furthermore, the findings will enable Ethiopian airlines basic trade union to understand the perceptions of members to the unions to make informed decisions on employees’ terms and conditions of service for reasonable Collective Bargaining Agreements. The findings will also strengthen the relationship between the trade union executives and members during different activities that were developed. Recommendation also provided on this study for union in order to enabled the union the effectively accomplish its roles both basic and contemporary. Based on the research the union shall establish effective communication channel like website, newsletters and e-newspapers in order to become effective and efficient communication link between members, management and members, and other stake holders with members.