CHAPTER 1

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

 Nigerian Labour Law defines the INDUSTRIAL UNION

        any combination whether temporary or permanent,

the principal objectives of which under its constitution

are the regulation of the relations between workmen

and workmen or between masters and masters or the

imposing of restrictive condition on the conduct of any

trade or business and the provision of benefit to members

        (cited in Fajana, 1995: 132).

        This definition would be seen to incorporate a large variety of organizations and groups under industrial union. Another definition of the concept regards it as,

an association of wage or salary earners formed with

the object of safe guarding and improving the wage

and employment conditions of its members and to

raise members’ social status and standards of living

in the community (Fajana, 2000).

        The preceding definition emphasizes on the purchase of labour power as a factor of production. Industrial union is here differentiated from other organizations or associations by the emphasis on the pursuit of better improved condition of service for members.

        Sidney and Beatrice Webb (1920) offer the following definitions of industrial union:

             A continuous association of wage earners for the

purpose of maintaining or improving the condition

of their working lives.