Contribution of trade unions in the promotion of employee satisfaction :the case of the UASU Egerton University chapter Kenya

Abstract

Trade unions are pivotal in employee productivity but operate under the influence of vaious factors. The current study evaluated the contribution of the UASU Egerton University Onpter to promotion of general employee welfare and satisfaction. The study objectives were to evaluate the contribution of the UASU to: effective communication, employee career advancement and welfare and their effects on the employee satisfaction. A cross-sectional survey was used to derive a random sample of 82 UASU members. Descriptive statistics, Pawn correlations, Friedman rank test and Principle Component Analysis were used in the Inbsis. SPSS (Version 11.5) computer software was used to aid in the analyses. Results were then presented in form of descriptive tabular summaries. Generally, the activities of the UASU resulted to improved employee communication, career advancement and welfare as denoted by the mean responses ranging between 3 (moderately agreed) to 4 (agreed). Timely delivery of infonnation to employees. accurate delivery of information and employee informed promptly positively and significantly affected effective min of wages and personnel policies. Accurate delivery of infonnation and employee informed promptly positively and significantly affected organizational layout and working practices. Accurate delivery of information significantly and positively affected employment contract terms and conditions of service. Relevance of employee training negatively and significantly affected effective mix of wages and personnel policies. The UASU contribution to investment in human capital and its effort in advocating and ensuring investment in human capital positively and significantly affected effective mix of wages and personnel policies. Relevance of employee training and lack of frequent employee training negatively and significantly affected morale, motivation and cooperation towards productivity. On welfare, improved employee pension scheme significantly and positively affected employment and contract terms and conditions of service Overall, the UASU contributed positively to employee general welfare and satisfaction of its members. Though the membership to the UASU was reported to be stable and leadership problems minimal, victimization of the UASU officials by University Management was apparent. Despite that, the UASU has room for improvement to ensure sustainable delivery of quality products and services at the University.