Trade union means any combination of workers or employers, whether temporary or permanent the purpose of which is to regulate the terms and conditions of employment of workers[1] .
Trade Unionism has been an indispensable factor in ensuring and guaranteeing stability and industrial harmony between the employer and labour. Trade Unions played pivotal roles in ensuring the free flow of goods and services to the Nigerian public which keep the Nigerian economy afloat. The Nigeria economy is stable largely owing to the activities of trade unions labouring assiduously to strike a balance between its interest and that of management. Labour and Management are two bearers of great social interests.
It is well known that trade unionism all over the world emerged for improving the economic, living and working conditions of workers.[2] Workers through their union representatives seek to obtain an equitable share in the profits made by the employer in order to improve their working and living standards out of the wealth they help generate.3 The above position has not been different in Nigeria. The primary objective of trade unionism had been an agitation to improve the lot of the labour force through improved conditions and terms of service from the employer. Trade unionism was basically an agitation which was meant to serve as a platform for dialogue with the employer on generally employee welfare.
In this 21st Century, it is our view that there seems to be an additional role in the basic and fundamental objectives of trade unionism in Nigeria. Trade Unionism entails playing economic, social and political roles not only to the working class but practically it now extends to ordinary Nigerians even those who are not gainfully employed particularly as it relates to unpopular Government policies.
The new role assumed by trade unions in this 21st Century is not in tandem with the statutory definition of trade unions which basically is an economic union the purpose of which is to regulate the terms and conditions of employment of workers. The impact of trade unions in modern society has become pervasive economically, socially and politically. The very logic that propels the state increasingly to interfere in industrial relations equally explains the need for trade unions to take active interest in politics. The writer submits that despite the restrictive role given t trade unions under the Act, the realm of political activism can still be accommodated legally under Section 40 of the Nigerian constitution which gives individuals the right to associate and assembly freely in order to advance their rights and interest. When individuals aggregate their interests it can be manifested in many legitimate ways this paradigm shift from the statutory defination of trade unions is one of the ways in which the rights guaranteed under Section 40 of the constitution can be advanced.
Particularly, in recent times a modern and vital role of trade unionism had been evolved in the form of political activism. Political activism today by the NLC has been responsible for reversal of several government actions and policies. A good example is the role played by the NLC during the upheavals associated with the removal of fuel subsidy on the 1st day of January 2012 by the Nigerian government.
[1] Section 1, Trade Unions Act, Cap T.14 LFN 2004
[2] Audi, J.A.M (2009) Strike as a Labour Union Tool in Nigeria: Reflection on Trade Union (Amendment) Act 2005.Ahmadu Bello University of Law and Service. Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 110 3 Ibid
