How Teachers' Satisfaction with Dispute Resolutions and Negotiations Relate with Teachers’ Trade Union Membership in Public Secondary Schools in Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

Teachers are expected to work harmoniously with their employers, and contribute to effective management of schools. Embu County is in record for having posted poor Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results since 2017. This is an indicator of unharmonious working relationship between teachers and their employer. The study assessed teachers trade unions ability to resolve disputes among school stakeholders and how these dispute resolutions impact on management of public secondary schools in Embu county.In particular, the study investigated the relationship between trade union membership and teachers' satisfaction with negations and dispute resolution in public secondary schools in Embu County.  A quantitative approach was used in this study, and a descriptive survey research design adopted. A target population of 2400 teachers, 205 principals was considered; where 10% was applied to get a sample of 240 teachers and 21 principals. The study used questionnaires for both the teachers and the principals. Descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean and standard deviation, and simple linear regression were performed. The findings revealed that teachers were satisfied with unions guaranteeing job security for teachers, mediating between the employee and the employer, negotiating for better conditions, promoting fairness, reduction of workload and giving good representation for both teachers and principals. There was a positive relationship between trade union membership and teachers' satisfaction with disputes resolutions. Therefore, unionization results showed that resolving disputes in public secondary schools increased satisfaction for both teachers and principals; hence, enhanced school management. The study recommended that the government takes part in public campaigns to encourage teachers to join unions for increased solidarity and satisfaction. It also recommended that teachers trade unions together with school management, as well as TSC should ensure disputes are resolved before any industrial action is taken so as to promote good performance in secondary schools in Kenya.