Decentralized Collective Bargaining and Salary Differentials in the Civil Services in Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the effects of decentralized collective bargaining on salary differentials and industrial harmony in the Civil Services in Nigeria. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire and oral interview in six selected Civil services in Nigeria. Interviews were also conducted with Directors of Establishment in each of the selected Civil Services and secretaries of the Association of Senior Civil Servants in Oyo, Kwara, Kaduna, Adamawa, Cross Rivers and Enugu states representing a state in each of the six geo-political zone. Secondary data were collected through official documents of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that decentralised collective bargaining has led to deregulation of salary grade structures in the Civil Services in the country, presently there exists 13 salary grade structures for various professionals respectively in the Civil Services. Further decentralized collective bargaining was the major cause of salary differentials in the Civil Services in Nigeria as recorded by 76.4% of the respondents. Similarly, decentralized collective bargaining was the major cause of industrial conflicts in the Civil Services in the country as recorded by 85% of the respondents. The study concluded that decentralized collective bargaining to be modified in line with ecology of administration in Nigeria in order to make salaries competitive in  the public sector.