| dc.description.abstract | This study attempts 'co uncover and explain salient variables
that have conditioned the behavior of Railway African Union (K) -
R. A.U. (K) in the industrial relations arena in Kenya between 19Lj,5
and 1975. The approach entails the identification of the major- actor's
on the scene, both from micro-environment arid macro-environment of
the Union.
One important aspect of the micro-environment that had a
bearing on the Union and which, along with micro-environmental
factors, determined the quantity and quality of the Union's. output;
was the quality of the persons at the helm of, the Union. In fact
one feature of the findings of this research paper was that the
achievements of the Union varied with the calibre of the Union
leadership. But" inter alia, the personality dynamic s also
explained the cleavages that surfaced in the Union during the
greater part of this period.
The two major components of the macro-environment that
had impact on the Union were the Government and the Railway
Corporation. These two institutions intervened on the industrial
relations scene fro~ time to time. The state played a peace-keeping
role through the use of supervisory and regulatory instruments ,
The increasing use of these instruments made it very difficult
for the Union to use strike to back its stand on issues that affected
its members.
The Corporation, on the other hand assumed a father -
figure role, introducing and implementing pol ides that t ended to
camouflage conflicts inherent in the employment situation. | en |
