STRIKES AND WORK STOPPAGES: THE INFLUENCE ON THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC SECTOR PERFORMANCE

In their quest for improved working conditions, Nigerian public sector workers now have no other option than to go on strike and engage in work stoppages; this explains why public sector workers in Nigeria frequently go on strikes and engage in work stoppages.  This study therefore examined how strikes and work stoppages could affect the Nigerian public sector performance. The theoretical underpinning was on the Max Weber's social action theory and survey research design was employed. A total of three hundred and twenty (328) employees in selected ministries and parastatals in Nigeria were used and data collection instrument is the questionnaire, which was administered to the employees of the selected ministries and parastatals. Multiple regression estimation technique was employed and findings indicated a significant negative relationship between strikes, work stoppages and performance of public sector in Nigeria.  Hence, the study concludes that strikes and work stoppages account for the poor performance of the Nigerian public sector.  On the basis of this, the study recommends that Nigerian public sector employees’ employment circumstances should only be discussed through collective bargaining mechanisms, according to the government; also, after collective bargaining with workers represented by their unions, the government should adopt the mindset of upholding the collective agreements it voluntarily signed.  Finally, the government needs to give better working conditions and employees’ welfare in Nigeria's public sector more careful consideration.