GRIEVANCE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND MINIMIZATION OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIONS IN PLASTIC MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN PORT HARCOURT

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between grievance management strategy and minimization of industrial actions in plastic manufacturing firms in Port Harcourt. The explanatory survey research design was used for the study. 47 managers from 10 paint manufacturing firms were engaged. The questionnaire was the instrument was adopted. The Spearman Rank order correlation was used for test of hypotheses. 39 were validly used for the study. Finding revealed that there is a significant relationship between grievance management strategy and minimization of industrial actions (picketing and work-to-rule) in plastic manufacturing firms in Port Harcourt. The study concluded that handling employee grievances is important if industrial actions are to be minimized. The study recommended that plastic manufacturing firms in Port Harcourt should endeavour to make open door policy a culture in the organization where employees and management can dialogue to reduce picketing; plastic manufacturing firms should ensure that management and employee have one-in-one interaction usually on weekly or monthly basis so as to hear their grievances and make way for harmonious work environment to prevail, thus minimizing work-to-rule in the organization.