The Impact of Collective Bargaining On Employee Performance in Educational Institutions, A Case Study of Kitale Academy Kenya

ABSTRACT This study on the impact of collective bargaining on employee performance was conducted in Kitale Academy Schools Complex. Using a population sample of 20 respondents who were drawn from all departments, the study revealed that collective bargaining had great ramifications on employee performance in the education institutions in Kenya. The findings revealed that the Government and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) use negotiation, arbitration and sometimes confrontations such as mass action . and industrial courts to address the service terms issues. Poor negotiation fonns and techniques reduced performance drastically and resulted into low productivity and minimal efficiency. 50% of the respondents said that though the government and the union used negotiation to resolve issues, they only did so after long bargaining battles filled with threats and mistrust over broken contracts. 30% conceded that the government only responds to other means of action such as mass action and strikes while 20% said they were forced to seek court or seek arbitration in order to obtain audience with the government. Most of the respondents (90%) believed that collective bargaining has a strong co-relation with employee performance. They also believed that poor negotiation techniques and skills were responsible for a myriad problems experienced in the education industry. All respondents (100%) agreed that fair representation, cooperation and mutual understanding are necessary for effective results to be achieved. 75% agreed that collective bargaining has positive impact on performance. 15% suggested that other approaches such as policy and working terms review should be sought to provide for more time and a larger income spectrum to employees. This would enhance cooperation, mutual understanding, and fair representation in the making and servicing of collective agreements between employees Teachers' Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT).