Unionism and the education sector in Zimbabwe 1980 to ZIMTA Warren/Park Mabelreign District.

Abstract

The paper examines Trade Unions the role they have been playing in promoting good

working conditions passable remuneration for employees in Zimbabwe since 1980 till date.

The idea became necessary in view of the unending political, economic, social, educational,

and electoral problems bedevilling trade unions resulting poor performance. The country

Unionism commenced the colonial error with the aim and objective of protecting employees

from exploitation and oppression by employers since there is conflict of interest between

employers and employees. Employees’ motives are driven by profit and employee’s

motivation is driven by salary maximization and incentives. Trade Union acts as mediators

between the employer and employees in work environment and has played a pivotal role in

bettering employees in Zimbabwe. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of

trade unions in presenting the interests and grievance of workers. However, there is gnashing

of teeth and an outcry from employees over poor representation by trade unions, corruption

and political interference and concentration by union leaders giving a blind eye to workers

grievances. It aims of this study to rejuvenate the ills bedevilling trade union operation and

poor representation of employees. The research would be qualitative in nature and target

Warren Park/ Mabelreign District as the area for a case study. The research targets people

who are formally employed in both public and private sector and trade union officials and are

relevant people since they are the ones facing these challenges. The outcome of the study can

be used as a panacea to the problems affecting the environment of work in Zimbabwe in

coming up with measure and policies that arrest these challenges.