THE EFFECT OF TRADE UNION STRIKE ACTIONS ON UNION MEMBERS' PERFORMANCE: A STUDY OF THE ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES (ASUU) IN TARABA STATE UNIVERSITY

Taraba State University, Jalingo, has experienced a number of industrial disputes which occasionally resulted in strike actions that disrupted academic and administrative activities within the institution. Such recurring industrial actions raise important questions about their implications for the performance of academic staff who participate in them. This study examines the effect of trade union strike actions on union members’ performance. The sample size of 263 was arrived at using Yamane’s formula. The study adopted Dunlop industrial relations system theory as the theoretical framework. Descriptive survey design was adopted using the structured questionnaire as the primary source of data. Responses obtained from the Questionnaire were analyzed by descriptive statistic. Findings from this research indicated that strike actions in Taraba State University are primarily driven by welfare-related issues, inadequate facilities, management shortcomings, and insufficient government commitment rather than direct government interference. The findings demonstrated that ASUU strike actions have led to the disruption of teaching schedules, increased workload, reduced motivation, limited lecturer-student interaction, and compressed academic calendars which collectively undermine effective teaching delivery. More findings revealed the disruptions to research activities, reduced participation in conferences and seminars, interruption of supervision responsibilities, declining motivation for research, and delays in academic training which collectively undermine the research mandate of the university. Therefore, the study recommends prompt payment of salaries/allowances, increase funding of TSU, grievance-handling mechanisms, Implementation of collective bargaining negotiations, and careful management of compressed academic calendar after strike should be given top priority.