11/18/2016

TradeUnions:Objectives,Functions,Formation,Regulations,RightsandLiabilities

BusinessManagementIdeas

TradeUnions:Objectives,Functions,
Formation,Regulations,RightsandLiabilities
Article Shared by Kalpana R

TradeUnions:Objectives,Function,Formation,Regulation,RightsandLiabilities!
Atradeunionisacombinationofpersons.Whethertemporaryorpermanent,primarilyforthe
purposeofregulatingtherelationsbetweenworkersandemployersorbetweenworkersfor
imposingrestrictiveconditionsontheconductofanytradeorbusinessandincludesthe
federationsoftwoormoretradeunionsasperSec.2(6)TradeUnionsAct,1926.
ATradeUnionisanorganisationofworkers,actingcollectively,whoseektoprotectand
promotetheirmutualintereststhroughcollectivebargaining.

Objectives:
Followingaretheobjectivesoftradeunions:
1.EnsureSecurityofWorkers:
Thisinvolvescontinuedemploymentofworkers,preventretrenchment,layofforlockouts.
RestrictapplicationoffireordismissalordischargeandVRS.
2.ObtainBetterEconomicReturns:
Thisinvolveswageshikeatperiodicintervals,bonusathigherrate,otheradmissibleallowances,
subsidizedcanteenandtransportfacilities.
3.SecurePowerToInfluenceManagement:
Thisinvolvesworkersparticipationinmanagement,decisionmaking,roleofunioninpolicy
decisionsaffectingworkers,andstaffmembers.
4.SecurePowerToInfluenceGovernment:

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Thisinvolvesinfluenceongovernmenttopasslabourlegislationwhichimprovesworking
conditions,safety,welfare,securityandretirementbenefitsofworkersandtheirdependents,
seekredressalofgrievancesasandwhenneeded.

FunctionsofaTradeUnion:
TheimportantbasicfunctionsofunionslistedbyNationalCommissiononlabourare:
(i)Tosecurefairwagestoworkers.
(ii)Tosafeguardsecurityoftenureandimproveconditionsofservice.
(iii)Toenlargeopportunitiesforpromotionandtraining.
(iv)Toimproveworkingandlivingconditions.
(v)Toprovideforeducational,culturalandrecreationalfacilities.
(vi)Tocooperateinandfacilitatetechnologicaladvancebybroadeningtheunderstandingof
workersonitsunderlyingissues.
(vii)Topromoteidentityofinterestsofworkerswiththeirindustry.
(viii)Toofferresponsivecooperationinimprovinglevelsofproductionandproductivity,
disciplineandhighstandardsofqualityand
(ix)Topromoteindividualandcollectivewelfare.

TradeUnionasanOrganisation:
Mostoftheworkersaremembersofanyoneofthetradeunions.
Therearemanyreasonsofmembershipandsomeofwhicharegivenbelow:
(a)Securityofemploymentandprotectionagainstcalamityofaccident,deathandsecuresocial
securitycoverafterretirement.
(b)Meetingcompanionshipandaffiliationneedandimproveonesinfluencewithmanagement.
(c)Togetacommonplatformtoaironesviews,aimsideasandfeelingsandobtainrecognition
andstatusamongfellowworkers.

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(d)Makeuseoftheprincipleofunityforthepurposeofsecuringgoodworkingconditions,
higheconomiccompensations,bettercareerprospectsandwelfareneeds.
(e)Restrictmanagementactionswhichareagainsttheinterestofworkers.

FormationandRegistrationofTradeUnion:
Thefollowingstepsareinvolvedintheregistrationoftradeunion:

AppointmentofRegistrars:
(a)Theappropriategovernmentshallappointapersontobetheregistraroftradeunionsfor
eachstate.Theappropriategovernmentmayappointasmanyadditionalanddeputyregistrars
oftradeunionsasitthinksfitforthepurposeofexercisinganddischargingunderthe
superintendenceanddirectionoftheregistrar.
SuchpowersandfunctionsoftheregistrarunderthisActasitmay,byorder,specifyanddefine
thelocallimitswithinwhichanysuchadditionalordeputyregistrarshallexerciseanddischarge
thepowersandfunctionssospecified.
(b)(i)ModeofRegistration:
Anysevenormoremembersofatradeunionmay,bysubscribingtheirnamestotherulesofthe
tradeunionandbyotherwisecomplyingwiththeprovisionofthisActwithrespectto
registration,applyforregistrationofthetradeunionunderthisAct.
(ii)Whereanapplicationhasbeenmadeundersubsection(i)fortheregistrationofatrade
union,suchapplicationshallnotbedeemedtohavebecomeinvalidmerelybyreasonofthefact
that,atanytimeafterthedateoftheapplication,butbeforetheregistrationofthetradeunion,
someoftheapplicants,butnotexceedinghalfofthetotalnumberofpersonswhomadethe
application,haveceasedtobemembersofthetradeunionorhavegivennoticeinwritingtothe
registrardissociatingthemselvesfromtheapplication.
(c)ApplicationforRegistration:
(i)Everyapplicationforregistrationofatradeunionshallbemadetotheregistrarandshallbe
accompaniedbyacopyoftherulesofthetradeunionandastatementofthefollowing
particulars,namely
1.Thenames,occupationsandaddressesofthemembersmakingapplication.

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2.Thenameofthetradeunionandtheaddressofitsheadoffice.
3.Thetitles,names,age,addressesandoccupationsoftheofficebearersofthetradeunion.
(ii)Whereatradeunionhasbeeninexistenceformorethanoneyearbeforethemakingofan
applicationforitsregistration,theseshallbedeliveredtotheregistrar,togetherwiththe
application,ageneralstatementoftheassetsandliabilitiesofthetradeunionpreparedinsuch
formandcontainingsuchparticularsasmaybeprescribed.
(d)ProvisionstoBeContainedIntheRulesofaTradeUnion:
AtradeunionshallnotbeentitledtoregistrationunderthisAct,unlesstheexecutivethereofis
constitutedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisAct.
(e)PowertoCallForFurtherParticularsandToRequireAlterationsofNames:
(i)Theregistrarmaycallforfurtherinformationorthepurposeofsatisfyinghimselfthatany
applicationcomplieswiththeprovisionsofSection5,orthatthetradeunionisentitledto
registrationunderSection6,andmayrefusetoregisterthetradeunionuntilsuchinformationis
supplied.
(ii)Ifthenameunderwhichatradeunionisproposedtoberegisteredisidenticalwiththatby
whichanyotherexistingtradeunionhasbeenregisteredor,intheopinionoftheregistrar,so
nearlyresemblessuchnameastobelikelytodeceivethepublicorthemembersofeithertrade
union,theregistrarshallrequirethepersonsapplyingforregistrationtoalterthenameofthe
tradeunionstatedintheapplication,andshallrefusetoregistertheunionuntilsuchalteration
hasbeenmade.
(f)Registration:
Theregistrar,onbeingsatisfiedthatthetradeunionhascompliedwithalltherequirementsof
theActinregardtoregistrationshallregisterthetradeunionbyenteringinaregister,tobe
maintainedinsuchformasmaybeprescribed,theparticularsrelatingtothetradeunion
containedinthestatementaccompanyingtheapplicationforregistration.
(g)CertificateofRegistration:
Theregistrar,onregisteringatradeunionundersectionand,shallissueacertificateof
registrationintheprescribedformwhichshallbeconclusiveevidencethatthetradeunionhas
beendulyregisteredunderthisAct.
(h)CancellationofRegistration:
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Acertificateofregistrationofatradeunionmaybewithdrawnorcancelledbytheregistraron
theapplicationofthetradeuniontobeverifiedinsuchmannerasmaybeprescribedinifthe
registrarissatisfiedthatthecertificatehasbeenobtainedbyfraudormistakeorthatthetrade
unionhasceasedtoexist.
Ithastoprovidenotlessthantwomonthspreviousnoticeinwritingspecifyingthegroundon
whichitisproposedtowithdraworcancelthecertificateshallbegivenbytheregistrartothe
tradeunionbeforethecertificateiswithdrawnorcancelledotherwisethanontheapplicationof
thetradeunion.
(i)RegisteredOffice:
Allcommunicationsandnoticestoaregisteredtradeunionmaybeaddressedtoitsregistered
office.Noticeofanychangeintheaddressoftheheadofficeshallbegivenwithinfourteendays
ofsuchchangetotheregistrarinwriting,andthechangedaddressshallberecordedinthe
registerreferredtoinSection8oftheCompaniesAct.
(j)IncorporationofRegisteredTradeUnion:
Everyregisteredtradeunionshallbeabodycorporatebythenameunderwhichitisregistered
andshallhaveperpetualsuccessionandacommonsealwithpowertoacquireandholdboth
movableandimmovablepropertyandtocontract,andshallbythesaidnamesueandbesued.

RightsandLiabilitiesofRegisteredTradeUnions:
1.ObjectsonWhichGeneralFundsMayBeSpent:
Thegeneralfundsofaregisteredtradeunionshallnotbespentonanyotherobjectsthanthe
paymentofsalaries,allowancesandexpensestotheofficebearersofthetradeunionsexpenses
fortheadministrationofthetradeunionthepresentationordefianceofanylegalproceedingto
whichthetradeunionofanymemberthereofisapartytheconductoftradedisputesand
compensationofmembersforlossarisingoutoftradedisputesprovisionofeducation,socialor
religiousbenefitsformembersupkeepofaperiodicalpublished.
2.ConstitutionofaSeparateFundforPoliticalPurposes:
Aregisteredtradeunionmayconstituteaseparatefund,fromcontributionsseparatelyleviedfor
ormadetothatfund,fromwhichpaymentsmaybemadeforthepromotionofthecivicand
politicalinterestsofitsmembers,infurtheranceofanyoftheobjectssuchasthepaymentofany
expensesincurred,eitherdirectlyorindirectlytheholdingofanymeetingorthedistributionof
anyliterature/documentsinsupportofanysuchcandidatetheregistrationofelectorsofthe
selectionofacandidateforanylegislativebodyconstitutedunderorforanylocalauthoritythe
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registrationofelectorsortheselectionofacandidateforanylegislativebodyconstituted
under/orforanylocalauthorityholdingofpoliticalmeetingsofanykind.
3.CriminalConspiracyinTradeDisputes:
Noofficebearerormemberofaregisteredtradeunionshallbeliabletopunishmentundersub
section(2)ofSection120BoftheIndianPenalCode,1860inrespectofanyagreementmade
betweenthemembersforthepurposeoffurtheringanysuchobjectofthetradeunionasis
specifiedinsectionitsunlesstheagreementisanagreementtocommitanoffence.
4.ImmunityfromCivilSuitinCertainCases:
(i)Nosuitorotherlegalproceedingshallbemaintainableinanycivilcourtagainstany
registeredtradeunionoranyofficebearerormemberthereofinrespectofanyactdonein
contemplationorfurtheranceofatradedisputetowhichamemberofthetradeunionisaparty
onthegroundonlythatsuchactinducessomeotherpersontobreakacontractofemployment,
orthatisininterferencewiththetrade,businessoremploymentofsomeotherpersonorwith
therightofsomeotherpersontodisposeofhiscapitalorofhislabourashewills.
Aregisteredtradeunionshallnotbeliableinanysuitorotherlegalproceedinginanycivilcourt
inrespectofanyfortuitousactdoneincontemplationorfurtheranceofatradedisputebyan
agentofthetradeunionifitisprovedthatsuchpersonactedwithouttheknowledgeof,or
contrarytoexpressinstructionsgivenbytheexecutiveofthetradeunions.
5.EnforceabilityofAgreements:
Notwithstandinganythingcontainedinanyotherlawforthetimebeinginforce,anagreement
betweenthemembersofaregisteredtradeunionshallnotbevoidorvoidablemerelybyreason
ofthefactthatanytothesubjectsoftheagreementareinrestraintofthetrade.
6.RighttoInspectBooksofTradeUnions:
Theaccountbooksofaregisteredtradeunionandthelistofmembersthereofshallbeopento
inspectionbyanofficebearerormemberofthetradeunionatsuchtimesasmaybeprovided
forintherulesofthetradeunion.
7.RightofMinorstoMembershipofTradeUnions:
Anypersonwhohasattainedtheageof18yearsmaybeamemberofaregisteredtradeunion
subjecttoanyrulesofthetradeuniontothecontrary,andmaysubjectasaforesaid,enjoyallthe
rightsofamemberandexecuteallinstrumentsandgiveallacquittancesnecessarytobe
executedorgivenundertherules.
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8.EffectsofChangeofNameandofAmalgamation:
Thechangeinthenameofaregisteredtradeunionshallnotaffectanyrightsorobligationsof
thetradeunionorrenderdefectiveanylegalproceedingbyoragainstthetradeunion.An
amalgamationof2ormoreregisteredtradeunionsshallnotprejudiceanyrightofanyofsuch
tradeunionsoranyrightofacreditorofanyofthem.

ShortcomingsofTradeUnions:
Tradeunionmovementinourcountrysuffersfromthefollowingweaknesses:
1.UnevenGrowth:
Tradeunionsareconcentratedinlargescaleindustrysectorandinbigindustrialcenters.There
isverylittletradeunionactivityinsmallsector,agriculturallabouranddomesticsector.Trade
unionismhastouchedonlyaportionoftheworkingclassinIndia.
2.SmallSize:
Mostoftheunionshavelowmembershipthoughthenumberofunionsandunionmembership
areincreasing,averagemembershipisinadequate.
3.WeakFinancialPosition:
Theaverageyearlyincomeofunionsisverylowandinadequate.Thesubscriptionratesarelow
andmanymembersdonotpaythesubscriptionintime.Duetotheirfinancialweakness,mostof
theunionsarenotinapositiontoundertakewelfareprogrammesforworkers.
4.PoliticalLeadership:
Tradeunionsareundertheleadershipandcontrolofpoliticalpartiesandoutsiders.Politicians
exploitunionsandworkersfortheirpersonalandpoliticalgains.Thus,thepoliticalleadershipis
veryharmfultothetradeunionmovementinIndia.
5.MultiplicityofUnions:
Thereexistseveralunionsinthesameestablishmentorindustry.Theexistenceofrivalunions
withconflictingideologyisgreatlyresponsibleforunhealthygrowthoftradeunionmovement.
Insomecasesemployersencouragesplitinunionstounderminetheirbargainingpower.
6.ProblemofRecognition:
Employersareundernoobligationtogiverecognitiontoanyunion.
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7.AbsenceofPaidOfficeBearers:
MostoftheunionsdonothaveHilltimepaidofficebearers.Unionactivistsworkingon
honorarybasisdevoteonlylimitedtimeandenergytounionactivities.Unionofficerslack
adequateknowledgeandskillduetolackofpropertraining,weakfinancialpositionandpolitical
leadershiparethemainreasonsforthisstateofaffairs.
8.ApathyofMembers:
Majorityofworkersdonottakekeeninterestinunionactivities.Theattendanceatthegeneral
meetingsofunionsisverypoor.
9.OppositionfromEmployers:
TradeunionsinIndiahavetofaceoppositionfromemployers.Manyemployerstrytointimidate
orvictimiselabourleaders,startrivalunionandbribeunionofficials.
10.InterUnionRivalry:
Multipleunionscreaterivalry.Unionstrytoplaydowneachotherinordertogaingreater
influenceamongworkers.Employerstakeadvantageofinfighting.Interunionrivalryweakens
thepowerofcollectivebargainingandreducestheeffectivenessofworkersinsecuringtheir
legitimaterights.

EmployersOrganisations:
UnderthetradeunionActthetermtradeunionsalsoincludesemployersorganisations.But
strictlyspeaking,anemployersassociationmeansformalbodyofemployersonly.
AccordingtoMr.NavalTata,theobjectivesofanemployersassociationare:
(i)Topromotecollectivebargaining.
(ii)Todevelophealthyandstableindustrialrelations.
(iii)TobringemployersviewpointtothenoticeoftheGovt,and
(iv)Torepresentemployersatnationalandinternationalforums.
Thereareatpresentmorethan800registeredassociationsofemployersinIndia.Theseareof
threetypes:
1.Localassociationstopromotetheinterestsofemployersinaparticularindustryorcity,e.g.,
IndianJuteMillsAssociation.
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2.RegionalassociationssuchastheSouthernIndiasMillOwnersAssociationwhichservethe
needsofemployersinaparticularregion.
3.Nationalorapexassociationswhichcoordinatetheeffortsoflocalandregionalassociations.
Thesearefederationstowhichlocalandregionalassociationsareaffiliated.FICCI,CII,are
examplesofthesefederations.Thesefederationsperformseveralfunctionssuchasadvice,
education,communication,representation.

OrganisationStructure:
OrganisationalstructureofNationalTradeUnionsconsistsof4levelsasgiven
below:
1.Conventions/sessions
2.Generalcouncil(President,VP,SecretaryGeneral,etc.)
3.Provincialbodies(atstatelevelchairman,secretariats)
4.Localbodies(affiliatedunions)
Nationalconvention/conferencesareholdatperiodicintervals,sayannuallyorbiannually.This
isthehighestpolicymakingbody.Thisispresidedoverbythepresidentoftheunionattendedby
thedelegatessuchaschairmenofstateunits,representativesofspecializedservices,legal
expertsanddelegatesfrominternationalbodiesandspecialinvitees.Officebearersarealso
electedbythisconference.
Generalcouncilconsistsofpresident,vicepresident,secretaryandotherofficebearers.It
carriesoutpolicydecisionstakenbyconvention.Variousstandingcommitteesaresetupon
renderingstudy,analysisandrecommendationsonvariousaspectslikelegislativemeasure,
Researchandpublications,internationalservicesetc.
Stateunitsareheadedbychairmanofstate/regionalareas.StateunitsalsoliaisewithNational
Headquarterskeepaclosewatchoffaithfulimplementationoflabourlegislationandpractices.
Itassists/influencestategovernmenttopasslabourfriendlylegislationand
executive/administrationactions.
Itisalsoresponsibleformembershipofvariousunionsrepresentingworkersinindustrial
undertakings(units)and/orrepresentingtradeandindustrialunitsaffiliatedtothecentraltrade
union.ThesestateunitsgetthemselvesattachedtoState/Provincial/HQ/Regional
unions/Units.

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Headquarters(HQ)unionsareresponsibleforwelfareofitsmembersandmembershipdrive.As
bargainingagentstheyareinvolvedincollectivebargainingwithCentralGovernment/andor
Stategovernmentandassistpassinglegislativemeasures.

HowTradeUnionObjectivesareAchieved?
Theobjectivesofatradeunionareachievedbyapursuitoftraditionalmethods.
Theseare:
(i)Theorganisationofatradeuniononthebasisofthecraftorindustryinwhichitsmembers
areemployed,suchasgeneralunionsandprofessionalemployeesorganisations.
(ii)Collectivebargaining,whichistheessenceofindustrialrelations,foritisthroughcollective
bargainingthatthetermsandconditionsofemploymentaredeterminedandunderwhichwork
isperformedsatisfactorily.
(iii)Grievanceprocessingandhandlingprocedures,underwhichgrievancesareredressedor
dealtwithbyacorrectionofsituationorbychannellingupoftheseuptheline.
(iv)Arbitration,bywhichunsettledorunresolveddisputescanbesettledbyanoutsideagency.
(v)Politicalpressureexercisedthroughlegislatorswhoarecapableofbringingaboutchangesin
labourlawsand
(vi)Mutualinsurancethroughcommoncontributionstomeetthefinancialneedsofworkers
whentherearestoppagesofwork.

CharacteristicsofTradeUnion:
1.Aunionnormallyrepresentsmembersinmanycompaniesthroughouttheindustryor
occupation.
2.Aunionisfundamentallyanemployerregulatingdevice.Itsharpensmanagementefficiency
andperformancewhileprotectingtheinterestsofthemembers.
3.Aunionisapartoftheworkingclassmovement.
4.Aunionisapressureorganisationoriginatinginthedesireonthepartofagroupwith
relativelylittlepowertoinfluencetheactionofagroupwithrelativelymorepower.
5.Aunionisapoliticalinstitutioninitsinternalstructureandprocedures.

TradeUnionMovementinIndia:
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Tradeunionmovementinourcountryhasacenturylonghistory.Thefirstquarterofthe
presentcenturysawthebirthofthetradeunionmovement,buttheseedsofthemovementwere
sownmuchearlier.
Inthetwenties,soonaftertheWorldWarI,workingclassinourcountryrealisedthe
effectivenessoflabourstrikeasameansofobtainingconcessions,higherwagesandbetter
workingconditions.Manystrikesweredeclaredconsequentlyandmostofthemweresuccessful.
Thissuccessledtotheformationofseveralunions.
TheAITUCwassetupin1920withtheobjectivesofrepresentingworkersinterests,toco
ordinatetheactivitiesofalllabourorganisationsinthecountry,andtospreadthemessage
abouttheneedforunionmovement.Hundredsofunionscameintobeinginbigandsmall
industries.Theirnumber,aswellasmembership,increasedconsiderably.
AlandmarkinthehistoryoflabourmovementwastheenactmentoftheTradeUnionsAct1926.
TheActgavealegalstatustotheregisteredtradeunionsandconferredonthemandtheir
membersameasureofimmunityfromcivilsuitsandcriminalpresentation.Registrationof
uniongavethemrespectabilitybeforeemployersandthegeneralpublic.
Towardstheendof1920s,therewasasplitintheunionmovement,thesplitbeingcausedbythe
leadersideologicaldifferences.TheAITUCwascapturedbythecommunists.Themoderates
formedaneworganisation,calledAllIndiaTradeUnionFederation.Ideologicaldifferencesand
splitshadtheireffectonstrikestoo.Majorityofthestrikesfailed.
Unlike1920s,the1930swerenotfavourabletothetradeunionmovement.Thepresentationof
thecommunistsinvolvedintheMeerutconspiracycaseandthefailureoftheBombaytextile
strikeof1929broughtalullintradeunionactivities.
Economicdepressionoftheperiodalsoaddedtothedullphaseofunionmovement.
Retrenchmentsandstrikeswerecommon,thelatterbeingmostlyineffective.Therewerefurther
splitsinthemovement,butjustbeforetheWorldWarIIsomeunitywasachieved.
TheunitywasshatteredduringtheWorldWarIIbecauseofideologicaldifferencesand
mountingcostofliving.IndustrialunrestincreasedandtheGovt,bannedstrikesandlockouts
invokingtheDefenceofIndiaRules.Luckilyworkersrealizedtheneedforanorganized
movementtosecurerelief.Thisrealisationledtoanincreaseinthenumberofunions.
Theaftermathofindependencewasnotgoodforunions.Thehopesofworkerstosecurebetter
facilitiesandwagesfromthenationalgovernmentwerenotrealized.Therewaslargescale
unrestandstrikesandlockoutsmultiplied.

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Thedisunityinthetradeunionrankswasaggravatedbythestartingofthreecentrallabour
organisations,namelytheINTUCin1947,theHindMazdoorSabha(HMS)in1948,andthe
UnitedTradeUnionCongress(UTUC)in1949.
Asyearswentby,moreunionsandcentralorganisationscameintobeingthemovementbecame
deeplyentrenchedasoftoday,thereare50,000registeredunionsandmostofthemare
affiliatedtooneortheothercentraltradeunion.

TradeUnionFormation:
Tradeunionsareformedondifferentcriteria.
Someofthecriteriaare:
(1)Craftbasis,(2)IndustrialUnions,(3)Generalgroupingbasedonplaceand(4)Federations.

1.CraftUnions:
Inthisorganisationthelabourclassisgroupedbasedonparticulartradeoroccupation.This
categoryismainlyamongstthewhitecollaredemployees.Themeasuresaremostlyinhorizontal
systemandcraftconsciousratherthanclassconscious.
Thiswillhavelotofcommonalityinthinkingandapproachtoproblemsresolution.Thebank
employeesunion,doctorsunion,lawyersassociation,teachersassociationcomeunderthis
category.

2.IndustrialUnions:
Aparticularcategoryofindustrywillhavetheirownunions.Allcraftsandtradescomingunder
thatindustryarepartoftheunion.Textilemillunions,steelindustryunions,millmazdoor
sangh,grinikamgarunionsaresomeoftheexamplesofindustrialunionsinIndia.
Theyformastrongforceincollectivebargaining.Theycoverallwelfareofsimilarindustry
workersinacityorindustrialtown.Industrialunionsaremorevocal,volatileandindulgein
agitationandstrikes.Similarlytheseindustriesfacemorelockoutsandarbitrationfordisputes
redressal.

3.GeneralUnion:
Thisisaconglomerategroupofdifferentindustryemployeesformingaunion.Thishappens
normallyinindustrialtowns,ancillaryunits,andSSIunitsinacityorsuburb.Examplesare
Peenyaindustrialworkersunion,ThaneindustryemployeesunionsandJamshedpurlabour
union.
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4.Federations:
Theseareapexbodiesatnationallevel.Alltradeunionslikecraftunion,industrialunionsand
generalunionbecomemembersoffederationstohavebiggeridentity.Centraltradeunionsas
federationshelpsmallerunionsandsupportatnationalleveltoaddresstheircause.
Table8.1:ImportantCentralTradeUnionsofIndia
SI.No.

Name

Year

Approx.
members
(lakhs)

1.

AITUCA11IndiaTradeUnion
Congress

1920

30

2.

INTUCIndianNationalTrade
Union

Congress

1947

55

3.

HMSHindMazdurSabha

1948

45

4.

BMSBharathiyaMazdurSabha

1955

41

5.

HMKPHindMuzdurKisan
Parishat

1962

16

6.

CITUCenteroflndianTrade
Union

1970

24

7.

UTUCUnitedTradeUnion
Congress

1971

InadditiontoabovethereareunionslikeAllIndiaBankEmployeesAssociation,National
FederationofIndianRailwaymen,AllIndiaPortandDockWorkersFederations,National
FederationofPost&TelegraphWorkers,AllIndiaMineWorkersFederationandIndian
FederationofWorkingJournalists.

LabourStrikesinIndia:
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ThereusedtobevariouslabourstrikesinvariousplacesofIndiaduringtheperiodof1960to
1980.Nowadaystheyhavereduceddrastically.Strikesusedtotakeplacemainlyfordisputesor
disagreementson(a)Bonusamount,(b)incentiveschemes,(c)suspensions,layoutand
dismissaland(d)relocationoffactoriesandoremployees.Themajorcauseshoweverhaveseen
relatedtomonetaryfactors.ThereareexamplesofmoreoftenstrikesintextilemillsofBombay
andAhmedabadthaninanyotherindustries.
LearningfromtheexampleoftextilemillstrikefailureinBombaytherearenomajorstrikes
anywhereinIndiasincethen.Themoralofthestoryisorganisationscanpaymoreonlyif
revenueandprofitsrise.Bothworkersandmanagementmustfollowpracticalandworkable
equationsandavoidopposingjustforopposingpurpose.

NoUnionsisITESSectors:
ItisinterestingtoobservethatIndianworkenvironmentdrasticallychangedinlasttwo
decades.Ithasimprovedbothwithinlawlimitsandbyviolatinglawlimits.
Examplesareasunder:
1.FactoriesAct1948forbidsladyemployeesworkingaftersunset.HoweverinITcompaniesand
BPOsectorladyemployeesworknighttimeswithoutcomplaining.Nonehasopposedthissofar
toavoidunemployment.
2.InearlierdecadesemployeesusedtoclaimOT(overtime)paymentsforworkingextrahours.
Thispaymentwastwiceoroneandhalftimethenormalrates.Thesedaysthistrendhas
stoppedandemployeesdonotclaimOT.
AbovesituationispartlyduetothefactthatnoneoftheITEScompanieshavetradeunions.This
hashappenedasthecompanyhasonlywhitecollaredstaff,engineersandexecutives.Aunique
situationhaddevelopedwhereemployersofferhighersalarytodeservingcasesanddrastically
removenonperformerstheyhavenofearofunioninterferenceorlabourcourtcases.
EveninGeneralengineeringindustriestheunionismandstrikeshavereducedsubstantially
afterglobalisation.Survivalofthefittestandmarketcompetitionhasopenedtheeyesandears
ofemployeesandfailureofBombaytextilemillslabourstrikehasbeenaverybigwarningto
unionleaders.

JapanesePractice:
InIndiamodeofstrikeistostopworking.InJapanthemodeofprotestistowearablackbadge
andworkextrahourseachday.Thisattractstheattentionofmanagementtositanddiscussthe
problemsofworkers.Perhapsthisspeaksofthesocioculturalvaluesandenlightenedapproach
oftheirleaders.
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TradeUnions:Objectives,Functions,Formation,Regulations,RightsandLiabilities

ThisiscomparabletoMahatmaGandhisnonviolentprotestagainsttheBritishrule.The
Japaneseowners/executivesfeelhurtofworkersproblemsandtrytosolvethem.Thehuman
factorsarecaredandloyalemployeesaretreatedwell.InIndiasuchacultureisyettobe
developed.Henceworkersfeelthatstrikeistheonlyweaponleftforthem.

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