TRADE UNION MOVEMENT IN

PRESENTATION BY :
PRAKHAR KUMAR SHARMA. AND MOHAMMAD SHAKER AZIZI.

CONTENTS OF PRESENTATION :

What is trade union? Characteristics of trade unions. History of trade unions. Objectives of trade unions. Role and functions of trade unions. Why workers join trade unions? Types of trade unions. Union tactics. Trade union movement in India. Trade Unions Act 1926. Problems and Shortcomings of trade unions in India. Measures to strengthen trade unions.

WHAT IS TRADE UNION?

1.

According to Chamberss twentieth century dictionary -Trade union is an organized association of workers of an industry for the protection of their common interests. According to section 2(b) of the Trade Unions Act 1926 A trade union is any combination of persons , whether temporary or permanent , formed primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between workmen and employers , or between workmen and workmen , between employers and employers, or for imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business, and includes the federation of two or more trade unions.

2.

AN ANALYSIS OF PREVIOUS DEFINITIONS REVEALS CHARACTERISTICS OF TRADE UNIONS :

It is a combination of workers. Such combination may be permanent or temporary. It may include federation of two or more unions. It regulates relations among workers, between workers and employers or among employers.

HISTORY OF TRADE UNIONS :

Offshoot of industrialization. Technological innovations and factory system of production brought about by Industrial Revolution in England and later on in other countries created conditions under which a worker , as an individual , in the absence of legal protection felt exploited at the hands of employers. The workers realized that the only way of getting redress was through collective action.

HISTORY OF TRADE UNIONS :

Workers thus forced by circumstances to combine , organize and form their associations, called Trade Unions, to defend their rights ,living and working conditions and protect themselves from exploitation and maltreatment by employers and management.

OBJECTIVES OF TRADE UNIONS :

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Fair wages for the workers in the light of cost of living and prevailing standards of living. To improve working conditions shorter working hours, better leave facilities, adequate social security, better housing and education. Assurance of share to workers in the increased profitability of industry through adequate bonus. To ensure security of employment by

OBJECTIVES OF TRADE UNIONS :

5.

6.

To protect workers against exploitation and maltreatment by the employers. To protect the larger interest of society by assisting in the improvement of trade and industry.

ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF TRADE UNIONS :

To promote and protect the interests of its members. The Labour Commission in his report in 1966 opined that unions should pay attention to the basic needs of its members which are :1. To secure fair wages for workers. 2. To safeguard job security. 3. To enlarge opportunities for promotion and training.

ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF TRADE UNIONS :

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5.

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To improve working and living conditions. To provide good educational and health facilities. Fraternal functions Trade unions act as benefit organizations to their members. Social functions educating poor masses, conducting anti-corruption campaigns etc. To cooperate in improving production and productivity.

WHY WORKERS JOIN TRADE UNIONS ?

Earlier, Workers used to join Unions to protect themselves against: Exploitation by the management. Maltreatment . Inhuman working conditions. Low wages. Long hours of works.

WHY WORKERS JOIN TRADE UNIONS ?

In present situation, following are the reasons for joining trade unions :

Greater Bargaining Power. Check on Arbitrary Actions. Sense of Security. Recognition and Participation. Sense of Belongingness. Platform for Self Expression. Betterment of Relationships. Leadership.

TYPES OF TRADE UNIONS :

A. 1.

i.

ON THE BASIS OF PURPOSE Reformist unions : These unions only intend to modify the existing social, economic or political makeup of the state and not eliminate it. R.F. Hoxie further classified reformist unions into two types Business unions : Concentrate on the economic interests of their members like improved working conditions and increased wages.

TYPES OF TRADE UNIONS :

They try to stay away from strikes and political involvement and rely on peaceful methods to settle issues.

ii.

Uplift unions : Aims at broader issues such as education, benefits, health and insurance. They direct their efforts to promote intellectual, moral and social life of their members.

TYPES OF TRADE UNIONS :

2.

3.

Anarchist unions : These unions aim to replace capitalist system by socialist system. Predatory unions : Do not stick to a particular ideology or methodology to achieve their objectives. Instead, they adopt any method whether ethical or unethical without considering the effect of their actions on outside world.

TYPES OF TRADE UNIONS :

B.

1.

ON THE BASIS OF MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE Craft unions : Members belong to a closely related group of occupations. All members possess similar skills, training and specialization. Example union of carpenters. Industrial unions : Includes all workers in a particular industry or company.

2.

TYPES OF TRADE UNIONS :

3.

General unions : Consist of members belonging to various industries with varied skills and experiences.

UNION TACTICS :
1. 2. 3.

Strikes. Lockouts. Picketing.

TRADE UNION MOVEMENT IN INDIA :

The entire period of the growth of trade unionism up till now is conveniently divided into three periods :

First period : 1875-1918. Second period : 1918-1947. Third period : 1947 till date.

THE FIRST PERIOD 1875-1918 :

Started from 1875 and lasted up to first world war. During this period the trade union movement was essentially humanitarian. Some friendly societies were formed to look in to the welfare of workers. These unions were sporadic in nature. The first Indian trade union, Bombay Mill Hands Association was founded in 1890 by a factory worker Shri N.M. Lokhanday.

THE FIRST PERIOD 1875-1918 :

The Printers Union, Calcutta and Bombay postal union were formed in 1905 and 1907 respectively. The kamgar hit vardhak sabha was formed in 1909. Active leaders in this period were S.S.Bengali and N.M.Lokhanday who fought for the rights of workers. Panikkar charcterizes this period as the social welfare period of our early trade union movement.

SECOND PERIOD 1918-1947 :

This period actually marked the beginning and growth of organized and continuous trade unions. Establishment of International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1919. Madras became the hub for organizing labour activities. B.P.Vadiya founded the Madras Labour Union in 1919.

SECOND PERIOD 1918-1947 :

Trade unions like Ahmedabad Textile Workers Union , N.W. Railway employees union, The Jamshedpur Labour Association were formed . The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was formed in 1920. By 1924, there were 1671 trade unions in India. The National Federation of Labour was formed in 1933 to facilitate unity.

TRADE UNIONS ACT 1926 :

This act received its assent on 25th march 1926 . It came into force on 1st June 1927 as The Indian Trade Unions Act. By section-3 of the Indian Trade Unions (Amendment)Act 1964, the word Indian has been removed and now it is known as the Trade Unions Act, 1926. To make regulations for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act, the then government passed The Central Trade Union Regulations, 1938.

FEATURES OF THE TRADE UNIONS ACT 1926 :

According to section 2(b) of the Trade Unions Act 1926 A trade union is any combination of persons , whether temporary or permanent , formed primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between workmen and employers , or between workmen and workmen , between employers and employers, or for imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business, and includes the federation of two or more trade unions. This Act deals with the registration of trade unions, their rights, duties, liabilities and responsibilities.

FEATURES OF THE TRADE UNIONS ACT 1926 :

Ensures that the funds of trade unions are utilized properly. It gives legal and corporate status to the registered trade unions. It also seeks to protect trade unions from civil or criminal prosecution so that they could carry on their legitimate activities for the benefit of the working class. The Act is applicable not only to the union of workers but also to the association of employers. Also deals with Penalties and fines. It extends to whole of India.

THIRD PERIOD - GROWTH OF TRADE UNIONS AFTER INDEPENDENCE :

In the period 1918-47 the ideology inspiring trade unions was nationalistic. But after independence, trade unions developed into an effective instrument for protecting and safeguarding the interest of the labours.

Factors affecting the progress of trade unionism are as follows: 1. Constant inflow of international influence. 2. The pressure of trade union politics. 3. Rapid industrial growth.

THIRD PERIOD - GROWTH OF TRADE UNIONS AFTER INDEPENDENCE :

In 1947, moderates in the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) separated and formed the Indian National Trade Unions Congress (INTUC). Socialists broke away from INTUC and formed the Hindustan Mazdoor Panchayat (HMP). HMP and Indian Federation of Labour came together and formed the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS). A section of HMS later on formed the United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) in 1949. At present there are 50,000 registered trade

PROBLEMS AND SHORTCOMINGS OF TRADE UNIONS IN INDIA :

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Uneven growth. Small size. Weak financial position. Political leadership. Multiplicity of unions. Inter-union rivalry. Problem of recognition. Apathy of members. Opposition from employers.

MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN TRADE UNIONS :

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2. 3. 4. 5.

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Strong base. Financial stability. One union in one industry. Internal leadership. Recognition of unions. Penalty for victimization of workers and union leaders.

CONCLUSION :
trade unions are an essential feature of industry in every country. Trade unions are formed to protect and promote the interests of their members . Thus it is an organized expression of the needs, aspirations and attitudes of the working class.

ANY QUERY ?

REFERENCES :
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Human resource management Dr. C.B. Gupta. Labour movement in India BASUDEB SAHOO. www.wikipedia.com Human Resource Management L.M.PRASAD.

THANK YOU.