TRADE UNION

a permanent voluntary association of

workmen to protect their interest
Registered under Trade Unions act
Management recognizes for collective
bargaining
Collective body having protection
under the Law.

functions

types

Responsive and cooperative

Aggressive and militant
Politically affiliated
Non politically affiliated
All employee trade union
Trade with outsiders

1867
1877
18821890
1881

Protest of butchers against Bombay

Municipal Corpn.
Cease work in Express Mills, BBY on wage
issue
25 strikes in BBY and Chennai
Factories Act introduced. Protest march by
Lokhande that most factories do not
comply with the law.
Bombay Mill Hands Association was
organized as a labor union.

1897

1901
1920
1926

First registered body of employees,

under Companies act: amalgamated
society of railway servants in India
and Burma.
Printing and postal workers union
was formed
AITUC formed: linking with Govt. in
labor related issues
TU Act passed giving right to
workmen to unite.

19261931
19291931
193038
1938

Fraction in AITUC. concept of leftist and

rightist emerged. employer hostility
increased.
Govt. appointed Royal Commission Of
Labour.
Passive phase with economic recession
political parties; attention shifted from
labour; failure of textile strike in Bombay
in 1929
Payment of wages Act passed.

193945

AITUC did not support British during war; split and

creation of Indian Federation of Labor; supported by Govt.
nominated in ILO
establishment of conciliation Board : Introduction of cost of
living index

1941

Essential service maintenance ordinance issue prohibiting

strike and dismissal in essential services.

1942

First tripartite labor conference

1945

Creation of chief labour commissioner

1946

Strikes, lock out prohibited and power to Govt. to refer

disputes to conciliation.

194656

3 central trade unions were formed

1947

The Indian national trade Union congress was formed under

the chairmanship of Ballabh Bhai Patel. Backed by
Congress, the party recognized peaceful solutions to
industrial dispute , reconciliation and arbitration. Various
unions and federations became members of INTUC.

1948

Hind Mazdoor Sabha was formed which was non congress

non communist labor organization with socialistic
objectives.

1949

United trade Union Congress were formed with few people

and organizations splitting out of HMS.

1970

CITU formed; Marxist communist outfit.

AITUC

Base in WB, Kerala and AP

Support on steel, Defense,
engineering, communication and
other white collared jobs.
Affiliate of World Federation of Trade
Unions
Affiliate of CPI.

INTUC

Politically aligned to Congress

Affiliated to International
Confederation of Free Trade Unions
Stronghold in textiles, mining, engg.
and plantation
Strong in north India

Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)

Affiliate to Janata party

Socialistic
strong ion Maharashtra, Karnataka,
Up and WB.
Presence in Railways, iron and steel,
ports and docks, postal service.
Against arbitration mode of
settlement.

United trade union Congress

(UTUC)

RSP outfit: inclined to communist

trade unions
Fraction of HMS
not very popular

CITU

CPIM affiliate
socialistic
Against nationalization, globalization
and privatization.
Aggressive
Strong Presence in Bengal , Bihar,
Kerala

Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh

Traditional, cultural
Believes in dutifulness and sincerity
from workers

Characteristic of a trade union.

Political rivalry
Converting labor dispute into political
dispute
Professional politicians decide course of
action
Switching of membership due to political
alignment
Lack of sincerity in leadership
Create negative approach
Nuisance value

Aggressive, militant and conflicting attitude

Not objective or forward
Lack of proper assessment of the
management as well as members of the
union.
Inadequate mandate of workers
Inadequate support of political parties
Not acceptable to change, tech
gradation and economic condition,
poor financial condition

up-

Changes taken place in trade union

and mgt relationship

Adoption of tech changes

Quality enhancement of workmen
New concept of
compensation( performance based)
De-politisation
Recognition to management authority

Workers participation in management

Workers taking over closed/ sick
undertakings
Ignoring
union
authority
when
conflicting with workers interest
Collective bargaining with democratic
mandate.

Idealistic trade union

reality

Adjust with situation

Dont adjust

Cooperate with management

No cooperation

Enhance productivity

Actual loss of production due IR

problems.

Positive participation with mgt

Some unions drop participate

Inside leaders should run the show

Outside leaders run the show

Motivate and counsel workers

Motivated to be hostile with mgt.

Management perception

Union interfere with functioning of mgt.

Union make management to discuss and
decide
Union targets to embarrass managers
Unions come with predetermined decisions
Unions do not listen and do not understand
the business.
It is important to keep union officers in
good humor than the employees.

Emerging trends in unionism

Shift towards internal leadership

Indifference
towards
union
by
matured and responsible workforce
Mgt taking the confidence of union
before major decisions
Bilateral talks considered important
and loss of business and production
shall be last priority

strategies

Communicate
Convince
Educate
Motivate
Clarity of capabilities
decide

assignment

ABC Ltd. is a automotive manufacturing

company located at suburban of Kolkata with
350 workmen and 42 executives.
There are two unions, one recognized and the
other not. There are 3 problem employees in
each of the unions and one militant office
bearer in the recognized union. Other officer
are reasonable Outside office bearers have
political links and have nuisance value.
As IR manager, prepare a strategy to deal with
the unions, office bearers and workmen.