Trade Union

Democracy
Group Members:
Priyanka Bagree, Aayush Singh, Aditi Aggarwal,
Aadit Patnaik, Rajat Lakhotia, Mansing
Hembram, Pavan HK

Brief Description
In the inauguration speech the C.M. of a state mentioned that

Mr.XYZ should be elected as the president and he should elect

his own team
Under the influence of his words, Mr.XYZ was elected by the
audience without giving any fair chance to other candidates
While a few applauded that it helped in saving time and
administrative costs
The rest complained about the manipulation

Collective Bargaining
All negotiations that take place between an employer, a group
of employers, one or more employers organizations on the
one hand and one or more workers organizations, on the
other to,

Determine the working condition and terms of employment;

The Govt. is sometimes involved as a third party

And/or regulate relations between employers and workers; and/or

Regulate relations between employers or their organization and the
workers organization(s)
It is a method whereby unions protect, safeguard and improve the
conditions of their members working lives

Trade Union Act, 1926

Trade Unions are voluntary organizations of workers or

employers formed to promote and protect their interest

through collective action.
Their aim is to redress the imbalance of power between
employers and employees.

Q1. Perceptions of different sides

The Selected Candidates:

Peaceful and cordial elections

Not given a fair chance

Saving administrative costs and otherwise

Formation of Company Union

The Unselected Candidates:

Flouting of the democracy
Manipulation

Q2. Problem of Trade Union

Democracy
Multiplicity
Uneven growth of Unionism
Small size of unions
Intra-Union Rivalry
Financial Weakeness
Politicization
Lack of accountability

Q2. Problem of Trade Union

Democracy (Contd.)
One of the basic objectives of trade unionism is to promote industrial democracy. This
objective is achieved when trade union is an organization of the workers in practice, this
rarely happens and instead less participation, openness and transparency. Decision making is
centralized Elections are often postponed and positions are filled repeatedly by nominations,
rank and file are pampered with promises and seldom get near top decision-making process.
Positions get worse when unions are guided by outside leader and regulated by the policies
or political parties. Absence of democratic leadership reduces the effectiveness of trade
unions and prevents the development of Trade Union from among the workers within the
industries. The disadvantages of outside leadership are obsession with political ideology or
and personal interest, lack of intimate knowledges of working conditions and workers
problem, lack of stake in the survival of organisation and commitment, pre-occupation with
many unions.

Q3. Suggestions for Trade Unions

Trade unions should extend welfare measures to the members and actively

pursue social responsibilities. Social responsibility of Trade Unions should go

beyond their limited constituency within members only
The Trade Union Act, 1926 should be amended and the number of members
required to form a trade union should be increased from 7 to 10% of the
employees of an organisation. Similarly, the scope for the outside
leadership should be reduced from 50% to about 10%. The membership
subscription should be enhanced to 1 % of the monthly wage of the worker
Trade Unions should make efforts to raise their declining membership
In identification of Bargaining Agent, secret ballot should be made a norm
across the nation

Q4. Role of Management

Management should assure that the victimisation will be at

zero level, even if the trade unions are led by insiders;

Extensive training facilities in the areas of leadership skills,
management techniques and programmes should be
provided to the workers;
Special leave should be sanctioned to the office bearers;
Try to establish a Company Union culture;

Q4. Role of Management (Contd.)

Elimination of party politics and outsiders through building up of

internal leaders;
Promotion of collective bargaining through recognition of sole
bargaining agents;
Improving the system of union recognition;
Encouraging union security; and
Empowering labour courts to settle inter-union disputes if they are
not settled within the organisation

Thank You!