4.trade union

8/2/2019 4.Trade Union

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TRADE UNION:

DEFINITION Trade Union is a combination formed for the

purpose of regulating the relations not onlybetween workmen and employers but alsobetween workmen and workmen or betweenemployers and employers

- Trade Union Act 1926


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WHAT IS A TRADEUNION?A trade union is an organized group of workers. Its

main goal is to protect and advance the interestsof its members

A union often negotiates agreements withemployers on pay and conditions. It may alsoprovide legal and financial advice, sicknessbenefits and education facilities to its members

Trade unions aim to represent the interests ofpeople at work and negotiate with employers forbetter terms and conditions for their members


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Trade UnionThe Trade Union is a continuous association

of the wage earners for the purpose ofmaintaining or improving the conditions oftheir working

Political motivations and the ideologiesinfluenced the Indian trades union movement

and were in turn influenced by its increasedstrength


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HISTORY OF TRADE

UNIONThe first trade union was started in 1877 in NagpurIt was this labour protest on an organized scale, through

the support of some philanthropic personalities, thatorganized labour unions came to be formed

The setting up of large-scale industrial units createdconditions of widespread use of machinery, new lines ofproduction, and brought about changes in working andliving environment of workers, and concentration ofindustries in large towns

The first Factorys Act was passed in 1881 by N.M.Lokhode

In 1919 Madras Labour Union was the first Union inIndia to be formed and established by B. P. Vadia

Bombay Trade Union formed in 1975 under theleadership of Sorabjee Shapurjee Bengatee


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PROCEDURE OF REGISTRATION OFTRADE UNION

At least 7 members should be present for an application

It should in a prescribed form, fees and should beregistered under the Registrar of Trade Unions

Should be accompanied by a copy of the Rules of TU

Certificate of Registration is issued as soon as TU hasbeen duly registered under the Act


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FUNCTIONS OF TRADE

UNIONTo secure for workers better wages

To safeguard security of tenure and improve conditions of

service

To increase opportunities for promotion and training

To improve working and living condition

To provide for educational cultural and recreational facilities

To promote identity of interests of the workers

To offer improved level of production and productivity

discipline and high standard of quality

o romote individual and collective welfare


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Importance of Trade UnionThe existence of a strong and recognized trade

union is a pre-requisite to industrial peace.Decisions taken through the process ofcollective bargaining and negotiations

between employer and unions are moreinfluential. Trade unions play an importantrole and are helpful in effectivecommunication between the workers and the

management.They also play an important educational role,

organizing courses for their members on awide range of matters. Seeking a healthy and

safe working environment is also prominent


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Trade unions help in accelerated pace ofeconomic development in many ways as

follows:by helping in the recruitment and selection of

workers.

by inculcating discipline among the workforce

by enabling settlement of industrial disputesin a rational manner

by helping social adjustments. Workers haveto adjust themselves to the new workingconditions, the new rules and policies.Workers coming from different backgroundsmay become disorganized, unsatisfied andfrustrated. Unions help them in suchadjustment.


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Trade unions are a part of society and as such,have to take into consideration the national

integration as well. Some important socialresponsibilities of trade unions include:

promoting and maintaining nationalintegration by reducing the number of

industrial disputesincorporating a sense of corporate social

responsibility in workers

achieving industrial peace


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Trade unions are formed to achieve thefollowing objectives:

Representation

Negotiation

Voice in decisions affecting workers

Member servicesEducation and training

Legal assistance

Financial discounts

Welfare benefits


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Reasons for Joining

Trade UnionsThe important forces that make the employees

join a union are as follows:

1. Greater Bargaining Power2. Minimize Discrimination

3. Sense of Security

4. Sense of Participation

5. Sense of Belongingness

6. Platform for self expression

7. Betterment of relationships


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Trade Union MovementTwin aspects of the Indian Trade Union

Movement:Labours organization for industrial bargaining

Its ideological orientation were analyzed with thepolitical color

The aspects of the Trade Unions were viewed

in the wider background of the nationalistsstruggle against Imperialism


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Trade Union MovementThe first ever demand for the regulations of the

workings conditions of the workers in the Indiansfactories came from the Lancashire textile capitalistlobby

They apprehended that the emergence of a competitiverival in the Indian textile industry under favorableconditions would deteriorate their position. Hence theydemanded the appointment of a commission for aninvestigation into the factory condition and

also the working condition of the labourers. The firstcommission was appointed in the year 1875, althoughthe First Factory Act was not passed before 1881. TheAct prohibited the employment of the children underthe age of 7. The Act also limited the working hours ofthe children below the age of 12 years. Similar


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TRADE UNION MOVEMENTThe trade union movement started after 1918,

when the workers formed their associations toimprove their conditions. It is, thus, a part of thelabour movement, which is a much wide term

A trade union is an essential basis of a labourmovement for without which one cannot exist,because trade unions are the principal schools inwhich the workers learn the lesson of self-relianceand solidarity

Trade Unionism in India has been the natural outcome of the modern factory systemThe main elements in the development of trade

unions of workers in every country have been moreor less the same

The development of trade unionism in India has


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TRADE UNION MOVEMENTFor the first time in India the Bombay Mill Hands

Association was formed on 24 April 1890This gave impetus to the trade union movement in

British IndiaThe establishment of ILO in 1919 provided a source

of inspiration for the workers to become politicallyconsciousIndia`s membership of the same exerted great

influence in the formation of a central organization

of workers called `All India Trade Union Congress`(AITUC) in 1920 for the purpose of conducting andcoordinating the activities of the labororganizations


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TRADE UNION MOVEMENT

GROWTHSocial Welfare Period (1875-1918)The development of industries led to large-scale production

on the one hand and social evils like employment andexploitation of women and child labour and the deplorableworkable conditions, the governments attitude of complete

indifference in respect of protection of labour from suchevils, on the other.Early Trade Union Period(1918-1924)The year 1918 was an important one for the Indian trade

union movement.The industrial unrest that grew up as a result of grave

economic difficulties created by war. The rising cost of livingprompted the workers to demand reasonable wages forwhich purpose they united to take resort to collective action.

Left-Wing Unionism Period (1924-1934) In 1924, a violent and long-drawn-out strike by unions led to

the arrest, prosecution, conviction and imprisonment of

many communist leaders. The rapid growth of the tradeunionism was facilitated by several factors


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TRADE UNION MOVEMENTGROWTH

Trade Unions Unity Period (1935-1938) In mid-thirties the state of divided labour movement was

natural thought undesirable and soon after the first split,attempts at trade union unity began to be made through theefforts of the Roy Group on the basis of a platform of unity.

Second World War Period (1939-1945)The Second World War, which broke out in September 1939,

created new strains in the united trade union movement.Hence, again a rift took place in 1941 and the Radicals left

the AITUC with nearly 200 unions with a membership of 3,00,000 and formed a new central federation known as theIndian Federation of Labour

The Post-Independence Period (From 1947 to-date)As pointed out earlier, when attempts to restructure the

AITUC failed, those believing in the aims and ideals otherthan those of the AITUC separated from the organization andestablished the Indian National Trade Union Congress(INTUC) in May, 1947


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MOST IMPORTANT PHASE OF THEMOVEMENT

The period from 1924 to 1935 may be considered as the era ofrevolutionary trade union movement MN Roy, Muzaffer Ahmed, S.A Dange and Shawkat Osmani led

the trade union movements and as a result the politicalconsciousness among industrial workers increased

The First World War and its consequences brought a period of

soaring prices, unprecedented exploitation for theindustrialists but miserably low wages for the workers The emergence of Mahatma Gandhi led to the growth of non-

violent trend of nationalist struggle. Also the non-violent trendof movement could not mobilize the workers and The peasantsfor the national cause

The contemporary socio-political condition was grave toconstitute a national Trade union and drawn into the currentof the independence struggle

At the same time the October revolutions in Russia and theformation of the Comintern accentuated the labors uprisingagainst the capitalist class throughout the world.

The worker class throughout the world awaked to organize aProletarian Revolution. The setting up of a League`


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Some Trade Unions inIndia


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All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)

Origin:

It was established in 1920 as result of a resolution passedby the organized workers of Bombay and the delegateswhich met in a conference on 31st October, 1920.

Structure:The organizational setup includes (i) The affiliated unions

(unit/local level); (ii) provincial bodies (state level); (iii) thegeneral council including office bearers; and (iv) thedelegates to the general or special session.The general council consists of the president, seven vice-presidents, a general secretary, a treasurer, and not morethan five secretaries and members elected by the AITUC onthe basis of the total affiliated membership of unions of

each state, roughly at the rate of one representative forevery 500 members.The working committee consists of all office bearers of theAITUC as ex-officio members and 35 members elected bythe general council by a system of cumulative voting.The general session of the AITUC meets once on two years,

the general council meets once an year and the workingcommittee at least twice an year. The day-to-day operation


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Objectives:To establish a socialist state in Indiato socialize & nationalize means of production, distribution &

exchangeTo improve the economic and social conditions of the

working classTo watch, promote, and further the interests, rights, and

privileges of the workers in all matters relating to theiremployment

To secure and maintain for the workers the freedom of

speech, freedom of press, freedom of association freedomof assembly, the right to strike, and the right to work andmaintenance

To co-ordinate the activities of the labour unions affiliated tothe AITUC

To abolish political or economic advantage based on caste,creed, communit , race or reli ion



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The nationalist leaders took the initiative of forming the Trade union

as a national body

When AITUC came into existence on 31st October 1920, Lala Lajpat

Rai was elected as the President of the AITUC. The national leaders

were closely associated with the Trade union congress. The

celebrated nationalist leaders like C.R. Dass, V.V. Giri and later on

Sarojini Naidu, J.L Nehru etc presided over the annual sessions of

the AITUC By 1927, the number of trade union Congress affiliated to the AITUC

increased to 57

AITUC was influenced by the social democratic ideas of the British

Labor Party



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AITUC though developed with the socialist democratic ideals yet it

was largely under the influence of the moderates

The moderates strongly believed that the political activities of the

labor organizations should not go beyond agitation for the demand

and grievances

The non-violent policies of Mahatma Gandhi upholding trusteeship

and class collaboration had enormous influence on the Trade Union

movement in India

Under the moderate leaders the Trade Union Congress could only

adopt strike as a rare weapon



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The emergence of the communist movement in India in the 1920slent a militant and revolutionary content to the Trade

union Movement

The 4th congress of the Communist international sent a message to

the AITUC demanding an ultimate goal instead of a fair day`s wages

for a fair day`s work

The ultimate aim of AITUC was the demolition of the capitalism and

imperialism. Further the Indian communists were urged to organize

the Trade union Movement on a class basis

During 1926-27the AITUC was divided into two groups called the

reforming and the revolutionary groups

The Communist thinking seemed to carry greater influence in the



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The strikes became the principal weapon of the trade Unionists

They published their own journal Kranti, which became the

instrument to propagate the ideals and principle of the Trade union:

The motto of the Kranti was to overthrow capitalism

The Trade unionists strongly believed that until the capitalists werecompletely overthrown the proletariat would be deprived from the

privileges

The strikes called by the Trade unionists were inspired more by the

political ideas rather than the immediate economic demands

The AITUC later was affiliated to the Pan Pacific secretariat & to the

Third International at Moscow. To protest the Communist

supremacy in the International level, the moderates under the

leadership of Joshi withdrew from AITUC and formed the All India



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The Indian National Trade Union Congress

Origin:The INTUC came into existence on 4th May, 1948, as aresult of the resolution passed on 17th November 1947, bythe Central Board of the Hindustan Mazdoor Sevak Sangh,which was a labour leader on the Gandhian Philosophy ofSarvodaya

Structure:The basic pattern of organization is the industry levelfederation. Units are grouped together for the purpose ofnegotiating the terms and conditions of employment, suchas wages rates, hours of work and other related fringebenefits and working conditions at the industry level which

are to be implemented at the lower level. This methodenables a perspective being taken for the entire industry,rather than a piecemeal approach unitwise. These supportservices are provided by the regional branches and thecouncils. The apex body which is representative of thefederation takes an overall point of view, regarding thebroader issues, such as environment, legislation and

governmental policies and gives directions to the regionalbranches.


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Objectives:To establish an order of society which is free from

hindrances to an all-round development of its individualmembers, which fosters the growth of human personality inall its aspects, and which goes to the utmost limit in

progressively eliminating social, political or economicexploitation and inequality, the profit motive in theeconomic activity and organization of society and the anti-social concentration of power in any form;

to place industry under national ownership and control in asuitable form;

to secure increasing association of workers in theadministration of industry and their full participation in thatcontrol;

The Indian National Trade Union Congress


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United Trade Union Congress (UTUC)

Origin:Some trade union leaders of the socialist bent met togetherDecember 1948 to form a new central organization oflabour, called Hind Mazdoor Sabha. The general council iscomposed of the president, not more than five vicepresidents, a general secretary, not more than twosecretaries, a treasurer, and other members representingvarious industrial sections. The office bearers are elected atthe annual convention.

Objectives:To establish a socialist society in India;To establish a workers and peasants state in India

To nationalize and socialize the means of production,distribution and exchangeTo safeguard and promote the interests, rights, and

privileges to the workers in all matters, social, cultural,economic and political

To secure and maintain workers freedom of speech,freedom of press, freedom of association, freedom of


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Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)

Origin:

This union has been the outcome of decision takenby the Jana Sangh in its Convention at Bhopal on23rd July, 1954

Objectives:

To establish the Bhartiya order of classless society in whichthere shall be secured full employment

To assist workers in organizing themselves in trade unionsas medium of service to the motherland irrespective offaiths and political affinities

The right to strikeTo inculcate in the minds of the workers the spirit of service,

co-operation and dutifulness and develop in them a sense ofresponsibility towards the nation in general and the industry


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National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU)

Origin

This union was founded in 1967, with the claim that this trade union of India isnot controlled by any of the political party, employers or government.

Objectives:

to organize and unite trade unions with the object of building up a NationalCentral Organisation of trade unions, independent of political parties,employers and the government, to further the cause of labour and that ofnational solidarity security and defence of India, and to make the workingpeople conscious of their right as well as of obligations in all spheres of life;

to secure to members of trade unions full facilities of recognition and

effective representation of interests of workers and to ensure for the workingpeople fair conditions of life and service and progressively to raise theirsocial, economic and cultural state and conditions;

to help in every possible way member trade unions in their fight to raise realwages of the workers;

to endeavour to secure for members of affiliated trade unions adoption of


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Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU)

OriginThis union was formed in 1970 when as a result of

the rift in the AITUC, some members of theCommunist party seceded. About the objectives of

the CITU, its constitution says:

StructureThe organizational setup includes (i) central

committee (national level, general council,including office bearers); (ii) a state committee(state level); and (iii) affiliated unions (unit level).

The general council consists of the president, fourvice residents, the general secretary, not more than

four secretaries and a treasurer. Members are


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Objectives:

The CITU believes that the exploitation of the working classcan be ended only by socializing all means of production,distribution and exchange and establishing a socialist state,

that is, it stands for the complete emancipation of thesociety from all exploitation.

The CITU fights against all encroachments on the economicand social rights of the workers and the enlargement of their

rights and liberties including the right to strike, for winning,defending and extending the freedom of the democratictrade union movement.

In the fight for the immediate interest of the working class

the CITU demands: (a) nationalization of all foreignmonopoly concerns who barbarously exploit the working

Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU)


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Political Affiliations As regards leadership, all the four organizations have their political

affiliations, and the leadership, therefore, lies in the hands of thepoliticians, and not in those of the working class, which is yetilliterate and backward to wield any influence.

The AITUC is pro-communist. It is led by the Right CPI. Its attitudetowards the government is not entirely hostile, but of course highlycritical of the government.

The UTUC is radical, non-communist and anti-INTUC. It is led bysome independent trade union leaders, the Forward Block and the

Revolutionary Socialist Party.

On the international level, the INTUC is affiliated to the InternationalConfederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) an organization mainlysupported by the Anglo American block; while the AITUC is affiliatedto the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), supported by theCommunist block.

CRITICISM


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Alarmed at the increasing strength of the Trades Union Movementunder the control of the Extremists, GoI considered it as a threat totheir suzerainty in India

Hence it decided to put restrictions by issuing several legislativeactions:

A Public Safety Bill was introduced in the Legislative Assembly in the

year 1928 but it did not get the majority support Later under the circumstantial pressure the Bill had to be issued in

the form of the Ordinance in 1929 The Trade Disputes Act in 1929, provided for compulsory

appointment of the Courts of Enquiry and Conciliation Boardsfor settling industrial Disputes

It also announced that the strikes were illegal in public utility andservices (like Postal services, Railways, Water & Electric Deptts.) The Act also provided that each individual worker planning

participate in the strike should gave an advance notice of onemonth to the Administration and above all the Act announced thatthe Trade union should forbid political activities

However the Trade Union Movement in India witnessed a rapid

success

Govt. action/reaction


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CONCLUSIONTrade Union is an important factor of thecurrent society, as it safeguards the basicinterest and needs of both the employees as

well as employers, by giving better terms andconditions of employment, secured jobs,better wages, favorable working environmentwhich in turn leads to desired profitability

4.trade union

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