TRADE UNIONS MOVEMENT IN INDIA

Sourabh Modgil

Trade Unions Formed to protect and promote the interests of their

members Primary function is to protect the interests of

workers against discrimination and unfair labor practices

Objectives: Representation (Workers’ Interests) Negotiation (Collective Bargaining) Voice in decisions (Lay off, Retrenchment) affecting

workers Member Service (Education, Training, Welfare,

Discounts, Loans)Functions:

i) Militant functions,(ii) Fraternal functions

Importance of Trade Unions For industrial peace

Decisions taken through the process of collective bargaining and negotiations between employer and unions are more influential

Effective communication between the workers and the management

Economic development Recruitment & selection Discipline among workforce Settlement of ID in rational manner

Purpose of Trade Unions

Employment Protection and Job Creation.

Economic Protection. Social Status - Identity. Political Role - Democratic Institution Societal Obligation - Transformation. Competitiveness / Sustainable

Development.

Why do people join Union?

Greater Bargaining Power Minimize Discrimination Sense of Security Sense of Participation Sense of Belongingness Platform for self expression Betterment of relationships

Multiple Unions: Causes

Membership related Issues Discontent Leadership Related Issues Avenues, intra union fights, leadership

issues Political Issues Regional, Organizational Limitations Legal

Multiple Union: Solution

Suggested: One Industry - One Union You may have any number of registered

unions Recognition is the key

SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS OF UNIONS Wage & salary bargaining Fight for continuous improvement in

employee benefits Improving working conditions at work

place Improving welfare, healthcare &

recreation facilities, and leisure at workplace

Increasing rest periods, holidays, paid leave and time-offs

SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS OF UNIONS Decreasing working hours, work load

esp. manual, and hazardous working conditions

Improving career and salary rise prospects & job security

Protecting employees against arbitrary / unjust actions of Management

Major Trade Union Organizations AITUC (All India Trade Union Congress) Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Hind Mazdoor Sabha All India Council of Central Trade Unions All India United Trade Union Centre United Trade Union Centre All India federations of banks, insurance,

railways, defence, telecom, airline and airports.

Centre of Indian Trade Unions -president M.K. Pandhe

Present Central Trade Union

Organizations All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat (HMKP) Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) Indian Federation of Free Trade Unions (IFFTU) Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU) National Labor Organization (NLO) Trade Unions Co-ordination Centre (TUCC) United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) United Trade Union Congress - Lenin Sarani

(UTUC - LS)

Problems for Trade Union Growth

Off-Centering Labour Segmentation of Workforce Core / Periphery Employment Instability Investment Attraction Individualisation of Labour Relations Labour Cost Cutting Leadership Credibility/ Inside vs. Outside

leadership Failure of Institutions Emergence of Non-union firms/ E-union/ Cyber-

union