Trade Union in India – All about it

Introduction

Labour laws are the ones dealing with employment laws in any organization – whether it is a manufacturing organization or trading organization or shops and establishments. The labor laws address the various administrative rulings (such as employment standing orders) and procedures to be followed, compliance to be made and it addresses the legal rights of, and restrictions on, working people and their organizations. By and large labor law covers industrial relations, trade union, certification of trade union, labor-management relations, collective bargaining, unfair labor practices, and very important workplace health and safety with good environmental conditions.

During the early stage of capitalism, the relationship between the capitalist and the labourer was governed by the principle of master and slave. According to this principle, the capitalist was a man and the labour was a thing. The former, therefore, could not confer on the latter nor could the latter contract from the former any rights. The capitalist did not employ the labourer; either he bought him or got him. The relationship between them was based on coercion and not on free will. In the language of the law, it was status and not contract that determined their relationship.

Later on, when the labourer’s position improved from slave to serf, he could contract few rights. But even then, the capitalist retained most of his unrestricted coercive powers over him. As a serf, the labourer was neither an unfree  slave nor a   free servant; he was rather a half slave and half servant. It was predominantly status, again, that determined the relationship between the labourer as a  serf  and  the capitalist.

In the next stage, the capital-labour relationship came to be based on contract instead of on status. The relationship between the capitalist and the labourer was now that of master and servant. They were, at least in theory, free to acquire rights from and impose duties upon each other by voluntary mutual contract;  though  in  practice the freedom was false. The then prevailing state of policy of laissez faire i.e. of letting the bargain between the capitalist and the labourer be what they liked in combination with the superior social and economic position of  the capitalist,  rendered the freedom of contract meaningless.

In industrially developed countries, there are every Trade Unionism in the fields of Agriculture, Industry, Bus and Lorry, Handy Workers and Labours, and Edu- Professionals, etc. Their Trade Unionism had made a great impact on the social,  political, and economic life, while in India; Trade Unionism can be seen only in the field of Industrial area. As long a history of human society various conflicts between workers’ group and employers’ group have been lasting in the form of strikes, gherao, lockout, pen down etc against exploitation. To make people strengthen  in a  democratic way to asset their demands over their contribution to an organization, people associate themselves in a group and constitute a Union for common welfare. Thus Trade Union is an instrument of defence formed by employees against exploitation to protect themselves from economic as well as social interests. This is a complex institution with a numerous facts like social, economic, political and psychological. Trade Union provides services as an agent of workers and working classes at large. In this epistle thought on Trade Union Movement in India, a brief discussion is made on stipulations in relation to Trade Unionism.

What is the work of the Trade Union?

The need for Trade Unionism since the human set up has  been felt  necessary in the following ways-

1. To provide job security to the worker’s group working in different industries.
2. To safeguard workers common interests.
3. To bring the situation in participation of decision making.
4. To communicate better industrial relation among workers, employers and system groups.
5. To bring an industrial relation with win-win- situation through collective bargaining with the union leaders’ representativeness

History of Trade Union in India:

In India and all over the globe, the Trade Union movement has been considered the product of industrial development since the First World War 1914-18. Before the time Indian workers were poor and did not have strong union to effort legal fight against any exploiters. At that time they used to follow the guidelines of Government of India’s Factory Act 1881 which was not perfect to protect the interests of employees. The system of collective bargaining was totally absent. In several industries, the workers went on strikes every now and then to secure wage increase. In  that  mean  time, Labour leader Narayan Meghaji Lokkande led a labour movement and formed “Bombay Mill Hands Association” and succeeded a weekly holiday system  for  Bombay Mill Owners Association.

In 1918 Trade Union Movement in India became more organized and formed varieties of unions e.g. Indian Collie or Employees Association, Indian Seamen’s’ Union, Railway Men’s Union, Port Trust Employees Union etc. Meanwhile Gandhiji formed The Textile Labour Association in 1920 for fulfilling the demands of spinners and weavers society. More over the different labour unions and their representatives from all over India met in Bombay in 1920 and established the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) led by Lala Lajpat Rai.

With the days passed, Trade Union Movement in India gradually strengthened and became national figure in leading of periodic strikes, Gherao, picketing and boycotts etc in contrary of different work fields for prevention and settlement of industrial disorders. The historic background of Bombay Mill Case of  1920  over  which Madras High Court witnessed Madras Labour Union forbidding by an interim injunction against The Laborers’ strike which was pondered about some necessary legislation for protecting the sustained Trade Union in India.

As a result Mr. N.M. Joshi, the then General Secretary of All  India Trade  Union Congress moved a resolution in the Central Legislative Assembly in 1921 recommending the Government to introduce legislation for the registration and protection of Trade Union’s existence in India. The resolution was strongly protested  by Bombay Mills Owners and it took a long bed rest on the table of the Central Legislative Assembly.

While in the year of 1924, many communist leaders were arrested and prosecuted against aggressive and lengthy strikes. From the period numbers of Indian working classes including Peasants Party united and demanded Indian government through the AITUC to pass an act to protect the interest of all India workers group which results The Trade Union Act 1926 in India. More over different situations in different times formed many Unions and Federations, which of some are All  India Trade Union Congress 1920, Red Trade Union Congress 1931, National Federation of Labour 1933 Red Trade Union Congress merged with AITUC in 1935 and Indian Federation of Labour 1941 etc.

The importance of the formation of an organized trade union was realized by nationalist leaders like Mahatma Gandhi who to improve the employer and worker relationship gave the concept of trusteeship which envisaged the cooperation of the workers and employers. According to the concept, the people who are financially sound should hold the property not only to make such use of the property which will be beneficial for themselves but should make such use the property which is for the welfare of the workers who are financially not well placed in the society and each worker should think of himself as being a trustee of other workers and strive to safeguard the interest of the other workers.

Many commissions also emphasized the formation  of  trade unions in  India for eg. The Royal Commission on labour or Whitley commission on labour which   was set up in the year 1929-30 recommended that the problems created by modern industrialization in India are similar to the problems it  created  elsewhere  in  the world and the only solution left is the formation  of strong trade unions to  alleviate  the labours from their miserable condition and exploitation.

The Eighteenth Session of the All-India Trade Union Congress led by Suresh Chandra Banerjee, President of the Congress, was held at Bombay on 28 and 29 September 1940; The session constituted a landmark in the history of the Indian Trade Union Movement is that it witnessed the restoration of complete unity in Indian Trade Union from the merging of the National  Trades Union Federation in the All-India  Trade Union Congress.

A Tripartite Labour Conference was convened in 1942 to provide common platform for discussion between employees and employers. Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) was formed in 1947 to settle the industrial disputes in democratic and peaceful methods. Moreover, the Indian Federation of Labour formed  in 1949, Hind Mazdoor Sabha in 1948 and United Trade Union Congress formed in 1949 in the national level and recognized by the government of India as to serve national and International conference. Trade Union Movement does not delimit its operation within Bombay vicinity nor Delhi only. With the passage of time the movement spreads all across the country and convenient groups  welcome  the  organism of Trade Union Movement from different parts of India. In state of Assam,  the garden men’s forum, Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha, claims for their minimum wages from their employers according to the rules of The  Plantation  Labour  Act, 1951, which regulates the wages of tea-garden workers, their duty hours and the amenities, states that the management is supposed to provide housing, drinking water, education, health care, child care facilities, accident cover and protective equipment.

ILO Conventions relating to trade Unions and Constitutional Provision:

International Labour Organisation (ILO) is the most important organisation in the world level and it has been working for the benefit of the workers throughout the world. It was established in the year 1919. It is a tripartiate body consisting of representatives of the Government, Employer, workers. It functions in a democratic  way by taking interest for the protection of working class throughout the world.

It is also working at the international level as a ‘saviour of workers’ ‘protector  of poor’ and it is a beacon light for the change of social justice and social security.    The I.L.O examines each and every problem of the workers pertaining  to  each  member country and discusses thoroughly in the tripartiate body of all the countries. The I.L.O passes many Conventions and Recommendations on different subjects like Social Security, Basic Human Rights, Welfare Measures and Collective  Bargaining.  On the basis of Conventions and Recommendations of I.L.O. every  country incorporates its recommendations and suggestions in its respective laws.

The idea of protecting the interest of the labour against the exploitation of capitalists owes its origin to the philanthropic ideology of early thinkers and philosophers, and famous among them is “Robert Owen” who being himself an employer took interest in regulating hazardous working conditions of the workers and also in human conditions under which the workers were being crushed underneath the giant wheels of production.

Aims of the International Labour Organisation:

The principle aim of the I.L.O is the welfare of labour as reaffirmed by the Philadelphia Conference of 1944 under the Philadelphia Declaration, on which the I.L.O. is based

• Labour is not a commodity;
• Freedom of expression and of association are essential to sustained progress;
• Poverty anywhere constitutes danger to prosperity everywhere; and
• The war against want requires to be carried on with unrelenting vigour within each nation, and by continuous and  concerted  international  effort in which the representatives of workers and  employers,  employing equal status with those of governments, join with them in  free discussion and democratic decision with a view to the promotion    of the common welfare.

International Labour Standards on Freedom of Association:

The principle of freedom of association is at the core of the ILO’s values: it is enshrined in the ILO Constitution (1919), the ILO Declaration of Philadelphia (1944), and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998). It is also a right proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of  Human  Rights (1948).  The right  to organize and form employers’ and workers’ organizations is the  prerequisite  for sound collective bargaining and social dialogue. Nevertheless, there continue to be challenges in applying these principles: in some countries certain  categories  of  workers (for example public servants, seafarers, workers in export  processing zones) are denied the right of association, workers’ and employers’ organizations are illegally suspended or interfered  with, and in some extreme cases trade unionists are arrested    or killed. ILO standards, in conjunction  with the work of the Committee on Freedom   of Association and other supervisory mechanisms, pave the way for resolving these difficulties and ensuring that this fundamental human right is  respected  the  world over.

1.     Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948:

This Convention provides that workers and employers shall have the right to establish and join organizations of their own choosing without previous authorization. The public authorities are to refrain from any interference which  would restrict the  right to form organization or impede its lawful exercise. These organizations shall not be liable to be dissolved or suspended by administrative authority. It also provides protection against act of anti-union discrimination in respect  of  their  employment. This convention has been ratified by Albania, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil,

Byelorussia, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland and France. Federal Republic of Germany and India have not ratified this particular convention.

As regards the Trade Unions Act, 1926, it limits the number of outsiders in the executive of a trade union. Further there is restriction on outsiders in the federations     of Government servants who cannot affiliate themselves with any  central  federations of workers. Also, the Government in public interest can forego  any  association or  trade union and detain or arrest a trade union leader under the Essential Services Act, 1967 , the Preventive Detention Act, 1950, the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, 1971 Likewise the Code of discipline in industry, although non-legal and non-  statutory, one regulates the organization of constitution of India itself, while guaranteeing freedom in public interest and public good. These laws and practice on trade unions do not conform to the requirements of the convention.

2.     Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949

This fundamental convention provides that workers shall enjoy adequate protection against acts of anti-union discrimination, including requirements that a worker not join a union or relinquish trade union membership for employment, or dismissal of a worker because of union membership or participation  in  union  activities. Workers’ and employers’ organizations shall enjoy adequate protection  against any acts of interference by each other, in particular the establishment of  workers’ organizations under the domination of employers  or  employers’  organizations, or the support of workers’ organizations by financial or other means,  with the object of placing such organizations under the control of employers or employers’ organizations. The convention also enshrines the right to collective bargaining.

3.     Workers’ Representatives Convention, 1971

Workers’ representatives in an undertaking shall enjoy effective protection against any act prejudicial to them, including dismissal, based on their status or activities as a workers’ representative or on union membership  or  participation  in union activities, in so far as they act in conformity with existing laws or collective agreements or other jointly agreed arrangements. Facilities in the undertaking shall be afforded to workers’ representatives as may be appropriate in order to enable them to carry out their functions promptly and efficiently.

4.     Rural Workers’ Organizations Convention, 1975

All categories of rural workers, whether they are wage earners or self- employed, shall have the right to establish and, subject only to the rules of the organization concerned, to join organizations, of their own choosing without previous authorization. The principles of freedom of association shall be fully respected; rural workers’ organizations shall be independent and voluntary in character and  shall  remain free from all interference, coercion or repression. National  policy  shall  facilitate the establishment and growth, on a voluntary basis,  of  strong  and independent organizations of rural workers as an effective means of ensuring the participation of these workers in economic and social development.

Freedom of Association and Constitution of India:

Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution of India, 1950 which  envisages  fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression also guarantees the country’s citizens the right “to form associations or unions” including trade unions. The right guaranteed in Article 19(1) (c) also includes the right to join an association or union. This right carries with it the right of the State to impose reasonable restrictions. Furthermore, it has been established that the right to form associations or unions does not in any manner encompass the guarantee that a trade union so formed shall be enabled to engage in collective bargaining or achieve the purpose for which it was formed. The right to recognition of the trade union by the employer was not brought within the purview of the right under Article 19(1)(c) and thus,  such  recognition  denied by the employer will not be considered as a violation of Article 19(1)(c). The various freedoms that are recognized under  the fundamental  right,  Article 19(1)(c),  are

1. The right of the members of the union to meet,
2. The right of the members to move from place to place,
3. The right to discuss their problems and propagate their views, and
4. The right of the members to hold property.

Objectives of Trade Union Act:

Trade union is a voluntary organization of workers relating to a specific trade, industry or a company and formed to help and protect their interests and welfare by collective action. Trade unions are the most suitable organizations for balancing and

improving the relations  between the employees  and the employer. They are formed  not only to cater to the workers’ demand, but also for imparting discipline and inculcating in them the sense of responsibility. They aim to:-

1. Secure fair wages for workers and improve their opportunities for promotion  and training.
2. Safeguard security of tenure and improve their conditions of service.
3. Improve working and living conditions of workers.
4. Provide them educational, cultural and recreational facilities.
5. Facilitate technological advancement by broadening the understanding of the workers.
6. Help them in improving levels of production, productivity, discipline and high standard of living.
7. Promote individual and collective welfare and thus correlate the workers’ interests with that of their industry.
8. to take participation in management for decision-making in connection to workers and to take disciplinary action against the worker who commits in- disciplinary action.

Definition of Trade Union:

Sec 2 (h) states that “Trade Union” means any  combination,  whether  temporary or permanent, formed primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between workmen and employers or between workmen and workmen, or between employers and employers, or for imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business, and includes any federation of two or more Trade Unions.

Important elements of Trade Union:

1. There must be combination of workmen and employers;
2. There must be trade or business; and
3. The main object of the Union must be to regulate relations  of  employers and employees or to impose restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business.

In Rangaswami V. S Registrar of Trade Unions, in the Raj Bhavan at Guindy,  a number of persons are employed in various capacities such as  household,  staff, peons, chauffers, tailors, carpenters, maistries, gardeners, sweepers etc. There are also gardeners and maistries employed at the Raj Bhavan at  Ootacamund. Those persons  are employed for doing domestic and other services and for the maintenance of the Governor’s household and to attend to the needs of the Governor, the members of his family, staff and State guests. When employees applied for the registration of trade union, the registrar had rejected their application on the ground that, Raj Bhavan not comes under the meaning of trade and business. The petition has been field seeking to set aside the order of the Registrar of Trade Unions, Madras refusing to register the union of employees of the Madras Raj Bhavan as a trade union  under  the  Trade Unions Act.

Supreme Court rejecting the petition, held that, even apart from the  circumstance that a large section of employees at Raj Bhavan  are  Government  servants who could not form themselves into a trade union, it cannot be stated that the workers are employed in a trade or business carried on by the employer. The services rendered by them are purely of a personal nature.  The union  of such  workers would not come within the scope of the Act, so as to entitle it to registration there under.

The term “trade union” as defined under the Act contemplates the existence of the employer and he employee engaged in the conduct of a trade or business. The definition of the term “workmen” in Sec. 2 (g) would prima facie indicate that it was intended only for interpreting the term “trade dispute”. But even assuming that that definition could be imported for understanding the scope of the meaning of the term “trade union” in S. 2 (h), it is obvious that the industry should  be  one  as  would amount to a trade or business, i.e., a commercial undertaking. So much is  plain from  the definition of the term “trade union”, itself. I say this because the definition of “industry” in the Industrial Disputes Act is of wider significance. Section 2 (j) of the Industrial Disputes Act which defines “industry” states its meaning as “any business, trade undertaking, manufacture or calling of employers and includes any calling, services, employment, handicraft or industrial occupation or avocation of workmen.”

In Tamil Nadu NGO Union v. Registrar, Trade Unions, in this  case  Tamil  Nadu NGO Union, which was an association of sub magistrates of the judiciary, tahsildars, etc., was not a trade union because these people were engaged in sovereign and regal functions of the State which were its inalienable functions. In GTRTCS and Officer’s Association, Bangalore and others vs Asst. Labor Commissioner and

anothers, in this case the definition of workmen for the purpose of Trade Unions is a   lot wider than in other acts and that the emphasis is on the purpose of the association rather than the type of workers and so it is a valid Trade Union.

Definition of Trade Dispute:

“trade dispute” means any dispute between employers and workmen, or between workmen and workmen, or between employers and employers which is connected with the employment or non-employment, or the  terms of employment or  the conditions of labor, of any person, and “workmen” means all persons employed in trade or industry whether or not in the employment of the employer with whom the  trade dispute arises;

Procedures for the Registration of Trade Unions:

The main object of the Trade Unions Act, 1926 is to provide machinery for registration and regulation of Trade Unions. Although registration of a trade union is  not mandatory, it is advisable to register the trade unions as  the  registered  trade  unions are entitled to get several benefits, immunities and protection under the act. There are specific rights and privileges conferred on the members of the registered  trade unions. The members of the registered trade unions are entitled to get protection, immunity and certain exceptions from some civil and criminal  liabilities.  A  trade union can only be registered under the Trade Unions Act, 1926.

Trade union Act, 1926 not provides compulsory registration. However, there  are certain disadvantages of non registration. Therefore it is better to register the trade union. The following is the procedure for registration of trade union.

Appointment of Registrar:

Section 3 of the Trade Union Act, 1926 empowers  the  appropriate  Government to appoint a person to be a registrar of Trade Unions. The appropriate Government is also empowered to appoint additional and Deputy Registrars  as  it  thinks fit for the purpose of exercising and discharging the powers and duties of the Registrar. However, such person will work under the superintendence and direction of the Registrar. He may exercise such powers and functions of Registrar with local limit as may be specified for this purpose.

Mode of registration:

Sec 4  of the Act states that, any seven or more  members of a Trade Union  may, by subscribing their names to the rules of the Trade Union and by otherwise complying with the provisions of this Act with respect to registration, apply for registration of the Trade Union under this Act. However, no Trade Union of workmen shall be registered unless at least ten per cent. or one hundred of the workmen, whichever is less, engaged or employed in the  establishment or industry with which it  is connected are the members of such Trade Union on the date of making  of  application for registration.

No Trade Union of workmen shall be registered unless it has on the date of making application not less than seven persons as its members, who are workmen engaged or employed in the establishment or industry with which it is connected.

Where an application has been made under sub-section (1) of Sec 4 for the registration of a Trade Union, such application shall not be deemed to have become invalid merely by reason of the fact that, at any time after the date of the application,  but before the registration of the Trade Union, some of the applicants, but not  exceeding half of the total number of  persons who  made  the application, have ceased to be members of the Trade Union or have given notice in writing to the Registrar dissociating themselves from the applications.

The Supreme Court in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam held that, any group of employees may be registered as a trade union under the Act for the purpose of regulating the relations between them and their employer or between themselves. It would be apparent from this definition that any group of employees which comes together primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between them and their employer or between them and other workmen may be registered as  a trade union  under the Act.

Application for registration:

Application for registration must be submitted in the prescribed format. Sec 5 provides that, every application for registration of a Trade Union shall be made to the

Registrar, and shall be accompanied by a copy of the rules of the Trade Union and a statement of the following particulars, namely:

1. the names, occupations and addresses of the members making the application;
2. in the case of a Trade Union of workmen, the names, occupations  and  addresses of the place of work of the members of the Trade Union making the application;
3. the name of the Trade Union and the address of its head office; and
4. the titles, names, ages, addresses and occupations of the 4 office-bearers of the Trade Union.

Where a Trade Union has been in existence for more than one year before the making of an application for its registration, there shall be delivered to the Registrar, together with the application, a general statement of the assets and liabilities of the Trade Union prepared in such form and containing such particulars as may be prescribed.

Provisions to be contained in the rules of a Trade Union:

Every application must accompany the rules of trade union that has been provided under Sec 6 of the Act. A Trade Union shall not be entitled to registration under this Act, unless the executive thereof is constituted in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and the rules thereof provide for the following matters, namely:

1. the name of the Trade Union;
2. the whole of the objects for which the Trade Union has been established;
3. the whole of the purposes for which the general funds of the Trade Union shall be applicable, all of which purposes shall be purposes to which such funds are lawfully applicable under this Act;
4. the maintenance of a list of the members of the Trade Union and adequate facilities for the inspection thereof by the office-bearers and members of Trade Union;
5. the admission of ordinary members who shall be persons actually engaged or employed in an industry with which the Trade  Union is connected, and  also  the admission of the number of honorary or temporary members as office- bearers required under section 22 to form the executive of the Trade Union;
6. the payment of a minimum subscription by members of the  Trade  Union  which shall not be less than—
   • one rupee per annum for rural workers;
   • three rupees per annum for workers in other unorganized sectors; and
   • twelve rupees per annum for workers in any other case;
7. the conditions under which any member shall be  entitled  to  any  benefit assured by the rules and under which any fine or forfeiture may be imposed on the members;
8. the manner in which the rules shall be amended, varied or rescinded;
9. the manner in which the members of the executive and the other office-bearers of the Trade Union shall be elected and removed;
10. the duration of period being not more than three years, for which the members of the executive and other office-bearers of the Trade Union shall be elected;
11. the safe custody of the funds of the Trade Union, an annual audit, in such manner as may be prescribed, of the accounts thereof, and  adequate facilities  for the inspection of the account books by the office-bearers and members of  the Trade Union; and
12. the manner in which the Trade Union may be dissolved.

Power to call for further particulars and to require alteration of name:

Under Sec 7 of the Act, the Registrar has power to call for further information for the purpose of satisfying himself that any application complies with the provisions of section 5, or that the Trade Union is entitled to registration under section 6, and    may refuse to register the Trade Union until such information is supplied.

It further states that, if the name under which a Trade Union is proposed to be registered is identical with that by which any other existing Trade Union has been registered or, in the opinion of the Registrar, so nearly resembles such name as to be likely to deceive the public or the members of either Trade Union, the Registrar shall require the persons applying for registration to alter  the name of  the Trade Union  stated in the application, and shall refuse to register the Union until such alteration has been made.

Registration:

As per sec 8 of the Act, the Registrar, on being satisfied that the Trade Union has complied with all the requirements of this Act in regard to registration,  shall register the Trade Union by entering in a register, to be maintained in such form as   may be prescribed, the particulars relating to the Trade Union contained in the  statement accompanying the application for registration.

Certificate of registration:

Sec 9 of the Act empowers the Registrar, on registering a Trade Union under section 8, shall issue a certificate of registration in the prescribed form which shall be conclusive evidence that the Trade Union has been duly registered under this Act.

Minimum requirement about membership of a Trade Union:

Sec 9-A provides that, a registered Trade Union of workmen shall at all times continue to have not less than ten percent or one hundred of the workmen, whichever    is less, subject to a minimum of seven, engaged or employed in an establishment or industry with which it is connected, as its members.

Cancellation of registration:

A certificate of registration of a Trade Union may be withdrawn or cancelled under Sec 10 of the Act, by the Registrar

1. on the application of the Trade Union to be verified in such manner as may be prescribed;
2. if the Registrar is satisfied that the certificate has been obtained by fraud or mistake, or that the Trade Union has ceased to exist or has willfully and after notice from the Registrar contravened any provision of this Act or allowed any rule to continue in force which is inconsistent with any such provision, or has rescinded any rule providing for any matter provision for which is required by section 6;
3. if the Registrar is satisfied that a registered Trade Union of workmen ceases to have the requisite number of members:

Registrar to the Trade Union shall give a previous notice of two months in writing specifying the ground on which he proposed to withdraw or cancel the certificate of registration otherwise than on the application of the Trade Union.

Appeal:

Any person aggrieved by any refusal of the Registrar to register a Trade Union or by the withdrawal or cancellation of a certificate of registration may, within such period as may be prescribed, appeal under Sec 11 of the Act,

1. where the head  office of  the Trade Union is situated within the limits  of a Presidency town to the High Court, or
2. where the head office is situated in an area, falling within the  jurisdiction of a Labour Court or an  Industrial  Tribunal, to that Court  or Tribunal, as the case may be;
3. where the head office is situated in any area, to such Court, not inferior to the Court of an additional or assistant Judge of  a principal Civil  Court of original jurisdiction, as the appropriate Government may appoint in this behalf for that area.

The appellate Court may dismiss the appeal, or pass an order directing the Registrar to register the Union and to issue a certificate of registration under the provisions of section 9 or setting aside the order or withdrawal or cancellation of the certificate, as the case may be, and the Registrar shall comply with such order.

Advantages of registration of trade Union:

A trade union enjoys the following advantages after registration under sec 13,namely

1. A trade union after registration becomes a body corporate
2. It gets perpetual succession and common seal
3. It can acquire and hold both movable and immovable property
4. It can enter into a contract
5. It can sue and be sued in its registered name

Objects on which general funds may be spent:

Sec 15 provides the objects on which general fund may be spent. The general funds of a registered Trade Union shall not be spent on any other objects than the following, namely:—

1. the payment of salaries, allowances and expenses to office-bearers  of  the  Trade Union;
2. the payment of expenses for the administration of the Trade Union, including audit of the accounts of the general funds of the Trade Union;
3. the prosecution or defence of any legal proceeding to which the Trade Union    or any member thereof is a party, when such prosecution or defence is undertaken for the purpose of securing or protecting any rights of the Trade Union as such or any rights arising out of the relations of any member with his employer or with a person whom the member employs;
4. the conduct of trade disputes on behalf of the Trade Union or any member thereof;
5. the compensation of members for loss arising out of trade disputes;
6. allowances to members or their dependants on account of death, old age, sickness, accidents or unemployment of such members;
7. the issue of, or the undertaking of liability under, policies of assurance on the lives of members, or under policies insuring members against  sickness,  accident or unemployment;
8. the provision of educational, social or religious benefits  for  members (including the payment of the expenses of funeral or religious ceremonies for deceased members) or for the dependants of members;
9. the upkeep of a periodical published mainly for the purpose of discussing questions affecting employers or workmen as such;
10. the payment, in furtherance of any of the objects on which the general funds of the Trade Union may be spent, of contributions to any cause  intended  to  benefit workmen in general, provided that the expenditure in respect of such contributions in any financial year shall not at any time during that year be in excess of one-fourth of the combined total of the gross income which has up to that time accrued to the general funds of the Trade Union during that year and  of the balance at the credit of those funds at the commencement of that year.

Constitution of a separate fund for political purposes:

A registered Trade Union may constitute a separate fund, from contributions separately levied for or made to that fund, from which payments may be made, for the promotion of the civic and political interests of its members, in furtherance of any of  the objects specified in sub-section (2).

Sub Sec (2) of sec 16 provides the following object on which  political fund  may be spent, namely

1. the payment of any expenses incurred, either directly or indirectly, by a candidate or prospective candidate for election as a member of any legislative body constituted under the Constitution or of any local authority,  before,  during, or after the election in connection with his candidature or election; or
2. the holding of any meeting or the distribution of any literature or documents in support of any such candidate or prospective candidate; or
3. the maintenance of any person who is a member of any legislative body constituted under the Constitution or for any local authority; or
4. the registration of electors or the selection of a candidate for any legislative  body constituted under the Constitution or for any local authority; or
5. the holding of political meetings of any kind, or the distribution of political literature or political documents of any kind.

Contribution to political fund is not compulsory:

The subscription to a trade union for political funds is only voluntary. Sec 16

• provides that, If a member does not contribute to the political fund, he will  be  under no disadvantage or disability but in respect of control and management of this fund. He cannot be excluded in any way from the benefits of the trade union nor  can any condition be imposed for his admission to the trade union.

Immunities/Privileges of a Registered Trade Union:

In the case of Buckinghum and Carnatic Mills, the employers were awarded damages and the unions were held responsible for illegal conspiracies. The Trade Unions Act, 1926 has made provisions for the members and office-bearers of a registered trade union from criminal and civil conspiracies during the strikes and causing any financial loss to the employer.

Workmen’s Right to sell his labour at his own price,  and the  employer’s  right to determine the terms and conditions on which he would get the work done, have seldom been absolute. In former days. statutes fixing wages prohibited labour to claim more. In modem times, minimum standard legislations prohibit employers to pay less.

The repeal of mediaeval statutes opened the theoretical possibility of free bargaining between workmen and employers (subject, of course, to the provisions of  the minimum standard statutes). If the terms of employment were not satisfactory, the worker could withdraw his labour until the employer paid more. Ifthe terms were too onerous, the employer could suspend  the work until the workmen accepted less.  But,  in practice, mechanization of industries which took away the importance of their craftsmanship, surplus labour market which made alternative  cheap labour available, the statutes penalizing breach of contract under which workmen except on pain of imprisonment, agitated for better terms. and the overall economic superiority of employers heavily tilted the bargaining power in favour ofthe employer and the workmen became helpless participants.

Under the circumstances, it was natural for the working class to combine together to retrieve their lost position. But the Act of combination invited the  application of the concept of conspiracy to labour management relations and although the law did not make any distinction between employers and workmen as such. the element of combination made labourers the worst sufferers. Further, in an era which  was fast moving from status to contract, the workmen’s “protest” also invited the application of the common law doctrine of restraint of trade. By the time law courts refined the “objectives” and the “means” tests to protect protest movement from conspiracy and disentangled labour management relations from the  concept  of  restraint of trade, the community itself had intervened to protect labour from the  hazards of the aforesaid common law doctrines. But, the passage of time and resulting experience made it equally clear that the community could not  altogether  ignore  strikes and lock-outs. Quite apart from the economic aspects, and law and order which in themselves were important, the health and welfare of the people depended on the smooth running of industries.

Until 1926, unions of workers indulging in strike and causing financial loss to management were liable for illegal conspiracies. For instance in Buckingham and Carnatic Mills the unions were held liable for illegal conspiracies and employers were awarded damages. It was only in 1926 that the Trade Unions Act, 1926 immunizes  trade union activity, from restraint of trade and conspiracy. But these provisions are of pre constitutional era. These statutory provisions must now be considered in the light   of the Constitutional guarantees of the right to freedom of speech and expression, to assemble peaceably, to form associations and unions, to practice any profession and to carry on any occupation, trade or business, and grants protection against economic exploitation.

Let’s examine the nature and scope of the immunity afforded to the members and office-bearers of registered trade union from civil and criminal conspiracies and restraint of trade under the Trade Unions Act, 1926.

1.      Immunity From Criminal Conspiracy

Section 17 of the Trade Unions Act, 1926 seeks to insulate  trade  unions  activity from liability for criminal conspiracy. It states that, no  office-bearer  or  member of a registered Trade Union shall be liable to punishment under sub-section of Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code in respect of any agreement made between the members for the purpose of furthering any such  object  of  the  Trade Union as is specified in Section 15, unless the agreement is an agreement to commit    an offence.

The immunity is, however, available only:

• to office-bearers and members of registered trade unions;
• for agreement;
• which further any such trade union object as is specified in section 15   of the Act; and
• which are not agreements to commit offences.

The last of the limitations on the scope of the immunity granted by section 17   of the Trade Unions Act, 1926 raises an issue relating to the very nature of the immunity. Section 120-A of the Indian Penal Code defines criminal conspiracy  to mean: (i) an agreement between two or more persons to commit an offence, t.e., in general,” an act which is punishable under the Indian Penal Code or any other law for

the time being in force; and (ii) an overt act done in pursuance of  an  agreement between two or more persons to do an illegal act or to do a legal act by illegal means. The Indian Penal Code defines the word “illegal” to include, inter alia, everything  which is prohibited by law, or which furnishes ground for a civil action.

Since workman’s use of instruments of economic coercion in an industrial dispute involve breach of contract and ‘frequently injury to the property right of the employer both of which are actionable, use of the instruments of economic coercion amounts to an illegal act within the meaning of section 120-A read with section 43 of the Indian Penal Code. However, section 18 of the Trade Unions Act, inter alia. provides: No suit or other legal proceeding shall be maintainable in any. Civil Court against any registered Trade Union or any office  bearer or member  thereof in respect of any act ‘done in contemplation or furtherance of a trade dispute to which a member  of the Trade Union is a party on the ground only that such act induces some other person to break a contract of employment, or that it is in interference with the trade, business or employment of some other person or with the right of some other person    to dispose of his capital or of his labour as he wills.

Thus, under Section 17 the breach of contract and  injury  to  employers  property right cease to be actionable and. therefore, does not amount to criminal conspiracy” as defined in section 120-A read with section 43  of  the  Indian  Penal Code. A question, therefore, arises as, what is the criminal liability in respect of which Section 17 of the Trade Unions Act, 1926 grants immunity? In considering  the matter  it is relevant to note that section 17 does not grant charter of liberty to commit an offence, which is punishable with death, life imprisonment or rigorous imprisonment  for a term of two years or more. In fact as the last words of the section 17 of the Trade Union Act, 1926 indicate that it does not insulate agreement to commit any offence whatsoever. Perhaps the immunity is confined to agreement between two or more persons to do or cause to be done, acts which are prohibited by law but which neither amounts to an offence nor furnishes ground for civil action.

Breach of contract does give rise to a civil cause of action, therefore, under section 43 of the Indian Penal Code an agreement to commit breach of  contract  through withdrawal of labour as an instrument of economic coercion in an industrial dispute, is a criminal conspiracy. Further, so long as any law declares withdrawal of

labour in breach of contract to be an  offence of a member of  the  consenting party  takes any step to encourage, abet, instigate, persuade, incite or in any manner act in furtherance of the objective, the crime of criminal conspiracy would have been committed. Finally, since criminal conspiracy is a substantive offence  punishable  under section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code it is doubtful if Section 17 grants immunity at all.

The word “illegal” is applicable to everything which is an offence or which is prohibited by law, or which furnishes ground for a civil action, and a person is said to  be “legally’ bound to do, whatever it is illegal for him  to omit. Reading section 18 of  the Trade Unions Act with section 43 of the Indian Penal Code it would appear that withdrawal of labour as an instrument of economic coercion in an industrial dispute in breach of contract is not illegal. Accordingly, an agreement between two or more workmen, members of a registered trade union to withdraw labour as an instrument of economic coercion in an industrial dispute is not an agreement “to do or cause to be done an illegal act” and amounts to a criminal conspiracy within the  meaning  of section 120-A of the Indian Penal Code. Accordingly, withdrawal  of labour in breach  of contract does not give rise to a cause of action in civil courts.

The Calcutta High Court in Jay Engineering Works Ltd. v. Staff while interpreting the provisions of section 17 of the Trade Unions Act, 1926 held that, no protection is available to the members of a trade union for any agreement to commit    an offence. When a group of workers, large or small, combined to do an act for the purpose of one common aim or object it must be held that there  is  an  agreement among the workers to do the act and if the act committed is an offence,  it  must similarly be held that there is an agreement to commit an offence.

2.      Immunity From Civil Actions

Section 18 of the Trade Unions Act, 1926, grants immunity to registered trade unions from civil suits

1. No suit or other legal proceeding shall be maintainable in any civil  court  against any registered trade union or any officebearer or member thereof in respect of any act done in contemplation or furtherance of a trade dispute to which a member of the trade union is a party on the ground only that such act induces some other person to break a contract of employment, or that it is in interference with the trade business or employment ofsome other person  or  with the right ofsome other person to dispose of his capital or his labour as he wills.
2. A registered trade union shall not be liable in any suit or  other  legal  proceeding in any civil court in respect of any tortuous act done in contemplation or furtherance of a trade dispute by an  agent  of the trade union  if it is proved that such person acted without the knowledge of, or contrary to express instructions given by the executive of the trade unions.

The above section does not afford immunity to the members or office bearers   of a trade ‘union for an act of deliberate trespass.? The immunity  also  cannot  be availed of by them for unlawful or tortuous act. IO Further such immunity is denied if they indulge in an illegal strike or gherao. Moreover the immunities enjoyed by the union do not impose any public duty on the part of the union.

In  Rohtas Industries  Staff Union v. State of Bihar, certain workmen went on   an illegal and unjustified strike at the instance of the union. A question arose whether the employers have any right of civil action for damages against the strikers. The arbitrator held that the workers who participated in an illegal and unjustified strike,  were jointly and severely liable to pay damages. On a writ petition the Patna High  Court quashed the award of the arbitrator and held that employers had no right of civil action for damages against the employees participating in an illegal strike within the meaning of section 24 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. From this decision it is evident that section 18 grants civil immunity in case of strike by the members of the trade union. On appeal, the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the high court on the ground that the claim for compensation and the award thereof in arbitration proceedings were invalid and such compensation for loss of business  was  not  a  dispute or difference between the employers and the workmen which was connected with the employment or non-employment or terms of employment or with  the  condition of labour of any person. The Supreme Court found itself not  obliged to  decide the question as to whether the Patna High Court was right in relying on section  I8 of the Act to rebuff the claim for compensation because the learned judges In Jay Engineering Works v, Staff the Calcutta High Court was invited to consider the question whether the protection under sections 17 and 18 of the Trade Unions Act can be availed of where workers resort to gherao.

The net result of the decision set out above is that Sections 17 and 18 of the Indian Trade Unions Act grant certain exemptions to members of a trade union but there  is  no exemption against either an agreement to commit an offence or intimidation, molestation or violence, where they amount to an offence. Members of a trade union may resort to a peaceful strike, that is to say, cessation of work with the common object of enforcing their claims. Such strikes must be peaceful and not violent and there is no exemption where an offence is committed. Therefore, a concerted movement by workmen by gathering together either outside the industrial establishment or  inside within the working  hours is permissible when it is peaceful and not violate the provisions of law. But when such  a gathering is unlawful or commits an offence then the exemption is lost. Thus, where   it resorts to unlawful confinement of person’s criminal trespass or where it becomes violent and indulges in criminal force or criminal assault or mischief to person or property or molestation or intimidation, the exemption can no longer be claimed.

The Calcutta High Court once again in Reserve Bank of India v. Ashis  held  that in oder to secure immunity from civil liability under section 18 inducement or procurement in breach of employment in furtherance of trade dispute must  be  by lawful means and not by means which would be illegal or wrong under any other provisions of the law. The Madras High Court in Sri Ram Vilas Service Ltd. v.  Simpson Group Company Union held that it was not within the purview of the high court to prevent or interfere with the legitimate rights of the labour to pursue their agitation by means of a strike so long as it did not indulge in acts  unlawful  and tortious.

In Indian Newspapers (Bom) Pvt. Ltd. v. T.M. Nagarajan  the  Delhi  High  Court held that when there are allegations of violence made by the management in the plaint supported by documents then prima facie a suit would be maintainable and the protection of section 18 of the Trade Unions  Act, 1926 would not be available. The  fact whether any act of violence was committed or not would be decided in the suit.

In Ahmedabad Textile Research Association v. ATIRA Employees Union a Division Bench of the Gujarat High Court held that it is not within the purview of the civil court to prevent or interfere with the legitimate rights of the workmen to pursue their demands by means of strike or agitation or other lawful activities so long as they do not indulge in acts unlawful, tortious and violent. The court further held that anyagitation by the workmen must be peaceful and not violent. Any concerned movement by workmen to achieve their objectives is certainly permissible even inside the industrial establishment.

3.      Enforceability of Agreements:

Section 19 grants protection to the agreements (between the members of a registered trade union) whose objects are in restraint of  trade notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force declaring such agreements to be void or voidable.

Problems of trade Union:

Following are some of the problems that are faced by trade unions in India,

namely

1. Multiplicity of unions: Unlike the developed countries of the world (likeU.K. and U.S.A) the number of unions is relatively  large in  India. A number   of unions exist in one industrial  unit. The rival  unions sometimes do more  harm to the workers than good.
2. Absence of union structure: The structure of the trade union may be a craft union, industrial union or the general union. A craft union is a  union  of  workers representing particular skills such as electricians. When  all  the  workers of an industry become members of the union, it is known as industrial union. A general union on the other hand covers various types of workers working in the different industries. In India, there is an absence of craft union. National commission on labour has recommended the formation of industrial unions and industrial federations.
3. Limited membership: The membership of the trade unions in India is  very less. A trade union cannot become strong unless it can enroll large number of workers as its members.
4. Scarcity of finances: The main problem faced by trade unions in India is the paucity of financial resources. Fragmentation necessarily keeps the finances of the union very low. The membership fees paid by the members are very nominal. For this reason it is not possible for the union to take up welfare activities for its members.Small size: On account of the limited membership, the size of the unions in India is very small. About 70 to 80% of the unions have less than  500  members.
5. Lack of  unity: The major weakness of the trade union movement in India is  the lack of unity among the various unions existing in India at present. The labour leaders have their own political affiliations. They use labour force for achieving their political gains rather than concentrating on the welfare of the workers.
6. Lack of trained workers: The workers in India are uneducated and untrained. The politicians, who are least concerned with the welfare of the workers, become their leaders. Backwardness of the workers and their fear of victimisation keep them away from union activities.
7. Political dominance: It is very unfortunate for the workers that  all  trade  unions in India are being controlled by political parties. In order to  achieve  their political ends, they exaggerate workers’ demands and try to disturb the industrial peace of the country.
8. Hostile attitude of employers:The employers have their own unions  to  oppose the working class. According to M. M. Joshi “They first try to scoff at  it, then try to put it down; lastly if the movement persists to exist, they  recognise it”. In order to intimidate the workers, employers use many  foul means which go to the extent of harassing the leaders by black-listing them or threatening them through hired goondas.

Certain other reasons which also make the union movement weak are

1. recruitment of workers through the middlemen who do not allow these persons to become members of the union
2. workers in India come from different castes and linguistic groups it affects their unity
3. unions least care for the welfare activities of their members.

The weak position of the Trade Unions in the country stands in the way of the healthy growth of the device of collective bargaining for the achievement of workers’ aims. It is one of the principal reasons that adjudication rather than negotiation has to   be applied for the settlement of industrial disputes.

It is incumbent on the part of all concerned with the welfare of the workers to make the trade unions strong and effective for the purposes for  which  they  are  formed. A strong union is good for the workers, the management, as well as for the community.

Amalgamation of Trade Unions:

Sec 24 provides that, any two or more registered Trade Unions may become amalgamated together as one Trade Union with or without dissolution or division of   the funds of such Trade Unions or either or any of them, provided that the votes of at least one-half of the members of each or every such Trade Union entitled to vote are recorded, and that at least sixty per cent. of the votes recorded are in favour of the proposal.

Notice of change of name or amalgamation:

Sec 25 provides that, notice in writing of every change of name and of every amalgamation signed, in the case of a change of name, by the Secretary and by seven members of the Trade Union changing its name, and in the case of an  amalgamation,  by the Secretary and by seven members of each and every Trade Union  which is a  party thereto, shall be sent to the Registrar and where the head office of the amalgamated Trade Union is situated  in  a different State, to the Registrar of such  State.

Recognition of Trade Union:

There is no specific provision for the recognition of the trade unions under the Trade Unions Act, 1926. Hence, recognition is a matter of discretion in the hands of   the employer. Provisions for the recognition of trade unions were  included  in  the Trade Union (Amendment) Act, 1947, but the act has not been implemented.  The  Trade Union Bill, 1950 also provided for recognition of trade union (based on the largest membership among the existing trade unions), but the bill lapsed due to dissolution of parliament.

Recognition of Central Trade Unions

The Central Government gives recognition to Trade Union as Central Trade Union for the purpose of representing in the International Labour Organizations and International Conferences, if such trade union fulfils the following conditions:

1. The Union has a minimum of five lakhs membership as on March, 1997.
2. The Union must have members from at least four states,
3. The Union must have a membership at least in four industries.

The Central Chief Labour Commissioner is authorized to verify the fulfillment of above conditions.

This is all about trade union in India

Hope it helped!