Unit 6
Trade Unions
Introduction:
Under the
Trade Unions Act, 1926
, the expression tradeunion includes both employers and workers in organizations. According tothe Indian Trade Unions Act, 1926, a “
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 betweenemployers and employers or for imposing restrictive conditions onthe conduct of any trade or business and includes any federation of two or more trade unions”.
The term trade union however is commonly used to refer to theorganization of workers formed to protect their rights and enhance theirwelfare.
Definition:
According to V.V. Giri,
“Trade unions are voluntary associations of workers formed together to promote and protect their interests by collective action.”
Trade Union movement in India
Trade union activities in India started with the formation of the BombayMill Hands Association (BMHA) in 1890. In subsequent years a number of unions were formed at places like Calcutta and Madras. All these unionsaimed at promoting welfare activities for workers, spreading literacy amongthem etc. The leadership to these unions was provided mostly by socialreformers and politicians.During the First World War and immediately afterwards, certain eventslike the Russian Revolution, setting up of the International LabourOrganisation, Swaraj Movement etc. facilitated the trade union movement,which led to the formation of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC). Theformation of AITUC prompted the formation of a number of trade unionsindustry-wise and region-wise. In 1926, Trade Unions Act was passed toprovide legal status to union activities and registration of unions under theact. During the late 1920’s, ideological differences among top union leaders
started and many leaders left AITUC and formed the National Trade UnionFederation (NTUF).After Independence there was rapid growth in trade unions dueto support from both the government and society at large. The Congressparty formed the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) in 1947. ThePraja Socialist Party formed Hind Mazdoor Sabha in 1948. Meanwhile,Communist Party of India took over the control of AITUC. With theproliferation of the political parties, the trade unions also proliferated.Presently the more active central trade unions are:
National Trade Union Federation (NTUF)
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) (Congress)
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) (Communist Party of India, CPI)
Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) (CPI-M)
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) (BJP)
Factors which contributed to the growth of TradeUnions in India
According to Giri, the following factors helped the growth of Trade Unions inIndia: -
1.
World War I:
Though the labour movement began in India about acentury ago, it was only from the end of the First World War (1914-1918) that it gathered momentum. Giri pointed out that both economicand political conditions alike had contributed to the new awakening.Prices had shot up during the War and there had been nocorresponding increase in the wages though the employers hadamassed huge profits. These conditions led to the formation of a largenumber of Trade Unions throughout the country.
2.
Influence of political leaders:
The early stage of the developmentof trade union movement in India owes a lot to the contributions of some political leaders, social reformers and philanthropists. The massmovement started by Lokmanya Tilak, Annie Besant and later byMahatma Gandhi, caused ripples in the trade union movement.
Gandhiji was also greatly responsible for giving a re-orientation to thelabour movement by establishing the Ahmedabad Textile LabourAssociation.
3.
The ILO:
The establishment of International Labour Organisation of which India was a founder member prompted the formation of tradeunions in India. In choosing its nominees to the International LabourConference held annually, the government had to consult theassociation of workers and employees to represent their interests. Thisled to the establishment of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)as the central body of workers, representing the various trade unionsaffiliated to it.
4.
The Russian Revolution:
The success of the Russian Revolution gavean impetus to the labour movement because of the feeling itgenerated that the solidarity of the working class could achieve greatthings.
5.
The Trade Unions Act:
The Indian Trade Unions Act, passed in 1926,is a landmark in the history of trade movement in India because thisAct gave trade unions a legal status and immunity to its officers andmembers against civil and criminal liability for concerned actions.
Characteristics of Trade Unions:
1.
Association:
A trade union is an association or combination of employees.
2.
Voluntary:
Membership of a trade union is voluntary. Generally thereis no legal or other pressure to join a trade union. An employee has achoice whether he wants to join or not to join a trade union.
3.
Temporary / Permanent:
A trade union is a continuing, permanentor a temporary, casual association. It has to be a long-term body asotherwise it cannot achieve its objectives.
4.
Collective action:
Trade unions always act through united action of members to promote and protect their economic and other interests.
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