Anatomy of trade union: Collective bargaining realising strength

Over a century after India's first trade union Madras Labour Union was formed in Chennai by B P Wadia in 1918, the recent month-long strike by nearly 1,400 workers at a Samsung Electronics manufacturing unit near Chennai has put the spotlight back on labour unions in India.

- SHIVA RAJORA

Here is a look at various facets related to the formation and membership of trade unions.

What is the role of a trade union?

One of the fundamental principles behind forming a trade union is the realisation of the 'collective bargaining' principle by the workers against their employers.

The Madras High Court in the Rangaswami versus Registrar of Trade Unions, 1962, case said that the objective of the Trade Unions Act, 1926 is "the organisation of labour to enable collective bargaining".

Collective bargaining is statutorily recognised under the Industrial Disputes Act 1947.

The Supreme Court in Ram Prasad Vishwakarma versus The Chairman, Industrial Tribunal, 1960 also noted how labour was at a "great disadvantage" before the "days of collective bargaining".

Tapan Sen, general secretary, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) says that it is to realise the collective strength that workers form a trade union.

Who can form a trade union?