Industrial relations and trade

Unions



BY ASHIMA SAXENA
Industrial Relationship
In the words of Lester:

"Industrial relations involve attempts at arriving at solutions
between the conflicting objectives and values; between the
profit motive and social gain; between discipline and
freedom, between authority and industrial democracy;
between bargaining and co-operation; and between
conflicting interests of the individual, the group and the
community

One of the most comprehensive definitions which
views industrial relations from the perspective of
human relationships is by J. Henry Richardson:

"Industrial relations is an art, the art of living
together for purposes of production. The parties
while working together learn this art by acquiring
the skills of adjustment.

Main Parties in Industrial Relations
In simple words, industrial relations are the outcome of
the 'employment relationships' in industry, i.e. between
employers and labour. The government of a nation or
state influences these relations to a great extent. Thus,
there are three main parties in industrial relations:


Workers and their Organisations i.e. Trade Union :
The personal characteristics of workers, their culture,
educational attainments, qualifications, skills, attitude
towards work, etc. play an important role in industrial
relations.




Employers and their Organisation: The employers are
a very important variable in industrial relations. They
provide employment to workers and try to regulate their
behaviour for getting high productivity from them.

In order to increase their bargaining power, employers in
several industries have organised employers'
associations. These associations put pressure on the trade
unions and the Government.



Government: The Government or State exerts an
important influence on industrial relations through such
measures as providing employment, intervening in
working relationships. and regulating wages, bonus and
working conditions through various laws relating to
labour.

The Government keeps an eye on. Both the trade unions
and employers' organisations to regulate their behaviours
in the interest of the nation.


Features of Industrial Relations

Industrial relations are born out of employment
relationship in an industrial setting.

Without the existence of two parties i.e. labour and
management, this relationship cannot exist. It is the industry,
which provides the environment for industrial relations.
Industrial relations are characterized by both conflict and
co-operation. So the focus of industrial relations is on the
study of the attitudes, relationships, practices and procedures
developed by the contending parties to resolve or at least
minimize conflicts.
As the labour and management do not operate in isolation
but are a part of the large system, so the study of industrial
relations also includes vital environmental issues like
technology of the workplace, country's socio-economic and
political environment, nation's labour policy, attitude of trade
unions, workers and employers.
Industrial relations also involve the study of conditions
conducive to the labour, management co-operation as
well as the practices and procedures required to elicit the
desired co-operation from both the parties.

Industrial relations also study the laws, rules, regulations,
agreements, awards of court, customs and traditions, as
well as policy framework laid down by the government
for eliciting co-operation between labour and
management. Besides this, it makes an in-depth analysis of
the intervening patterns of the executive and judiciary in
the regulation of labour-management relations.

Scope of Industrial Relations



1) Development of Healthy Labour-Management
Relations: The promotion of healthy labour management
relations pre-supposes:

The existence of strong, well-organized, democratic and
responsible trade unions and associations of employers.
This can lead to:

Job security of employees

Increased workers' participation in management

Negotiations, consultations and discussions

Good labour-management relations.

2) Maintenance of Industrial Peace:

Industrial peace pre-supposes the absence of industrial strife.
Industrial peace is essential for increased productivity and
harmonious labour-management relations.

The industrial peace can be largely nurtured through the
following means:

Machinery should be set up for the prevention and
settlement of industrial disputes

The industrial peace can also be attained by the creation
and maintenance of implementation cells and evaluation
committees which have the power to look into implementation
of agreements, settlements and awards and also violations of
statutory provisions laid down under various labour laws.

(iii) Development of Industrial Democracy: The idea of
industrial democracy states that the labour should have the right
to be associated with the management of an industry. To achieve
this objective, the following techniques are usually employed:

Establishment of the Shop Councils and Joint Management
Councils at the floor and plant level. These councils aim at:

Improving the working and living conditions of employee

Improving productivity, encourage suggestions from
employees
Assisting the administration of laws and agreements

Serve as a channel of communication between the
management and employees

Creating among the employees a sense of participation in
the decision-making process and

Sense of belonging to the industry.

Contemporary issues in IR
Low Wages.

Low wages have been a perennial problem and have been a
source of industrial dispute for years despite the existence of
Payment of Wages Act and the Minimum Wages Act.

The acts do not seem to be solving the problem due to their
poor implementation.

In many of the factories, workers are still given wages below
subsistence level, which leads to high degree of dissatisfaction
and subsequent decrease in productivity. In many industries, the
minimum wages have not been revised at par to compensate for
it.


Employment of Women.

In the Indian cultural setup, the employment of women is
a major problem even though things have started
changing in the recent times.

There are special provisions regarding the employment of
women in the Factories Act, which prohibit employment of
women during the night shift and also on heavy
machinery. Under the Equal Remuneration Act, women
are entitled to equality of wages at par with the male
workers.

Some employers don't follow the above provisions in
letter and spirit and continue to exploit the women
workers by virtue of their strong position and because of
mass illiteracy and superstition among the women
workers.

Ignorance and illiteracy.
Various labour laws that have beer made would be
beneficial to the workers if implemented properly.

For this it is important that the workers themselves
understand the underlying principles and provisions of the
law and demand whatever is due to them.

With high rate of ignorance and illiteracy prevailing among
the workers, it car be imagined how many of them know
about the laws. It is here that the exploitation of workers
takes place and legal provisions are ignored totally.

Contemporary issues in IR
Industrial Housing. Another burning issue in the industrial
relations field is that of accommodation to the industrial
employees.

Here the problem is that the firms are not able to provide
accommodation to the employees and further that the house rent
allowance (HRA) that they provide is not sufficient to keep pace
with the ever -rising demands of the landlords

Child Labour. The law requires that no child below the age of 14 is
allowed to work in any factory and the adolescent is not allowed to
work in hazardous conditions.

The Supreme Court has passed a ruling strictly prohibiting the
employment of children in any kind of factory. But still one finds
instances of violation of law.

Measures to Improve IR
Progressive Management out look
Strong & Stable Unions
Mutual Trust.
Mutual Accommodation
Sincere Implementation of Agreements
Workers participation in Management
Sound personnel policies
Government's Role.
Trade Union
Section 2(h) of the Trade Unions Act, 1926 has defined a
trade union as
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.

Then this definition talks about three relationships. They are relationship
between the:
Workmen and workmen
Workmen and employers
Employers and employers.
Features of trade unions

It is an organisation formed by employees or workers.

It is formed on a continuous basis. It is a permanent body
and not a casual or temporary one.

It is formed to protect and promote all kinds of interests
economic, political and social-of its members. The
dominant interest with which a union is concerned is,
however, economic.

It includes federations of trade unions also.

It achieves its objectives through collective action and
group effort

Objectives of Trade Union

To improve the economic lot of employees by securing for
them better wages.

To secure better working conditions for the workers.

To secure bonus for the employees from the profit of the
concern,

To resist schemes of the management which reduce
employment, e.g., rationalisation and automation.

To secure welfare of employees through group schemes
which give benefit to every employee.

To protect the interests of employees by taking active
participation in the management.

To secure social welfare of the employees.

To secure organisational stability, growth, and leadership.

Functions of Trade Unions
Broadly speaking, trade unions perform two types of functions,
viz.,

Militant Functions. One set of activities performed by trade
unions leads to the betterment of the position of their
members in relation to their employment.

The aim of such activities is to ensure adequate wages, secure
better conditions of work and employment, get better
treatment from employers, etc.

When the unions fail to accomplish these aims by the method
of collective bargaining and negotiations, they adopt an
approach and put up a fight with the management in the form
of so-slow, strike, boycott, gherao, etc.

Hence, these functions of the trade unions are known as
militant or fighting functions.

Fraternal Functions.

Another set of activities performed by trade unions aims at
rendering help to its members in times of need, and improving
their efficiency.

Trade unions try to foster a spirit of cooperation and promote
friendly relations and diffuse education and culture among their
members.

They also arrange for legal assistance to its members, if necessary.
Besides, these, they undertake many welfare measures for their
members, e.g., school for the education of children, library,
reading-rooms, in-door and out-door games, and other
recreational facilities.

Some trade unions even undertake publication of some magazine
or journal.

These activities, which may be called fraternal functions, depend
on the availability of funds, which the unions raise by subscription
from members and donations from outsiders, and also on their
competent and enlightened leadership.

Functions of Trade Unions
Another broad classification of the functions of unions may be as follows

Intra-mural activities. These consist of those functions of the unions
that lead to the betterment of employment conditions such as
ensuring adequate wages and salaries, etc. for which the methods adopted
may be collective bargaining, negotiations, strikes, etc.

Extra-mural activities. These activities help the employees to maintain
and improve their efficiency or productivity, e.g., measures intended
to foster a spirit of cooperation, promote friendly relations, and diffuse
education among members and various other types of welfare measures.

Political activities. Modern trade unions also take up political
activities to achieve their objectives. Such activities may be related to the
formation of a political party or those reflecting an attempt to seek
influence on public policy relating to matters connected with the
interests of working class.
Criticism of Trade Unions
Lack of education makes the workers narrow-minded, and
prevents them from taking long-term views.

Thus, anything, which does not result in an immediate
reward, becomes unattractive to them. This attitude is
responsible for many strikes and lock-outs in industrial
concerns.

Trade unions may not welcome rationalisation and improved
methods of production for the fear that some of the workers
will be put out of work. Therefore, they resort to go slow
policy that retards industrial progress.

When labour unions strike because of illogical grounds,
incalculable losses occur to producers, community and the
nation. These are harmful to the workers also. They suffer
because of the loss of wages.


CRITICISM OF TRADE UNION
They create artificial scarcity of labour by
demanding that only union personnel should be
employed.

By undue insistence on the payment of standard
rates of wages, they have only leveled down the
earnings of the efficient workers.

Motivation to Join Unions
Greater Bargaining Power. The individual employee possesses
very little bargaining power as compared to that of his employer. If
he is not satisfied with the wage and other conditions of
employment, he can leave the job.

Make their Voices Heard. The desire for self-expression is a
fundamental human drive for most people. Dont you agree with
that? All of us wish to share our feelings, ideas and opinions with
others. Similarly the workers also want the management to listen
to them.

Minimise Discrimination. The decisions regarding pay, work,
transfer, promotion, etc. are highly subjective in nature. I may rate
you very differently as compared to your marketing teacher!
Similarly the personal relationships existing between the
supervisor and each of his subordinates may influence the
management. Thus, there are chances of favoritisms and
discriminations.


Sense of Security. The employees may join the unions because
of their belief that it is an effective way to secure adequate
protection from various types of hazards and income
insecurity such as accident, injury, illness, unemployment,
etc. The trade union secure retirement benefits of the workers and
compel the management to invest in welfare
services for the benefit of the workers.


Sense of Participation. The employees can participate in
management of matters affecting their interests only if they join
trade unions. They can influence the decisions that are taken as a
result of collective bargaining between the union and the
management.
Sense of Belongingness.Many employees join a union because
their co-workers are the members of the union.

At times, an employee joins a union under group pressure; if he
does not, he often has a very difficult time at work.

On the other hand, those who are members of a union feel that they gain
respect in the eyes of their fellow workers. They can also discuss their
problem with the trade union leaders.

Structure of Trade Unions
Plant level Unions: The first level in the structure from below is the plant level
union. This comprises the unions in one organisation or factory. Please note that
only seven members are required to form a union. This has lead to multiple
unions in one factory. (We will discuss the details of this aspect in the problems
faced by unions in India).

Local Level federations. This is the second level in the structure from below.
The local trade union federation holds together the plant level unions at the
local level in a particular craft and industry. These local level federations might
be affiliated to either some regional level or national level federation or these
may be independent.

Regional level federations. These are the organisations of all the constituent
unions in a particular state or region.

National federations. These are national level bodies to which plant level
unions, local unions or regional level unions may get affiliated. These are the
apex bodies at the top of the structure. They act as coordinating bodies. These
national federations may have their own regional or state level coordinating
bodies to which the plant level unions may get affiliated.


Problems & weaknesses of Trade Unions
Uneven Growth. The trade unionism in India is characterised by uneven growth,
both industry-wise and area-wise. Trade unions are popular in big industries and
the degree of unionisation varies widely from industry to industry. Besides, trade
union activities are concentrated in a few states and in bigger industrial centers
mainly due to concentration of industries in those places.

Limited Membership. The number of trade unions in India has increased
considerably. But this has been followed by the declining membership per union.


Multiplicity of Unions. There exist several trade unions
in the same establishment. The multiplicity of unions is the
result of outside leadership and labour laws.

The law permits and gives sanctity to small unions. Any seven
persons can form a union under the Trade Unions Act, 1926.

This Act confers rights on such a union. It is allowed under the
Act to raise disputes, file suits, go to conciliation and even
bargain with employers.
Therefore, small sections of workers are encouraged to form
separate Unions. There is no restriction on the number of unions
to be registered in one establishment.

Outside Leadership. Trade unions in India are led largely by
people who themselves are not workers. These outsiders are
politicians, intellectuals and professionals having no experience
of work in industry. Outsiders continue
to dominate the trade unions to advance their personal
interests.

Problems & weaknesses of Trade Unions
Financial Problems. The financial position of the trade unions is weak
because their average yearly income is very low and inadequate. The
subscription rates are very low.

Under conditions of multiplicity of unions, a union interested in
increasing its membership figures keeps the subscription rate unduly low.

As a result, the funds with the unions are inadequate and they cannot
undertake welfare programmes for their members.

Another reason for the weak financial position of union is that large
amounts of subscription dues remain unpaid by the workers. Besides this,
unions do not have proper staff and organisation to collect subscriptions.

Indifferent Attitude of Workers. In India, a large number of workers
have not joined any union. Moreover, all the members of the trade unions
do not show interest in their affairs. The attendance at the general
meetings of the unions is very low. Under such circumstance, trade
unionism cannot be expected to make much progress.

Suggestions for the development Unions
One Union in One Industry: Multiplicity of unions in the same
plant leads to inter-union rivalry that ultimately cuts at the root of the
trade union movement. It weakens the power for collective bargaining
and reduces the effectiveness of workers in securing their legitimate
rights. Therefore, there should be only one union in one industry.

Paid Union Officials: Generally, the trade unions avail the services
of the honorary workers due to lack of funds. The practice should be
stopped because honorary office bearers cannot do full justice to the
task entrusted to them because of lack of time at their disposal.

Suppose that you are asked to do something in the office, which
requires a lot of responsibility. You are not offered any thing in return.
Of course the motivational levels will come down unless and until you
are a very passionate or a committed person.


The same applies to the officials of the unions.
Therefore, paid union officials should be employed
who are persons of proven integrity and who are able
to evaluate the demands of workers so that they may
negotiate with employers on equal footing.

Development of Leadership from Within: It is of
crucial importance that trade unions are managed by the
workers, and not by outsiders. Leadership should be
developed from within the rank and file of the workers.

Recognition of Trade Unions. Till recently, the
employers refused recognition to the trade unions either
on the basis that unions consisted of only a minority of
employees or two or more unions existed.


THANK YOU





MADE BY ASHIMA SAXENA