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CHAPTER – 8
CONCLUSIONS
8.1 Summary
The topic “Relations between trade unions and politics in the light
of the Economic reforms”, is somewhat of a controversial nature. The
study gains much importance as trade unions in India were created,
nourished and led by political leaders of the freedom movement. From the
date of establishment of trade unions, they have been controlled and
dominated by political leaders. There is a criticism that trade unions are
involved in political aspects rather than economical aspects. The Trade
Unions Act, 1926 is meant primarily for regulating relations between the
employer and the workmen through which industrial peace can be
improved and the prosperity of workmen achieved.
If we examine the Trade Unions Act, 1926, the underlying object is
providing criminal immunities and civil immunities to the members as well
as leaders of the trade unions. The Act attempts to legalise strikes for
advancing their legitimate rights, even though the employer may be put to
hardship. By legalising strikes, the Act aims to provide the basis for
collective bargaining so that the employer and the workmen could come to
the negotiating table. Previously in Britain also criminal, civil immunities
were not granted until the Trade Disputes Act 1906 came into existence.
Strikes were discouraged and as a result huge damages have been claimed
against the trade unions. After the Trade Disputes Act in Britain and in
India with the introduction of Trade Unions Act 1926, strikes were legally
permitted. The Industrial Disputes Act permits strikes while imposing
certain restrictions, particularly in public utility services. Thus strike has
become a weapon in the hands of workers. The intention of the legislature
is to strengthen the hands of the workers on par with the employer so as to
260
provide an environment for collective bargaining with balance of power.
Now the situation has totally changed. Implications of economic reforms
are not encouraging to the industrial actions of protest, such as agitations,
dharnas, strikes etc. Every country has to adopt economic reforms to face
global competition and achieve economic development.
The trade unions in developed countries and developing countries
are confronted with new situations and new problems such as decline in the
membership of trade unions, unemployment, insecurity etc. In India as
most of the trade unions are affiliated to political federations, they have
been playing not only a role in industrial relations but also a role in
politics. The political role can be performed, however, only if the primary
role of defending and advancing workers interests in relation to their
employment is performed adequately and satisfactorily.
As pointed out by Mr.N.M.Joshi, the father of the Indian Trade
Union movement, after the formation of AITUC, the All India Congress,
and its sub-ordinate bodies would have nothing to do with politics. But the
politics in which they propose to take part is one that will further the
interests of Indian labour. By this expression, the intention of the
champions of the trade unions is that trade unions always work for the
cause of workers rather than the community as a whole.
But unfortunately, often most of the trade unions in India stick to
their political ideology to which they are affiliated to neglecting the very
object of the trade unions. Most of the members of the trade unions do not
know the very object of the trade union. They join the trade unions just for
the sake of prestige and identification with the group. That's why in India
the trade unions are not successful in achieving their objects. Presently the
problem is further intensified when India adopted economic reforms, which
261
implies liberalization, privatization and globalization. Industrialization
reaches from the global and regional to micro enterprises and household
work in the informal economy.
Under the existing law, the expression trade union includes both
employers’ and workers’ organisations. But, when we generally talk about
the trade union, we mean to say particularly workers’ organisation. As we
have discussed, the primary function of a trade union is to protect and
advance the economic interests like better wages, better working conditions
and living conditions and social interests such as educational, recreational,
medical, respect for the individual, benefits to its members etc. But the
rivalry among different organisations divided the strength of the trade
unions. The basis of the collective bargaining depends upon the strength of
the unity of workers.
The history of the trade union movement in India witnessed the
splitting culture due to leaders with different political thoughts. In
APSRTC too the history of trade union repeats the same tradition. The
unions are often led by politicians giving political orientation to the labour
movement. Even in the National Mazdoor Union, though it is not affiliated
to any political party or trade union federation, key posts are being enjoyed
by political leaders.
We have discussed the problem of outsiders and consequences
leading to outside leadership in detail. In the initial stage the outside
leadership was necessitated due to illiteracy, ignorance and social
backwardness of the workers. As pointed out by Report of the Royal
Commission on Labour 1931 we have referred to the great difficulties
confronting the movement, which made the involvement of a proportion of
outsiders inevitable. In some cases victimisation and more frequently the
262
fear of it gives an additional value to the outsider. But it is unfortunate
even after many years of the Indian trade union movement the dominance
and control of the outsider leadership is being continued even in this new
situation where structural changes are taking place. The trade unions not
able to come out from the political clutches even for the sake of their
survival.
The outside leader of the trade union not only has extra-
organisational goals, but also subordinates the union’s goals to those of the
political party to which he belongs. The question of the outsider is indeed
linked with political unionism. The outsider, who is often a political leader,
serves as a linking - pin between the political party and the trade union and
helps the former in subordinating the latter in its political machinations and
manoeuvres. This leads to the political exploitation of trade unions.
We have discussed in the introductory chapter about the nature of
the Indian trade unions and how trade unions were established in Britain as
well as India and why political affiliations were necessitated for Indian
trade unions. The objectives, hypothesis and purposes of the study are also
mentioned in this chapter. The important aspects such as Indian conditions
and trade unions, effects of economic reforms on trade unions are
discussed in a brief manner. The methodology was also narrated in the
introductory chapter.
In the next chapter we discussed evaluation, the theories of trade
unions, problems and the function of the trade unions and concluded that
the Indian trade unions witnessed the splitting culture. We have also
concluded that the relation between trade unions and politics is indivisible
as far as Indian conditions were concerned. The independent unionism
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vis-à-vis political unionism, advantages, dis-advantages of independent
unions and political unions are also elaborately discussed in this chapter.
We have further studied that in developing countries trade unions
develop along with national movements or freedom movements. In
developed countries such as USA they are economical. In Britain the trade
unions themselves established a political party and captured power whereas
in Russia the trade unions are subordinate to government. We further
concluded that economic reforms downsized the trade unions both in
developed and developing countries and the decline of membership has
weakened the trade unions.
We also discussed about freedom of association which the people
acquire by international conventions and the Constitution of India under
Article 19(1) (c) of the constitution. We concluded that the constitutional
right is a limited right and there is no right to recognition of trade unions or
right to or collective bargaining. We have further concluded that the right
to strike is not a fundamental right. But it is a right provided under the
Trade Unions Act and Industrial Disputes Act.
We further examined the importance of collective bargaining, the
growth of collective bargaining, the impediments to collective bargaining,
the legal framework of collective bargaining, the significance of
recognition etc. We have concluded that the law is insufficient for effective
implementation of collective bargaining.
We have also discussed about trade unions and economic reforms,
the implications of structural adjustment programme, the responses of trade
unions, the effects of economic reforms on trade unions and the new role of
trade unions and concluded that the trade unions have to change their
264
attitude and develop modern skills and equip themselves in all spheres such
as improving productivity, acquiring technical knowledge, competitiveness
for their survival and existence.
In the final chapter we made an empirical study and discussed the
relation between trade unions and politics in APSRTC and the impact of
the economic reforms on trade unions and concluded that the trade unions,
which have political affiliations as well as the independent union invited
political leaders as its trade unions leaders. It is also observed that the
government is adopting, strategies to privatize APSRTC by various
methods, such as paying higher MVT, allowing illicit private operations,
hiring more than 25% buses from private owners and giving concessions to
some sections of the society like the handicapped, students etc. Because
privatisation is one of the aspects of economic reforms.
In the concluding chapter the summary of the study was given.
Major findings were recorded with regard to the relation between trade
unions and politics in the light of economic reforms and made several
suggestions in order to protect the trade unions.
The following findings are brought out in the light of the study.
8.2 Findings
1. The nexus between trade unions and politics is visible in almost all
countries. In some countries like Britain trade unions have grown to the
extent of creating political parties, establishing the governments and
succeeded in getting favourable lesgislations. We can witness the trade
union involvement and dominance in British politics.
265
2. In the developing countries it is the political parties to establish trade
unions for securing the support of the masses. At the initial stage in
India political parties gave birth to the trade unions, nourished them,
but later in most of the occasions exploited the trade unions for their
selfish political ends. So here we can see the political parties
involvement and dominance in trade unions in some of the developing
countries.
3. Certain factors such as the legal and administrative super structure
created by the government, illiteracy of the workers, status conscious
among the employers compel the working community to have lawyers
and other outside leaders as their leaders of the trade unions in order to
balance the power relations between the employers and workers.
4. The study further reveals that in every country, whether it is developed
or underdeveloped, with the introduction of economic reforms there is a
remarkable decline in the membership. This is due to new employment
relations and flexible employment such as outsourcing contractual
workers, part time workers, casual workers, home workers etc.
Therefore we may conclude that the flexible employment relations are
the order of the day which have a greater impact on the strength of the
trade unions. In these circumstances the regular employment will be
downsized and in the new employment relations, workers generally do
not enjoy the security of tenure which results in decline in membership
throughout the world.
5. Due to economic recession, concession bargaining came into existence
which means where the industry or firm is facing a crisis due to market
failure or financial sickness, there will be mutual agreement between
workers and employer and the workers in their anxiety to protect their
266
jobs would accept reduction in wages and if the industry picked up
financially, then the workers would get appropriate wages.
6. These aspects such as flexible employment and flexible wage system
will have greater impact not only on the strength of the trade unions but
also on the structure of collective bargaining. We further understand
whenever the strength of the trade union is affected simultaneously the
strength of the collective bargaining is affected. Ultimately workers
have to lose their industrial democracy and employer would dictate
terms in the new industrial relations.
7. Privatization of public sector enterprises has become a practice of the
day both in developed and developing countries and government of
India is making every effort to privatize the public sector enterprises for
strengthening the economy of the country. Multi-national corporations
and foreign direct investment because part of new industrial relations
which do not give much freedom to the organizations.
8. The right of freedom of organization which workers got after severe
struggles has lost its significance because of new industrial relations
such as outsourcing contractual workers, home workers etc.
9. The elements of economic reforms such as liberalization, privatization
and globalization have not only affected the legitimate rights of the
workers but also affected basic constitutional safeguards which are
guaranteed by the Constitution of India because the workers in India,
now have no guarantee to the rights such as the right to living wage,
human dignity etc.
267
10. The first trade union in APSRTC was formed by the Employees Union
in 1951. Hence the founders and Pioneers of trade unions in APSRTC
are political leaders.
11. With regard to the objectives of trade unions a majority of trade union
leaders and members irrespective of whether they belong to political
affiliated unions or independent unions accepted the need to secure
higher wages and better standard of living for workers.
12. Leaders of the Employees Union are of the opinion that there is no need
of independent unions as their union solved many problems in the past.
According to them a political leader will have enough bargaining power
to face the employer at the bargaining table and the APSRTC
Employees Union was the first union to take up the cause of its
workers.
13. The former secretary general of the Employees Union Dr.V.Raja Rama
Mohana Rao opined that in the present new situation one union for one
industry is better, be it a political union or an independent union. Trade
union members of the Employees Union expressed that there would be
no difference whether trade union leaders are insiders or outsiders, if
they are committed to the cause of workers.
14. The Employees Union is not in favour of independent unions. With
regard to economic reforms the union is opposed and says that the
economic reforms are the brainchild of USA and other developed
countries, which are not suitable to Indian conditions.
15. The general secretary of the Staff and Workers’ Federation is of the
opinion that the workers in the APSRTC are not in a position to form an
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independent union on account of their lack of awareness and it would
always be better to have affiliation with political parties.
16. The trade unions in APSRTC resorted to token strikes several times for
general and political issues such as hike in petroleum prices, turnover
tax etc.
17. Many ordinary members of the trade unions in APSRTC do not know
about economic reforms and their severe impact on the trade unions.
18. Irrespective of political or independent trade union, every union in
APSRTC has political leaders as office-bearers including the National
Mazdoor Union (independent union)
19. The members belonging to the Employees Union has affiliation with
AITUC Federation. The Staff and Workers Federation is affiliated to
CITU. The members of the Telugunadu Trade Union Congress
(TNTUC) are firmly attached to their respective parties rather than the
workers organisation in the APSRTC. They have strong political
loyalties towards leaders as well as their respective political parties,
since the above unions were founded by political parties. During the
TDP government some of these trade unions did not play a militant role
but had played a cooperative role, because the Communist party was
allied with the TDP Party and consequentially these unions lost their
strength.
20. Irrespective of political and non-political unions 90% of those
interviewed agreed that the inter-union rivalry is due to political
affiliations, as each political party has its own ideology. For instance,
269
the ideology of the Congress Party is always opposed to the views of
the Communist Party.
21. The members of the National Mazdoor Union in the APSRTC were
very much satisfied with the functioning of their independent union and
they expressed great faith in their leaders.
22. In spite of inter-union rivalry, the members of politically affiliated
unions were satisfied with their affiliations rather than with the
functioning of the trade unions in the APSRTC.
23. There is a strong political consciousness among the members of the
politically affiliated unions. But the members of the National Mazdoor
Union were reluctant to speak about political issues.
24. In spite of inter-union rivalry the method of collective bargaining
exists. The practice of recognition of trade unions as a bargaining agent
facilitates collective bargaining.
25. It was found that the members of the trade unions due to their outside
political leaders instructions often adopt direct action, such as dharnas,
picketing, strikes and hunger strikes in order to gain fame and
supremacy over other unions. It is unfortunate some times that even for
simple problems, they adopt the above industrial actions for canvassing
for their unions.
26. In the APSRTC inter-union rivalry existed in a greater degree. The
members of the Employees Union and the National Mazdoor Union
always accuse each other. If the Employees union participates in a
strike even for a right cause, the National Mazdoor Union will not co-
270
operate. If the National Mazdoor Union organises a dharna, the
Employees Union will not participate in it even though the dharna is
beneficial to workers.
27. The Telugunadu Trade Union Congress and INTUC in the APSRTC
though, belong to a powerful parties like the Telugu Desam and
Congress-I, they have no following since there were no committed
leaders, particularly at the Depot level and the Divisional levels.
28. The demands put forward by union leaders who are often political
leaders, of politically affiliated unions in the APSRTC are not always
known to the ordinary member worker. Sometimes without consulting
workers, the union leaders resort to strikes in order to counter the action
of their enemy unions giving explanations to the members only after the
action is over.
29. In the APSRTC there were very few instances where trade union
leaders were suspended for their union activities. It is obvious, that the
degree of fear of victimisation is lesser when compared to unions in
other industries.
30. In the APSRTC the management is uneasy about the attitude of
outsiders as many of these leaders are not convergent with the problems
of the industry. They tend to become unrealistic in their approach, and
are prone to make exaggerated demands which the industry under
existing conditions is unable to meet. This brings about unnecessary
friction and tensions in industrial relations.
271
31. Most of the depot managers who have been interviewed said that they
had no problem with political affiliations but in some areas like
Vinukonda, Mangalagiri, some problems confronted them.
32. In some backward areas the members and leaders have no idea about
the objectives of the APSRTC as well as the purposes of the trade
unions. They used to make small issues as bigger issues, disturbing the
peace in the industry.
33. The management did not support either independent unions or political
affiliated unions. According to them both are the same.
34. With regard to economic reforms they are of the opinion that if the
workers are more productive, more responsible, more competitive,
more income oriented, more duty minded, more operation oriented,
then the organization can overtake new challenges and withstand global
demands.
35. All unions agreed that the economic reforms gave a blow to the
fundamental right Article 19(c) but the president of NMU said that one
can not hinder the change but that the trade unions should shape
themselves to suit the new environment.
36. All unions accepted that the change in ownership brings organizational
changes such as change in the form of retrenchments and
unemployment which in turn down sizes the union.
37. Every year the government hires buses from private persons. Nearly
25% of the buses are hired. Where except the conductor all other staff
are not treated as employees of the APSRTC which down sizes the
strength of the trade unions.
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38. The government of Andhra Pradesh has already made several attempts
to privatize the APSRTC under the instruction of the World Bank in
order to implement economic reforms because the APSRTC has been
identified as a loss making public enterprise.
39. In the present circumstances bringing unity among the trade unions of
the APSRTC is a difficult task because the trade unions are bound by
the rigid ideology of the political parties. For instance the Staff And
Workers Federation Employees Union believe in a militant and violent
ideology. Whereas the National Mazdoor Union believes in
negotiations and a moderate ideology. The members of INTUC
sometime join with the employees union and sometimes with NMU.
They are ready to sacrifice the economic issues for the sake of their
leaders who are associated with political parties.
The above findings indicate the relation between trade unions and
politics and also their response to the economic reforms. In the light of the
study, the researcher wishes to offer the following suggestions to improve
the situation.
8.3 Suggestions
1) Unions should be free from Casteism, Communalism, Provincialism
and Politicalism, in order to achieve the trade unions objectives. The
new situation calls for competitive, productive and responsible trade
unions.
2) The Government has to take up the workers education scheme in all
aspects and particularly workers must be educated about the objectives
and purposes of the trade unions. Workers shall be informed about the
273
implications of economic reforms such as liberalization, privatization,
globalization, their impact on trade unions and the new role of trade
unions through various means i.e., television, seminars, workshops etc.
In 1958 the Central Board of Workers Education (CBWE) was setup
with a view to impart education to workers so as to increase their
awareness and to enable them to participate effectively in economic and
social development. But it has not been properly implemented. Now the
CBWE must be renewed effectively to educate the workers about the
implications of economic reforms. If the workers are well informed and
knew the implications of the trade union role in the new situation of the
country, they can eventually stand on their feet, and free themselves
from the grips of outsider leadership, as pointed out by NCL (1969) in
para 20.6. The intention of the workers education scheme launched by
the Government of India is to make the trainees as good workers and
create awareness about the objectives and purposes of the trade union.
The beneficiaries of the Workers Education Scheme have shown more
interest in union activities than others who have not had education.
3) The amendment made in 2001 which allow 1/3rd
of trade union leaders
from outsiders under section 22 is almost similar to the Section-22 of
the Trade Union Act that provides not less than one half of the total
members of the office bearers of every registered union, shall be
persons actually engaged or employed in an industry, with which trade
union is connected. The object of this provision is to develop internal
leadership but it indirectly permits outsiders in the union where internal
leaders were given unimportant positions in the union such as Vice-
President, Joint Secretary, etc. This provision may be adequate where
the workers are poorly organised, educationally and economically
backward. But in the public sector or Government Corporations where
workers are educationally, economically and socially better, there must
274
be legal ban in order to prevent the outsiders. In that way, the
development of internal leadership shall be possible. Hence, the
amendment to the Act is necessary. The 2001 Trade Union Amendment
Act which permits 1/3rd
of the outsiders of the total number is not of
much use.
Section-22(1) of Trade Unions and Industrial Relations amendment Bill
(1988) which was withdrawn provides "All except two of the total
members of the office-bearers of every registered trade union shall be
persons engaged or employed in an establishment or in a class of
industry with which the trade union is connected. It means two of the
outside leaders may be permitted in every trade union. The object of
this provision is to develop internal leadership but of the two outsider
leaders, if one becomes President and the other becomes the General
Secretary, the object of this provision will be defeated. This provision
must be inserted and it has to be amended in such a way that between
two of the office bearers permitted, only one should occupy the
important (key) position like General Secretary or the President. The
other permitted outsider should occupy a less important position like
Joint secretary or Vice-President, the remaining key posts must be
occupied by persons actually employed in an industry.
4) Conducting Seminars, training programmes in which the rights of trade
unions and the art of debating should be taught to the workers in order
to enable them to deal with their own problems, with their own efforts,
the problems arising out of economic reforms shall be discussed time
to time, so that remedial measures may be identified.
5) At least one of the key positions like President and General Secretary
of the union must be occupied by the workers as unions are meant for
275
workers not for political parties. As recommended by NCL (1969).
“The law should be amended to provide that either the President or
General Secretary of a union should be from among the rank of
workers”.
6) The workers must be made aware of the exploitation by political
unions. Therefore, they cannot all the time depend upon the
Government or outside agencies to espouse their cause. As
recommended by NCL that outsiders in trade unions should be made
redundant by forces within rather than by legal ban.
7) The management also should take a positive view of the situation and
adopt policies and programmes to encourage and train the trade union
leaders from time to time. The management has to explain and provide
information to the union with regard to international scenario about
economic reforms and the need for productivity, competitiveness etc..
8) The inter-union and intra-union disputes shall be referred to the
Arbitration and Labour Courts. This aspect may be suggested as
recommended by NCL, since there is no machinery to settle inter-
union and intra-union disputes.
9) The outside leaders should be eliminated after 5 years from the date of
forming of a trade union.
10) The present economic policies would require the leadership of the
unions to gain an in-depth knowledge of their organisations without
depending on outside leaders as they may not be able to find time to
acquire such knowledge.
276
11) Trade unions will have to give up negative agitation and
confrontational approach vis-à-vis managements and engage in more
conducive and participatory dialogue with both the government and
the employers1.
12) Workers must be cautious and see that the political strikes shall not be
repeated. The government or NGOs should conduct educational camps
to create awareness among the workers regarding international
situations, and the inevitability of economic reforms.
13) Presently technical training is needed for workers in the area of
computers and machines, so that they can equip themselves with the
latest skills and know–how to act in the modern industrial world.
14) At the plant level or industry level the unions have to avoid political
affiliation. However they must be affiliated to national and inturn to
international federations to achieve security net.
15) Trade unions shall raise funds by raising subscription and also by
collecting donations so that the trade unions can themselves organize
educational and technical training to suit present situations.
16) The formula of one industry and one union is highly desirable even
though it is very difficult in practice. But in this present situation one
union in one industry is warranted in order to avoid inter-union rivalry
and to strengthen the Collective Bargaining process.
17) During 2001, the 24 days strike in APSRTC proved the strength of the
trade unions as they achieved some of their demands. The reason was
1 Sunil Guha, Towards industrial dynamism and Harmony, Oxford IBH, Pub. 1994, p.65.
277
that all the trade unions came under one roof as joint action committee
(JAC). When united as a federation under one name, they could
achieve many things in future and during the strike period the trade
unions won the support of the public and prevented the privatization.
Therefore all the trade unions of the APSRTC as well as trade unions
of other industries in the country should come under one ideology,
mind, spirit and goal in the present threatening situations.
18) Recently because of the “All people strike” in the Telangana regions
the APSRTC incurs huge losses and it is very difficult to cover losses.
Already the government is adopting strategies to privatize APSRTC, at
this movement calling for strike for political or regional purposes is
nothing but cooperating with the government to privatize APSRTC.
Present economic reforms demand that the workers must act diligently
according to the national and international principles.
19) The membership of the unions should be confined to the workers of the
APSRTC. It should not be open to outsiders, since the workers in
APSRTC are educationally, economically, socially, organisationally
better when compared to other trade unions. Outsiders may offer their
valuable suggestions whenever the workers face problems. They should
function only in the advisory capacity in the present new atmosphere
where a structural adjustment programme is being implemented.
20) An inter-union code of conduct particularly with reference to APSRTC
should be evolved by the Corporation in order to maintain peaceful
industrial relations and to prevent violence while dealing with inter-
union differences or disputes.
278
21) In the present reforms situation, workers must not regard their trade
union as strike committees. Instead they have to play a responsible role
according to the situation. They have to know the implications of
economic reforms and identify themselves as partners of the
Production. Economic reforms recommend closure or privatization of
such loss making units. Recently the trade unions of APSRTC in
Telangana region have been misled by regional political leaders. At
this crucial hour when the organisation faces an economical crises they
seem to have forgotten the true functions of the trade unions. These
type of activities shall be put to an end by the trade unions failing
which the existence of the organisation will be at stake.
22) A call for strike should only be approved by a majority of the union
members through a secret Ballot.
23) APSRTC Trade Unions Joint Action Committee (JAC) must establish
training centers to face the present situation by improving new
techniques in all areas of industry.
24) Laws must be amended or replaced in order to provide security net not
only to the trade unions of the APSRTC, but also to the trade unions of
the entire country.
25) One of the primary functions of the trade union is to defend the
workers against exploitation. Trade unions are expected to function
mainly as the opposition. Now the role of the trade unions is co-
operative for the mutual benefit of workers as well as the employer.
26) In general trade unions should make efforts to raise their declining
membership. The union membership in India is less than 5%.
279
Therefore trade unions must broaden their basic membership in the
unorganized sector such as industries, tours and travels, catering fast
foods, call centres and the Information Technology industry,
agricultural labour etc. which constitute 95 per cent of the work force.
27) Trade unions should be smart in communicating facilities. They have
to utilize online systems to facilitate connectivity with all employees,
national trade union federations and international trade union
federations for effective functioning in the present circumstances.
We have already discussed that illiteracy, ignorance, social and
economical backwardness necessitated the outside leader’s involvement in
Indian Trade Unions. As concluded by Mr.Pattabi Raman, “The outsider
political leadership has been a benefactor as well as an exploiter". Outsider
leadership is sometimes useful to unions and sometimes exploits the
unions. Hence, trade unions will be put at stake if they go into the hands of
political outside leaders. Moreover the process of structural adjustment as a
result of globalization has adversely affected the working class throughout
the world. Workers in our country have suffered the most, because
restructuring of the industry has invariably led to unemployment due to
unprofitable industrial units. APSRTC has also been identified as one of
the loss making units.
A strong and independent trade union movement cannot develop as
long as trade unions continue to be an appendage of political parties. Trade
unions cannot become independent of political parties as long as outside
leadership continues. The outside leadership should be dispensed with, as
soon as possible. Particularly in the present economic reforms situation it
may be noted that this cannot be done suddenly by making statutory
280
provision outlawing them. It is a gradual process where in internal
leadership develops to replace the outside leadership.
On the whole, we may conclude that politics and trade unions are
not easily divisible as they are blended into each other since the birth of the
trade unions is associated with the freedom movement. Political leadership
has been benefactor as well as an exploiter. But the degree of exploitation
is greater. Free and strong independent unions can alone withstand the new
situation and this new situation provides the trade union an opportunity to
come out of the political affiliation, failing which, the very existence of the
trade unions will be threatened. Political leadership shall be minimized.
Education of the working force with regard to International structural
changes and its implications such as liberalization, globalization,
privatization and its inevitable adoption will be helpful for the trade unions
to undertake new responsibilities.
The tragedy of APSRTC as we discussed earlier is that the
government itself is making all attempts and employing various strategies
to push the APSRTC into a loss making unit with a view to privatize the
reputed organization. In these circumstances workers have to keep the
political affiliations aside and unite themselves in the form of a joint action
committee (JAC) in order to protect the APSRTC. Simultaneously trade
unions must develop modern skills such as efficiency, productivity and
competitiveness.
The unions of the APSRTC as well as the unions in India have to
minimize their opposition or agitational approach, and adopt a co-operative
approach for gaining profits, and then only the organization will be
protected.
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Indian Labour should accept the inevitable truth that more jobs will
now be on contract basis, rather than being regular salaried jobs. There are
clear signs the government sector has been downsized. In each sector of
employment technology may demand job cuts, for which the labourer will
have to equip himself with varied skills and the readiness to learn new
skills. In short we conclude that the economic reforms are a mixed
blessing. It is expected to open the door of prosperity and a higher standard
of living, but at the cost of job security and labour welfare.