Evolution Of Trade Unionism

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Section 2(h) of the Indian Trade Unions Act, 1926 defines ‘Trade Union’ to mean 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 imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business, and includes any federation of two or more trade unions:
Provided that this Act shall not affect –
i. Any agreement between the partners as to their own business. ii. Any agreement between an employer and those employed by him as to such employment or Any agreement in consideration of the good will of a business or of instruction in any profession, trade or handicraft.
In Registrar, …show more content…

The Trade Unions Act, 1926 therefore applies to employers’ federation as it does to union of workers.
2.2 Evolution of trade unionism
The labour movement in India is over 15 decades old and it may be traced from 1860s. Early years of the movement were generally led by philanthropists and social reformers who organized workers and protected them against inhuman working conditions. The development of the movement was over a span of 51 years that can be analyzed in 6 phases- Pre 1918, 1918-1924, 1925-1934, 1935-1938, 1939-1946, 1947 and since. The growth of trade unionism in India was neither an accident, nor unexpected. The history of trade unionism is linked with the growing capitalistic system.
The Trade Union Movement began in India during the closing years of the First World War. The exploitation of labor caused by the exigencies of the war created unrest among the working class people and led them to form unions which, would voice their grievances, fight for their rights and ensure to them better working …show more content…

2.3 Rivalries
With the onset of the Trade Union Movement in full swing, the number of trade unions in the country has increased considerable. This, along with various other factors has led to the creation of rivalries with respect to trade unions.
The term ‘inter-union’ means between two unions, whereas, the term ‘intra-union’ means within one union. Trade rivalries can be both inter-union as well as intra-union. Inter-union rivalries refer to a rivalry between two unions and intra-union rivalry refers to a rivalry within one union itself.
In 1920, A.I.T.U.C. was formed by the fusion of 107 trade unions. This became the most powerful labour federation and occupied a dominant position in the nationalist movement also. The A.I.T.U.C. organized provincial committees. However, a split arose within A.I.T.U.C. The controlling group wanted to confine its activities to the advancement of material interests of the workers, whereas, the opposition group wanted the union to join with the Indian National Congress in its struggle for independence. This can be considered as the first instance of an intra-union

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