This document provides an overview of the trade union movement in India. It defines a trade union as a voluntary association created by workers to protect their collective interests. It outlines the growth of trade unions in India from the pre-World War I period through independence in 1947. Some of the largest central trade unions in India are mentioned. The objectives, functions, weaknesses and legal status of registered trade unions are summarized. The Trade Union Act of 1926 is introduced as the key regulation governing trade union registration in India.

1. TRADE UNION MOVEMENT IN INDIATRADE UNION MOVEMENT IN INDIA

2. DEFINITIONDEFINITION
A Trade union is an association or organisation which can be created
voluntarily on the basis of collective strength with the purpose to secure
the interests of the workers.
As per “Welb”: Trade Union is a “Continuous association of wage
earners for the purpose of maintaining and improving the conditions of
their working lives”.
As per “Lester” : “A trade union is an association of employees designed
primarily to maintain or improve the conditions of employment of its
members.”

3. TRADE UNIONS IN INDIATRADE UNIONS IN INDIA

4. GROWTH OF TRADE UNIONS IN INDIAGROWTH OF TRADE UNIONS IN INDIA

5. STAGES OF TRADE UNION MOVEMENT IN INDIASTAGES OF TRADE UNION MOVEMENT IN INDIA
• Before First World War – 1875 to 1917
• Between the Two World Wars – 1917 to 1939
• During and after Second World War – 1939 to 1947
• Since Independence (1947) to till date

6. Contd..
SOME IMPORTANT YEARS IN TRADE UNION MOVEMENTSOME IMPORTANT YEARS IN TRADE UNION MOVEMENT

7. Contd..
MAJOR CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS OF INDIAMAJOR CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS OF INDIA
• AITUC – ALL INDIA TRADE UNION CONGRESS
• INTUC – INDIAN NATIONAL TRADE UNION
CONGRESS
• CITU – CENTRE OF INDIAN TRADE UNIONS
• BMS – BHARATIYA MAZDOOR SANGH
• HMS – HIND MAZDOOR SANGH

8. OBJECTIVES OF TRADE UNIONSOBJECTIVES OF TRADE UNIONS
• Better Wages
• Better Working Conditions
• Self – Confidence
• Labour Welfare
• Industrial Peace
• Collective Bargaining
• Safeguarding the interests of the Trade
• Protection against the Victimization

9. FUNCTIONS OF TRADE UNIONSFUNCTIONS OF TRADE UNIONS
• Intra-mural Activities
• Extra-mural Activities
• Political Activities

10. WEAKNESSES OF THE TRADE UNIONS IN
INDIA
WEAKNESSES OF THE TRADE UNIONS IN
INDIA
• Small Size of Trade Unions
• Limited Membership
• Outside Leadership
• Low Income
• Illiteracy
• Migratory
• Multiple Unions
• Political Influence
• Lack of Unity
• Instability of Trade Unions

11. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF TRADE
UNIONS
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF TRADE
UNIONS
• Advantages to Workers
• Advantages to employers
• Advantages to Society

12. THE TRADE UNION ACT - 1926THE TRADE UNION ACT - 1926
• Trade Union Act is a regulation that offers the scheme of
registration of the Trade Union.
Note: This Act also defines the rules and regulations in
reference to Trade Unions

13. REGISTRATION OF TRADE UNIONREGISTRATION OF TRADE UNION
Normally, Registration of Trade Union is not a mandatory, but it
is suggestable because a registered Trade Union enjoys certain
rights and privileges according to the Act.

14. REQUIREMENTS OF REGISTRATION OF TRADE
UNION
REQUIREMENTS OF REGISTRATION OF TRADE
UNION
• To get registered a trade union, minimum 7 workers of the
establishment required.
• The application for registration should be in the prescribed form, a
copy of the rules of the union signed by at least 7 members and a
statement carrying the following information
 The names, addresses and occupation of the members making the
application.
 The name of the Trade Union and the address of its head office.
 The titles, names, ages, addresses and occupations of its office bearers

15. LEGAL STATUS OF A REGISTERED TRADE
UNION
LEGAL STATUS OF A REGISTERED TRADE
UNION
• It is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal.
• It can acquire, hold, sell or transfer any movable or immovable
property and can be a party to contracts.
• It can sue and be sue in its own name.
• No civil suit or other legal proceedings can be initiated against a
registered trade union in respect of any act done in furtherance of a
trade dispute under certain conditions.

16. DISSOLUTION OF A TRADE UNIONDISSOLUTION OF A TRADE UNION
• For the dissolution of a registered trade union, a written notice of
dissolution signed by any seven members and the secretary of the
union need to be sent to the registrar within 14 days of the
dissolution.
• After receiving the written notice, the registrar satisfies then he shall
register the notice and the union shall stand dissolved from the date.

17. ABHIRAM L KUMAR KANNEPALLI