Trade unions in India were formed to protect and promote the interests of workers. Their primary functions are representation in negotiations with employers over issues like wages, benefits, and working conditions. Trade unions are important for maintaining industrial peace through collective bargaining and effective communication between workers and management. They also play a role in economic development through recruitment, discipline in the workforce, and rational dispute resolution. However, trade union growth in India faces challenges from issues like workforce segmentation, employment instability efforts to cut labor costs, and the emergence of non-union firms.

1. TRADE UNIONS
MOVEMENT IN INDIA
Sourabh Modgil

2. Trade Unions
 Formed to protect and promote the interests of their members
 Primary function is to protect the interests of workers against
discrimination and unfair labor practices
Objectives:
 Representation (Workers’ Interests)
 Negotiation (Collective Bargaining)
 Voice in decisions (Lay off, Retrenchment) affecting workers
 Member Service (Education, Training, Welfare, Discounts,
Loans)
Functions:
i) Militant functions,
(ii) Fraternal functions

3. Importance of Trade Unions
 For industrial peace
 Decisions taken through the process of collective
bargaining and negotiations between employer and
unions are more influential
 Effective communication between the workers and
the management
 Economic development
 Recruitment & selection
 Discipline among workforce
 Settlement of ID in rational manner

4. Purpose of Trade Unions
 Employment Protection and Job Creation.
 Economic Protection.
 Social Status - Identity.
 Political Role - Democratic Institution
 Societal Obligation - Transformation.
 Competitiveness / Sustainable Development.

5. Why do people join Union?
 Greater Bargaining Power
 Minimize Discrimination
 Sense of Security
 Sense of Participation
 Sense of Belongingness
 Platform for self expression
 Betterment of relationships

6. Multiple Unions: Causes
 Membership related Issues
 Discontent
 Leadership Related Issues
 Avenues, intra union fights, leadership issues
 Political Issues
 Regional, Organizational Limitations
 Legal

7. Multiple Union: Solution
 Suggested: One Industry - One Union
 You may have any number of registered unions
 Recognition is the key

8. SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS OF
UNIONS
 Wage & salary bargaining
 Fight for continuous improvement in employee
benefits
 Improving working conditions at work place
 Improving welfare, healthcare & recreation facilities,
and leisure at workplace
 Increasing rest periods, holidays, paid leave and
time-offs

9. SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS OF
UNIONS
 Decreasing working hours, work load esp. manual,
and hazardous working conditions
 Improving career and salary rise prospects & job
security
 Protecting employees against arbitrary / unjust
actions of Management

10. Major Trade Union Organizations
 AITUC (All India Trade Union Congress)
 Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)
 Hind Mazdoor Sabha
 All India Council of Central Trade Unions
 All India United Trade Union Centre
 United Trade Union Centre
 All India federations of banks, insurance, railways, defence,
telecom, airline and airports.
 Centre of Indian Trade Unions -president M.K. Pandhe

11. Present Central Trade Union Organizations
 All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
 Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)
 Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)
 Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat (HMKP)
 Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)
 Indian Federation of Free Trade Unions (IFFTU)
 Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
 National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU)
 National Labor Organization (NLO)
 Trade Unions Co-ordination Centre (TUCC)
 United Trade Union Congress (UTUC)
 United Trade Union Congress - Lenin Sarani (UTUC - LS)

12. Problems for Trade Union Growth
 Off-Centering Labour
 Segmentation of Workforce
 Core / Periphery
 Employment Instability
 Investment Attraction
 Individualisation of Labour Relations
 Labour Cost Cutting
 Leadership Credibility/ Inside vs. Outside leadership
 Failure of Institutions
 Emergence of Non-union firms/ E-union/ Cyber-union