Trade Union can be defined as an organization run by and for workers who have banded together to achieve common goals in key areas and working conditions. The origins of unions' existence can be traced from the eighteenth century, where the rapid expansion of industrial society drew women, children, rural workers, and immigrants to the work force in larger numbers and in new roles. This pool of unskilled and semi-skilled labor spontaneously organized in fits and starts throughout its beginnings, and would later be an important arena for the development of trade unions.
In America, trade unionism came in role by the middle of 1860, and in Europe at the beginning of 1870s. The trade unionism in India developed quite slowly as compared to the western nations. The trade unionism in India begins in the last steps of 19th century. During this period, the working and living conditions of the labor were poor and their working hours were long. Capitalists were only interested in their productivity and profitability. In addition, the wages were also low and general economic conditions were poor in industries. In order to regulate the working hours and other service conditions of the Indian textile laborers, the Indian Factories Act was enacted in 1881. After this act, trade unionism slowly acquired pace. Mumbai, Bengal, Punjab and Kerala were the fertilized soil for trade unionism and political movement of working class.
At that time, even after 1950s, majority workers didn’t had a platform to get a fair wage, or a decent working environment. Due to the vast campaign and the influence of education, workers came to know that ‘together they can achieve’. There had sincere and people loving union leaders and oraganisers from political movements. The succeeded in building up worker union and making a political literate workforce. Many strikes took place; most of them were very sensitive, crucial and severe. Many workers sacrificed their lives; many of them suffered brutal torture from the management and sometimes from the government, by the police. A very good percentage of the leaders also suffered. A bloody game for the existence and survive. Mid of 1960s, it got full pace, most of the work places came under the control by the trade union. Even before that, Government servants and public sector workers had already secured themselves under trade union. Most of the private management was forced to accept trade unions and become ready to share a percentage of their profit for workers benefit. The workers got the benefit, better life, good working environment, more security and consideration achieved after so many sacrifices and bloodshed. What was the motive? Ensure better work environment, opportunity, fair wages for the work and a warm relation with the employment as well as the employer. Yes, we achieved that.
After 50 years, where do we stand? Trade union acquired a new face of mafia. Nowadays, trade union is playing a harsh, brutal role in the society, against public. Consider few of the recent issues. Petroleum officer’s strike hit the society for a week, Loco pilots’ flash strike which thrown out of gear for six hours, were challenging the public. But why public always becomes the victim? All the trade union and association are supported by any of the political parties. These unions are their major vote bank. So they need to involve and support irrespective of thinking public.
At present, trade union is not to protect the worker for his right to work, but to protect the worker even in his guilty. If a worker is suspended or dismissed, a call for strike is guaranteed. As I belong to Kerala, I am one among who suffer by the new phase of trade unionism. Each and every inch of Kerala is under the claws of trade unions. In Kerala, each political party is surviving, because of trade union. Unlimited blind support is being offered to union by their affiliated political parties. Cochin Port Trust is being suffered by the union at least once in a month and causes great loss not only to the port, but also the merchants who chose Cochin port as their channel. The workers are not bothers about the port, or the shipments. They are so selfish and declare strike for any reason. Few people will call for strike and others are forced to participate. Revenue loss due to strike is always with Cochin port and politicians are not interested to ensure a friendly environment.
In government offices, it is very difficult to find a person before 10:30 at his seat and after 4:00. While government decided to start punch card in the secretariat, the union opposed and called a strike. The reason they told was insufficient transport to reach in the office in time. Nice reason. The guys who works on private establishment reaches in the office by 9.00 and works until 6.00 using the same transport system.
The worst form of the trade unionism in Kerala is head load and general workers. The do not have any discipline or frame work. Their only aim is not to allow other from doing work and grabbing huge amount of money from the public. Most of the time they will behave like goondas and if you are dealing with them, and if you are arguing with them, any time you can be hit down. Let me quote an incident which happened with my friend. He brought one coat and a dining table from a furniture shop. The furniture was dismantled. My friend with his relative started unloading the pieces from the pick-up and the union guys reached there. There was only one piece, top of the table left in the pick-up. The union guys started arguing and they told that it is their right to do any kind of loading and unloading in the area. The argument slowly changed to abuse and threat. Suddenly my friend gave up and asked them how much will they charge? The answer was cool. They are 12 people and each need 200 rupees. Total 2400 rupees. As heard, my friend reached almost near to a paralysis. Total cost of the furniture was 8000 rupees. After negotiation they agreed to pay 1500 rupees to unload the remaining table top.
Industry in Kerala, suffered a lot by the negative implementation of trade union.
No industrialist is really dared to start a business in Kerala, because of the history. More than hundred of large scale industries locked out due to the strike. Most of the strike starts for hike in the wage or for the bonus. If the company is not in a good position to accept this, workers will call strike. Result : Management will accept the demand or lock-out. If management accepted the demand, company will sink in near future. However the workers and the management is going to suffer. If the company got close, the will lose their job. The union leaders will flew to the next location. There a lot of management who become bankrupt due to the labor problem in their business.
It is the time to realise and react. A change is required. Ensure and literate the workers about their right to work, and their responsibility as a worker. A wash out and vaccination is required to clear the parasite generally known as union leader. It is the time to restructure the labor law. This is the time of growth of opportunities. Working class should think them as a part of the society and should behave in sync with the public. Only workers can change their image of anti social. They should know why and how they acquired the power of the unity.
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