259

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

263

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

268

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.

272

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.

281

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.