Mitali Palnitkar
Published On: January 10, 2022 at 18:35 IST
Industrial Court of Mumbai derecognized the Maharashtra State Transport Kamgar Sanghatana (MSTKS). The MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) had recognized MSTKS for negotiating wage agreements on the behalf of employees.
In 2012, Maharashtra State Transport Workers’ Congress (INTUC) had filed an Application due to the violation of Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions & Prevention of Unfair Labour Laws Practices (MRTU & PULP) Act, 1971.
INTUC Lawyer, Seema Chopda stated, “Among several burning issues raised by INTUC, the Court majorly upheld the argument that the recognized union is not being conducted Bona fide in the interest of employer-MSRTC.”
She also stated, “The application was filed by State INTUC General Secretary Mukesh Tigote under the provisions of Section 13 of the Act for cancellation of the recognition granted to the ST Kamgar Sanghatana for the employees of MSRTC. The Sanghatana was granted Recognition Certificate on March 7, 1995 in view of the Order passed by the Court.”
Petitioner Nigote claimed that the union was functioning in the interest of the employer and not the employees and it was recognized under misrepresentation. He argued that MSRTC was a government-owned corporation and it was responsible to provide fair wages, living accommodation to the employees but alleged that the wages of MSRTC employees increased only by 17% while it was 40% for other states during 1996-2012.
The Petitioner stated that the Sanghatana was not fighting for the betterment of employees. He submitted few documents to prove his point that the allowances had been reduced for the settlement period of 2000-04 to 2004-08.
Employees affiliated to INTUC claimed that the plight of the employees was poor even after entering into several settlements since 1996. They stated that the documents proved that the Sanghatana was pro-employer.
Few sources stated that the decision of the Industrial Court might be challenged by the union in the High Court.
