5/8/2015

RightToStrikeALegitimateIllegalitySrinivasmedisetty
LegalServicesIndia

RightToStrikeALegitimateIllegality
Chatwithus(2PM9PMIST)

Srinivasmedisetty
SearchOn:

LawsinIndia
Search

Introduction
Widelyknownforpatronizingdemocratichumanrightsandupholdingtheirsacrosanctposition,theapexcourtseemstobefascinated
towardstheglitterofthecontemporarytimes.Inoneofthebiggestdemocraciesoftheworld,wherethejudiciaryisoneofthoseprime
pillars,onwhichtheedificeofthedemocracyisbased,theapexcourtinitselfcommandsrespect.
Thehistoryoflabourstruggleisnothingbutacontinuousdemandforafairreturntolabourexpressedinvariedformsi.e.(a)Increase
inwages,(b)Resistancetodecreaseinwages,and(c)grantofallowancesandbenefitsetc.Ifalabourerwantstoachievethese
gainsindividually,hefailsbecauseofhisweakerbargainingpower,themanagementwiththebettereconomicbackgroundstandsina
betterpositiontodictateitsterms.
Thearticleemphasizesonimportanceofrighttostrikeindemocraticsociety.Fordoingsoitsanattempttorationallyanalysethe
SupremeCourtjudgmentofT.K.RangarajanV.StateofTamilNadu.Takingthefactsintoconsideration,theactionoftheTamilNadu
governmentterminatingtheservicesofalltheemployeeswhohaveresortedtostrikefortheirdemandswaschallengedbeforethe
HonbleHighcourtofMadras,bywritpetitionsunderArticles226/227oftheconstitution.Onbehalfofthegovernmentemployees,writ
petitionswerefiledchallengingthevalidityoftheTamilNaduEssentialServicesMaintainanceAct(TESMA),2002andalsotheTamil
NaduOrdinance2of2003.Thedivisionbenchofthecourtsetasidetheinterimorder,andpronouncedthatthewritpetitionswerenot
maintainableastheAdministrativeTribunalwasnotapproached.ThedivisionbenchjudgmentwaschallengedbeforetheSupreme
CourtandShahJ.startedthejudgmentwiththeword"leavegranted".
TheveryfirstwordofShahJ.givesthereaderanimpressionthattheSupremeCourthassetaplatformforanotherlandmark
judgmentasachampionofdemocratichumanrights.Ironicallytheapexcourtcameoutwithapronunciation,whichreprimandsthe
workingcommunitybysayingthatthereisnofundamental,statutory,equitable/moralrighttostrike.Thewordstrikewasgivenits
narrowestpossibleinterpretationbytheHonbleSupremeCourt.Whenworkersresorttostrike,theygamblewiththeirownlivesand
alsowiththatoftheirdependents.TheHonblecourtwouldhavemadeanefforttounderstandthesituationofimpassewhichengulfs
theirownwayoflivelihood.Thecourtstatedthatstrike,asaweaponismostlymisusedwhichresultsinchaosandmaladministration,
buttheworkerhimselfistheimmediatevictimofthestrikewithhisonlymeansoflivelihoodatstake.Inadditiontothistherehadbeen
situationswheretheylosesalaries,getimprisonedandsometimesshotdead.
Ifthefundamentalrightofanindividualoragroupofindividualsisviolated,therestofthesocietyhasadutytosupportthefightfora
remedy.Thoughthewordstrikeisnotmentionedanywhereintheconstitution,aslongasthestrikeremainspeaceful,thesocietyis
dutyboundtosupportthelegitimatecause.Iftheslightephemeralinconveniencecausedtothesocietybecauseofastrike,isavalid
reasonfordeclaringstrikeasanillegalitythenitisthehightimefortheadjudicativemechanismtowakeup.
RightToStrike:ConstitutionalRealm
TheAdministrativeTribunalsmayactasspeedymachineryforredressalofthegrievancesoftheemployeesintheservicematters,
butwhen1,70,000employeesaredismissedenmasse,asinT.KRangarajanv.StateofTamilNadu,itisnotatrivialservicematter
butamatterrelatingtorighttolife,thatisafundamentalrightguaranteedunderArticle21oftheconstitution.Itbecomesobligatoryon
theconstitutionalcourts,whichexercisethewritjurisdictiontoembroilthemselvesintothegravesituation.Moreoverthe
administrativetribunalsarequasijudicialbodieswhichsometimesactaccordingtotheexecutivewhimsandfanciesratherthan
judicialprinciples.Article19(c)oftheConstitutionofIndiaprovidesfreedomtoformassociationsandunions.Thetermunionsalso
includetradeunions.
TheconditionsofserviceofthecentralgovernmentemployeesaregovernedbytherulesmadebythepresidentunderArticle309of
theconstitutionorundertheActoftheparliamentenactedunderthesamerule.InUnionofIndiav.TulsiRamPatelitwasstatedthat
theopeningwordsofarticle309"subjecttotheprovisionsoftheconstitution"makeitclearthattheconditionsofservice,whetherlaid
downbythelegislatureorprescribedbytherules,mustconfirmtothemandatoryprovisionsoftheconstitution.
Article43Aoftheconstitutionspeaksabouttheparticipationofworkersinmanagementofindustries.Itsaysthatthestateshalltake
steps,bysuitablelegislationorinanyotherway,tosecuretheparticipationofworkersinthemanagementofundertakings,
establishmentsorotherorganizationsengagedinanyindustry.Iftheworkersrequiresupportingtheirstandinparlancewiththe
managementaneffectiveactionliketherighttostrikeneedstobeattheirreach.InRadheShyamSharmav.PostMasterGeneralit
wasstatedthatArticle43AoftheConstitutionclearlystatesthattheStateshalltakestepsbysuitablelegislationorinanyotherway
tosecuretheparticipationofworkersinthemanagementofundertakings,establishmentsorotherorganisationengagedinany
industry.TheHighpoweredExpertCommitteeonCompaniesandMRTPActsheadedbyRajinderSacharJ.oftheDelhiHighCourt
hasalsomadecertainrecommendationsaboutprovisionstobemadeforworkers'participationinmanagementofcompanies.
AhmadiJ.inB.R.Singhv.UnionofIndiaobserved:"TherighttoformassociationsorunionsisafundamentalrightunderArticle19
(1)(c)oftheConstitution.Section8oftheTradeUnionsActprovidesforregistrationofatradeunionifalltherequirementsofthesaid
enactmentarefulfilled.Therighttoformassociationsandunionsandprovidefortheirregistrationwasrecognizedobviouslyfor
conferringcertainrightsontradeunions.Thenecessitytoformunionsisobviouslyforvoicingthedemandsandgrievancesoflabour.
Tradeunionistsactasmouthpiecesoflabour.Thestrengthofatradeuniondependsonitsmembership.Therefore,tradeunionswith
sufficientmembershipstrengthareabletobargainmoreeffectivelyreducedifitisnotpermittedtodemonstrate."Strikeinagiven
situationisonlyaformofdemonstration.Therearedifferentmodesofdemonstrations,e.g.,goslow,sitin,worktorule,absenteeism,
etc.,andstrikeisonesuchmodeofdemonstrationbyworkersfortheirrights.Therighttodemonstrateand,therefore,therightto
strikeisanimportantweaponinthearmouryoftheworkers.Thisrighthasbeenrecognisedbyalmostalldemocraticcountries.
Thoughnotraisedtothehighpedestalofafundamentalright,itisrecognisedasamodeofredressforresolvingthegrievancesof
workers".
Ithasbecomeaubiquitouspracticetoblametheworkersforthemandayslostduetothestrike,butwhyarenttheemployersblamed
forthelockouts?Theindustrialistsaccordingtotheirprofitmotiveendupthelivesofthedependentworkersinenigma.Therecent
statisticsshowthatthenumbersofmandayslostduetolockoutsaremorethanthatofstrikes.
JudiciaryOnRightToStrike
Aseriesofjudicialdecisionsemphasizedonthelegalityortheillegalityofthestrike,butdidnotimposeabanontherighttostrike.In
ManagementofKairbetaEstate,Kotagiriv.Rajamanickanthefullbenchobservedthat,justasastrikeisaweaponavailabletothe
employeesforenforcingtheirindividualdemands,alockoutisaweaponavailabletotheemployertopersuadebyacoerciveprocess
theemployeestoseehispointofviewandtoaccepthisdemands.Inthestrugglebetweenthecapitalandthelabour,theweaponof
strikeisavailablewiththelabour.
Itwasalsoheldthat,strikeaweapontoforcetheemployertoaccedetoemployeesdemandandtogivethemthelegitimateduesisa
strikewhichisrecognisedundertheIndustrialDisputesActasdefinedinSec2(q).
InBankofIndiav.I.s.Kalewalatheconstitutionalbenchheldthat,whetherthestrikeislegalorjustifiedisquestionoffacttobedecided
withthehelpoftheevidenceonrecord.

http://www.legalservicesindia.com/articles/legill.htm

1/3

5/8/2015

RightToStrikeALegitimateIllegalitySrinivasmedisetty
InCromptonGreavesLtdv.Workmenthedivisionbenchhelditthatastrikeislegalifitdoesnotviolateanyprovisionofthestatute.
Againastrikecannotbesaidtobeunjustifiedunlessthereasonsforitareentirelyperverseandunreasonable.Whetheraparticular
strikewasjustifiedornotisaquestionoffactwhichhastobejustifiedinthelightofthefactsandcircumstancesofeachcase.
InthecaseconcerningManagementofChandramalaiEstate,Ernakulamv.Itsworkmenadivisionbenchjudgment,therewasa
disputebetweenthemanagementandtheworkersandthelabourministerdecidedtoarbitratethematter.Inthiscaseitwasheldthat
thestrikeinprotestoftherecalcitrantattitudeofthemanagementinboycottingtheconference,heldon23rdNovember,1961bythe
labourministerofthestatewasnotunjustified.Itwasalsoheldinthiscasethatstrikeislegitimateandsometimesanunavoidable
weaponinthehandsoftheworkers.Theremaybecaseswherethedemandisofsuchanurgentandseriousnaturethatitwouldnot
bereasonabletoexpectlabourtowaittillafterthegovernmenttakesnotice.Insuchcases,strikeevenbeforesucharequesthas
beenmademaywellbejustified.
RightToStrike:InternationalPerspectivesAndCollectiveBargaining.
Therightsoftheworkerstonegotiateandcollectivebargainarewonafterastruggleforthreecenturiesrightfromthebeginningofthe
industrialrevolutionin1765.ILO(InternationalLabourOrganization)guaranteestheserightsandmanyotherlabourrightswiththe
helpofinternationalconventions.IndiaisafoundingmemberoftheILOanditisnaturallyexpectedthatitdoesntviolatethe
internationallabourstandards.Thetwomostimportantconventionsinrelationtorighttostrikeareconventionno.87(Freedomof
AssociationandProtectionoftheRighttoOrganiseConvention,1948)and98(RighttoOrganiseandCollectiveBargaining
Convention,1949).Eventhoughtheconventiondoesnotrefertotherightofstrike,theILOcommitteeonexpertshasbeenregarding
itasanessentialpartofthebasicrighttoorganize.
IntheopinionoftheILOcommitteeofexpertssolongasasuitableandeffectivealternateremedyfordealingwiththedemandsofthe
employeesismadeavailabletherewouldbenoobjectiontotherightofstrikebeingrestricted.Theschemeofthejointconsultative
MachinerywhichisatpresentfunctioningfordealingwiththegrievancesoftheCentralgovernmentcoversmainlyclassIIIandclass
IVemployeesofthecentralgovernment.Thescopeofnationalanddepartmentalcouncilsetupundertheschemeincludesallmatters
relatingtoconditionsofserviceandwork,welfareoftheemployeesandimprovementofefficiency.
TheconventionNo.87hadbeenratifiedby144countriesandtheconventionNo.98hadbeenratifiedby154countries.Indiahas
ratifiedneitherofthesetwoconventions.ThemainreasonforournotratifyingthesetwoConventionsistheinabilityofthe
GovernmenttopromoteunionisationoftheGovernmentservantsinahighlypoliticisedtradeunionsystemofthecountry.Freedomof
expression,Freedomofassociationandfunctionaldemocracyareguaranteedbyourconstitution.TheGovernmenthaspromotedand
implementedtheprinciplesandrightsenvisagedunderthesetwoConventionsinIndiaandtheworkersareexercisingtheserightsina
freeanddemocraticsociety.OurConstitutionguaranteesjobsecurity,socialsecurityandfairworkingconditionsandfairwagestothe
Governmentservants.TheyhavealsobeenprovidedwithalternativegrievanceredressalmechanismslikeJointConsultative
Machinery,CentralAdministrativeTribunaletc.Eventhough,theseconventionswerenotratified,therequirementwasnotfeltpriorto
theSupremeCourtjudgmentbanningtherighttostrike.
TheprincipalobjectsoftheIndustrialDisputesAct1947,asanalysedbytheSupremeCourtinthecaseofWorkmenofDimakuchi
Teaestatev.ManagementofDimakuchiTeaEstate
(1)promotionofmeasuresforsecuringamityandgoodrelationsbetweentheemployerandtheworkmen.
(2)relieftoworkmeninthematteroflayoff,retrenchmentandclosureofanundertaking.
(3)collectivebargaining.
ForeignConstitutionalOutlook
Strike,meansconcernedstoppageofworkbyworkersdonewithaviewtoimprovingtheirwagesorconditions,orgivingventtoa
grievanceormakingaprotestaboutsomethingortheother,orsupportingorsympathizingwithotherworkersinsuchendeavour.
TherighttostrikehasacquiredanimpliedauthorizationfromtheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(1948).Articles23,24and25
ofthedeclarationsasserteveryonesrighttowork,righttojustandfavourableremunerationandrighttoformandjointradeunions
andalsotherighttorest,leisure,leaveetc.andtherightforfairlivingconditionswithnecessarysocialbenefits.
TheEnglishCourtshavealreadyrecognisedthisrightasajusticiableright.LordDenninginMorganv.Frystatedthatstrikeislabours
ultimateweaponandinthecourseofhundredyearsithasemergedastheinherentrightofeveryworker.Itisanelementwhichisof
theveryessenceoftheprincipleofcollectivebargaining.Rightfromtheindustrialrevolutionthereasonablerightoftheworkersto
strikeworkisrecognisedinvariouscountries.Article32oftheconstitutionofRwandalaysdownthat
"Therighttostrikeshallbeexercisedwithinthelawsbywhichitisregulated.Itmaynotinfringeuponthefreedomtowork".Article42
oftheconstitutionofEthiopiaprovidestherighttostriketotheworkersandalsoenjoinsthestatetoprovidesuchright,subjecttoany
restrictions,eventothegovernmentemployees.Article34oftheconstitutionofAngolaguaranteesrighttostrikeandprohibits
lockouts.Brazil,thedevelopingLatinAmericancountryalsoguaranteestherighttostrikeunderArticle9oftheconstitution.Capitalist
countrieslikeJapanunderArticle28andSouthKoreaunderArticle33oftheirrespectiveconstitutionsprovidetherighttostrike.
Conclusion
UnlessthestrikeisbannedwithinthemeaningofSec22(1)oftheIndustrialDisputesact,thesamecannotbetermedasillegal
attractingSec24oftheAct.
Section22(1)providesthatnopersonemployedinpublicutilityserviceshallgoonstrikeinbreachofcontract:
(a)withoutgivingtotheemployernoticeofthestrikewithinsixweeksbeforestrikingor
(b)withinfourteendaysofgivingsuchnoticeor
(c)beforetheexpiryofthedateofstrikespecifiedinanysuchnoticeasaforesaidor
(d)duringthependencyofanyconciliationproceedingbeforeaconciliationofficerandsevendaysaftertheconclusionofsuch
proceedings.
Thislegislationmakesapointclearthatthecourtspresumedtherighttostrikeasalegallyjustifiableright.Thepointinwhichthe
courtsweretraditionallyinterferedwaswiththelegalityofthestrikeandnottherighttostrike.Foraworkertherighttostrikeis
fundamentalasitisintertwinedwithverysourceoflivelihood.Itisexpedientonthejudiciary,atleasttheapexjudiciarytorecognise
thisrightfortheworkingclasstosurviveinamixedeconomy.
Eventhoughthereisnoexpressstatementinourconstitutionallawincorporatinginitthedoctrineofseparationofpowers,inthe
interpretationoftheConstitution,thisCourthasbroadlyadoptedthesaiddoctrineinIndiraNehruGandhiv.ShriRajNarainand
others.Eventhoughbyvirtueofitspowersbyinterpretationoflawthecourtinanindirectwayismakinglaw,itshouldbestatedthat
therearewellrecognisedlimitationsonthepowerofthecourtmakinginroadsintothelegitimatedomainofthelegislature.Ifthe
legislatureexceedsitspower,thisCourtstepsin.Iftheexecutiveexceedsitspower,thenalsothisCourtstepsin.IfthisCourt
exceedsitspower,whatcanpeopledo?Shouldtheybedriventoseekanamendmentofthelawoneverysuchoccasion?Theonly
propersolutionistheobservanceofrestraintbythisCourtinitspronouncementssothattheydonotgobeyonditsownlegitimate
sphere.Itisexpedientonthiscourttorecognisetherighttostrikeinthiscontexttoprovidethelegitimatelocusfortheworkers.

MoreArticles:
IndiaPakistanStateSuccessionScenario
FightbetweenRighttoPrivacy&RighttoKnow
TraffickinginWomenandChildren
Istherearighttostrike?

ForlatestSupremeJudgmentsClickHere
AskOurlegalExperts,onissuesrelatedto
DivorceClickHere

TheSupremeCourtverdictinT.K.Rangarajanv.Govt.ofTamilnadu
fliesinthefaceofhigherjudicialprecedent,as....

LawyersDirectory:
DelhiDelhi2KolkataMumbaiChennaiBangaloreHyderabadAllahabadPuneAhmedabadNagpurCochinGurgaon
JaipurLudhianaThaneNoidaIndoreLucknowGhaziabadChandigarhJodhpurPondicherryNewYorkMilan
SwitzerlandBarbadosLondonCameroonDubaiParisJohannesburgLawyersInAmericaLawyersHome

http://www.legalservicesindia.com/articles/legill.htm

2/3

5/8/2015

RightToStrikeALegitimateIllegalitySrinivasmedisetty
Theauthorcanbereachedat:srinivas99@legalserviceindia.com/

68comments

PrintThisArticle

Addacomment

GargiJain
TrademarkRegistrationinIndia
ATRADEMARKisarecognizablesign,designorexpressionwhichidentifiesproductsorservicesofaparticular
sourcefromthoseofothers.Thetrademarkownercanbeanindividual,businessorganizationoranylegal
entity.Atrademarkistypicallyaname,word,phrase,logo,symbol,design,oranimage.Thebiggestbenefit
ofgettingtrademarkregistrationdoneisthattheownerofthemarkcancommencelegalproceedingsfor
trademarkinfringementtopreventunauthorizeduse
services
1)PATENT
2)TRADEMARK
3)COPYRIGHT
4)LITIGATIONRELATEDTO"IPR"
5)ISO90012008&OTHERS'
6)IECCODE
NeedHelp?
(CompanyIndiaGroup)
Call:9810139673,8287022022...SeeMore
ReplyLikeApril27at11:19pm
SubhraBarmanNetajiSubhasChandraBoseTeachersTrainingCollege(B.ED)
Thisismostimportantlawofindia
ReplyLike

1 March12at12:01am
View27more

Facebooksocialplugin

CaseLaws
CivilLaws
CompanyLaw
ConstitutionalLaw
Consumerlaws
Contractslaws
Criminallaw
Dubailaws
EnvironmentalLaw
familylaw
lawyers

HumanRightslaws
Immigrationlaws
IntellectualProperty
InternationalLaw
JuvenileLaws
Lawlawyers&legalProfession
Medialaws
Medicolegal
BareActs
DownloadlawForms
legalserviceIndia

TaxLaws
TortsLaw
WomanIssues
WorkplaceEquality&Non
Discrimination
Miscellaneous
SupremeCourtJudgments
OsamaBinLaden
legalDiscussionForum
LinkExchange
Copyrightlaws

LawyersinIndiaSearchbyCity
lawyersinDelhiNewDelhi
lawyersinMumbai
lawyersinBangalore
lawyersinChandigarh
lawyersinSurat
lawyersinJanjgir
lawyersinPune
lawyersinPondicherry
lawyersinJaipur
LawyersinNoida

lawyersinChennai
lawyersinKolkata
lawyersinHyderabad
lawyersinNagpur
lawyersinIndore
lawyersinAhmedabad
lawyersinJodhpur
lawyersinRanchi
lawyersinAllahabad
lawyersinCochin

Home|Faq|Privacy|Termsofuse|CopyrightRegistration|Divorcebymutualconsent|Lawyers|Submitarticle|ContactUs
legalServicesIndia.comisCopyrightedundertheRegistrarofCopyrightAct(GovtofIndia)20002013
ISBNNo:9789382417019

http://www.legalservicesindia.com/articles/legill.htm

3/3