Industrial Dispute Act_9

D o es the Employer have the right to lock out any Public Utility Service?

No employer carrying on any Public Utility service can lockout any of his workman:
(i) Without giving to them notice of lockout provided within 6 weeks before locking out.
(ii) Within 14 days of giving such notice.
(iii) Before expiry of the date of lockout specified in any such notice.
(iv) During the pendency of any conciliation proceedings before a Conciliation Officer and 7 days after the conclusion of such proceedings.

Industrial Dispute Act_8

What are the provisions for General Prohibition of Strikes and Lockouts?

No workman who is employed in any industrial establishment shall go on strike in breach of contract and no employer of any such workman shall declare a lockout:
(a) During the pendency of conciliation proceedings before a Board and seven days after the conclusion of such proceedings,
(b) During the pendency of such proceedings before a Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal and 2 months after the conclusion of such proceedings.
(c) During the pendency of arbitration proceedings before an Arbitrator and 2 months after the conclusion of such proceedings, where a notification has been issued.
(d) During any period in which a settlement or Award is in operation in respect of any of the matters covered by the settlement of Award.

Industrial Dispute Act_7

Who are Conciliation Officers and what do they do?

The Organization of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) acts as the primary conciliatory agency in the Central Government for industrial disputes. There are Regional Labour Commissioners (Central) and Assistant Labour Commissioners (Central) who on behalf of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) act as Conciliatory Officers in different parts of the country.

The Conciliation Officer makes efforts to resolve the dispute through settlement between the workmen and the management. The duties of Conciliation Officers have been laid down under Section 12 of the Industrial Disputes Act.

Industrial Dispute Act_6

Who can raise an Industrial Dispute?

Any person who is a workman employed in an industry can raise an industrial dispute. A workman includes any person (including an apprentice) employed in an industry to do manual, unskilled, skilled, technical, operational, clerical or supervisory work for hire or reward.

It excludes those employed in the Army, Navy, Air Force and in the police service, in managerial or administrative capacity. Industry means any business, trade, undertaking, manufacture or calling of employers and includes any calling, service, employment, handicraft, or industrial
occupation or avocation of workmen.

Industrial Dispute Act_5

What are the different categories of Industrial Disputes?

The Second Schedule of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 deals with matters within the jurisdiction of Labour Courts which fall under the category of Rights Disputes. Such disputes are as follows:
1. The propriety or legality of an order passed by an employer under the standing orders;
2. The application and interpretation of standing orders which regulate conditions of employment.
3. Discharge or dismissal of workmen including reinstatement of, or grant of relief to, workmen wrongfully dismissed;
4. Withdrawal of any customary concession or privilege;
5. Illegality or otherwise of a strike or lock-out; and
6. All matters other than those specified in the Third Schedule.

The Third Schedule of the I.D. Act deals with matters within the jurisdiction of Industrial Tribunals which could be classified as Interest Disputes. These are as follows:-
1. Wages, including the period and mode of payment;
2. Compensatory and other allowances;
3. Hours of work and rest intervals;
4. Leave with wages and holidays;
5. Bonus, profit sharing, provident fund and gratuity;
6. Shift working otherwise than in accordance with standing orders;
7. Classification by grades;
8. Rules of discipline;
9. Rationalization;
10. Retrenchment of workmen and closure of establishment; and
11. Any other matter that may be prescribed.

Industrial Dispute Act_4

What are Industrial Disputes?

Industrial Dispute means any dispute or differences between employers and employers or between employers and workmen or between workmen and workmen which is connected with the employment or non-employment or the terms of employment or with the conditions of labour of any person.