Amend Trade Unions Act, HC to Govt

Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to amend certain sections of the Trade Unions Act to bar outsiders from serving as elected members or office bearers of a trade union.
Justice N Kirubakaran in an order passed recently, suggested that sections 6 and 22 of the Trade Unions Act be amended to ensure that outsiders did not become office bearers and such persons shall not have powers to negotiate with the managements.
The judge also restrained the President and Secretary of the Indian Overseas Bank Employees Association from participating in the negotiations with the management.
The petitioner, S Valaiyapathy, an employee of the Bank, had challenged the involvement of outsiders in the negotiations with management, as both the President and Secretary had retired from service in 2012.

The judge also suggested that the government enforce Section 3 of Industrial Disputes Act by consulting the "Works Committee" consisting of the representatives of the employers and workmen now in service in the concerned establishments.