Aituc And Hms Set To Merge

Two of the major trade unions in the country, the All India Trade Union Congress (Aituc) and Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), are all set to merge to form the largest trade union in Asia.

Leaders of CPI-backed Aituc and the centrist HMS will hold talks this week to discuss the logo, name and flag of the new outfit. Two other trade unions, the United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) and the UTUC (Lenin Sarani), are expected to merge with the combined union soon after. The new entity will have around 55 lakh members after the merger.

The merger efforts come in the wake of the governments suggestion to all the trade unions to form a single confederation as multiplicity of TUs would lead to industrial unrest. Certain TUs are also against identifying their organisations with political parties. A unified TU could put an end to such affiliations. Moreover, corporates as well as public sector undertakings would be able to deal with workers problems quickly in case there is a single union to deal with.

Though the first step towards the merger was taken six years ago at the Madras convention of all trade unions, only HMS and Aituc came forward to discuss it. Last year, both the trade unions held their first joint meeting as well.

First we wanted to create the right atmosphere instead of merging in haste and then breaking away later, Aituc general secretary T Mahendra told Business Standard.

Mahendra will hold talks with HMS President Shanti G Patel this week to thrash out various issues before announcing the merger. Sources said the two would have to resolve issues relating to their international affiliations. While Aituc is affiliated to the International Confederation of Trade Unions, the HMS is affiliated to the World Federation of Trade Unions.

It is also likely that till this issue is resolved, the merged union may stay away from affiliating itself from either of the two international organisations.