Wednesday, August 10, 2022

The Day India was a Union of Strikes

A claimed 16 cr members of 10 central trade unions shut down parts of the country to protest changes in labour laws and privatisation of PSUs.

Written by Ruhi Tewari |
Updated: September 3, 2015 6:03:11 am

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Striking workers in Gurgaon on Wednesday. (Express Photo by: Manoj Kumar)

Indian National Trade Union Congress (Affiliated to Congress)

Membership: 3.3 crore

Members in Coal, Steel, Transport, Insurance, Banking, Engineering sectors; also in Agriculture

‘The strike was a great success. We are not against labour reforms, but they should be balanced to benefit both workers and industry… Strength of permanent members is being reduced; contract workers increased.’ — G Sanjeeva Reddy President, INTUC

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All India Trade Union Congress (Affiliated to CPI)

Membership: 1.5 crore

Members in Coal, Road Transport, Steel, Electricity Boards, Engineering participated; also in unorganised sectors like beedi, construction, local bodies, handlooms; headload, anganwadi workers

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‘We had not expected such a great response. This was our 16th strike since 1991, and was the most successful. No sector except Railways was left out. — D L Sachdeva National Secretary, AITUC

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (Affiliated to CPI-M)

Membership: 50 lakh

Members of affiliated unions in Coal, Transport, Petroleum, Banks participated in the strike; also agricultural, petroleum, and ports/docks workers

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‘This was a joint action undertaken by 10 central trade unions. The number of workers was very high. There were workers who are not even unionised, but who took part, which shows our success. Impact was widespread.’ — Tapan Sen, General Secretary, CITU

United Trade Union Congress (Affiliated to RSP)

Membership: 12 lakh

Affiliated unions in Transport, Banking, Insurance, Coal, Steel participated in strike; also from agriculture

‘The strike was very successful all over India despite obstruction by some local governments, particularly in West Bengal. A lot of offices were empty on Wednesday, and people from the unorganised sectors also participated in huge numbers.’ — Abani Roy, General Secretary, UTUC

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