SHIBU METAL WORKS Vs. THEIR WORKMEN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal is brought from the award of the industrial tribunal, Punjab, Patiala, dated 15 April, 1963, in reference No. 5 of 1962, published in the Punjab Government Gazette (Part I), dated 3 May, 1963.

(2.) THE appellant is a factory under the name and style of Shibu Metal Works Jagadhari, being a partnership concern registered under the Partnership Act and carrying on the business of manufacture of circle sheets and brass utensils The appellant has been employing about 65 to 70 workmen who were shown on the muster-rolls. Among other sections of the factory the appellant has three section, viz., chhilai, lathe and press where it adopted the practice of getting its work done through contractors On 30 October, 1957 there was a settlement between the workmen and the management with regard to several matters. The settlement was arrived at before the conciliation officer and one of the terms of the settlement was an undertaking by the workmen not to raise any dispute covered or not covered by the settlement for five years, i.e., from 1 April, 1957 till 31 March, 1962, except in cases of victimization. The secretary, Metal Mazdoor Sabha served a demand notice on 3 July, 1962 upon the appellant with regard to many matters.

(3.) A preliminary objection was taken on behalf of the appellant before the industrial tribunal that this reference was bad in law because the settlement dated 30 October, 1957 was extended for another five years by the second agreement dated 21 February, 1962 by which the workmen undertook not to raise any dispute for five years except in a case of victimization. The preliminary objection was rejected by the industrial tribunal on the ground that there was no evidence to show that the workmen who negotiated with the management for extending the agreement had the authority of the other workmen of the establishment as required by rule 58 (2)(b) of the industrial disputes (Punjab) Rules. On the merits of the reference the industrial tribunal decided item 1 regarding Hari Ram's victimization in favour of the management With regard to the other two items, viz., abolition of contract labour and the grant of casual leave, the industrial tribunal held that the management should abolish the contract labour system within a period of three months from the date the award came into operation and that management should grant six days' casual leave with wages in a year to the workmen.