THE WORKMEN Vs. PRESIDING OFFICER INDUSTRIAL TRIBUNAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) To understand the crux of the dispute between the Union and the Management in this case, it may be relevant to recapitulate the facts leading to the 12(3) Settlement dated 26.12.1992 entered into between the parties in the presence of the Joint Commissioner of Labour.

(2.) The preamble to the terms of the Settlement dated 26.11992 would by itself graphically portray the industrial climate that was prevailing in the Establishment

(3.) From a reading of the above paragraphs, it is evident that the payment of bonus to the permanent workmen under the Management was the bone of contention between the parties. According to the Management, the permanent workers would very frequently go on strike and thereby hamper production and to placate them, the Management would dole out ex-gratia payments as bonus for maintaining industrial peace. This became an annual feature and therefore, the Management wanted a long term settlement to the issue of bonus and ex-gratia payments.