S ASSOCIATION Vs. STATE BANK STAFF UNION STATE BANK OF INDIA OFFICERSSTATE BANK OF INDIA UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IN all the writ petitions though the prayers differ in form, the ultimate relief sought in substance and essence is the same. Hence, by consent, all the writ petitions are taken up together and the counsel on all sides advanced common arguments. IN the circumstances, we dispose of all these writ petitions by this common order.

(2.) THE Writ Appeal No. 683 of 1988 is preferred against an interim order in W.M.P. No. 341 of 1988 in W.P. No. 237 of 1988. In view of the final disposal of all the writ petitions including W.P. No. 237 of 1988, no separate order is necessary in W.A. No. 683 of 1988.

(3.) LET us now set out the case of the petitioners. Before that, it may be noted what is meant by check-off facility. At the specific written request of an employee, the Bank management collects/deducts the monthly subscription from his salary payable to the union named by him. This facility is called as check-off facility. Such facility was given to the employees of recognised union in the Banks who are the respondents before us. Pursuant to a communication from the Government of India dated 11th January 1988, the respondents/Banks have decided to extend the check-off facility to all the registered unions, whether they are recognised or not. Aggrieved by the said decision of the Banks, the recognised unions who have been exclusively enjoying the check-off facility have filed these writ petitions, either for quashing the decision of the Bank management to extend the check-off facility or to restrain the Bank management from extending such facility to the unions other than recognised one.