GENERAL RADIO AND APPLIANCES LTD Vs. ITS WORKMEN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THESE are references under S. 10A of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, by the respective State Governments of Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Bihar and Mysore for arbitration of disputes between General Radio and Appliances, Ltd., and its workmen at Bombay, Calcutta, New Delhi, Madras, Patna and Bangalore in respect of demands for wage -scales, dearness allowance, etc.

(2.) THE arbitration referred to me under S. 10A for the Bombay workmen is in respect of the following demands :

(3.) IN support of the demands the Bombay General Employees' Association has made the following general submissions in its statement of claim : The company has been in existence for nearly thirty years. It deals in radios, electrical goods, home appliances, canteen equipments, air conditioners, etc. It is a sole distributor of National Ekco and Pye radios throughout India. It is a well established prosperous concern. It employs about 190 employees in Bombay and about 275 in other branches in India. The terms and conditions of service of the workmen were settled by negotiation in 1954. There was a second settlement in September 1956 and a third settlement on 11 April 1963 regarding pay -scales and other conditions of service. There was a further settlement regarding dearness allowance in March 1965. The union terminated the settlements and made fresh demands by a letter dated March 29, 1966. Since 1963 the circumstances have materially changed. The company has expanded its activities and its financial position has substantially improved. It has made large profits and paid good dividends. Profits for 1965 are substantially higher than in previous years.