TN: The Struggle of Yamaha Motor Workers Union
A Soundararajan
THE Indian Yamaha Motor Workers Union (IYMTS) has won a landslide victory, receiving 96 per cent of the valid votes cast in the secret ballot election held on May 3, 2023, at the India Yamaha Motors Factory in Vallam, Tamil Nadu, to accord recognition to the majority union.
Around four years ago, the workers at the India Yamaha Motor Factory formed a union called IYMTS under the leadership of CITU. However, the office bearers of this union engaged in anti-union activities that went against the interests of the workers. They remained in office for more than three years without holding union elections. In response, the majority of workers held a general body meeting, and in accordance with the unanimous decision made during the meeting, they democratically elected new office bearers for the union through a secret ballot. This move upheld the democratic principles of CITU.
The former union executives, who engaged in anti-worker activities and were ousted from the union, were furious. They appealed to the registrar of trade unions, claiming that the election of newly elected executives was not valid and asserting that the real India Yamaha Motor Workers Union was the one under their leadership. However, their claims were rejected when the majority of workers expressed their support for the newly elected office bearers. In response, the former executives formed a separate rival union. The majority of workers suspected that this rival union was created in collusion with the management.
The rival union's registration by the labour department was surprisingly quick, as it typically takes months to register a trade union. Furthermore, the rival union entered into an 18(1) settlement with the management within a short period. It was suspected that the rival union used their links and influence within the management to achieve this, confirming the claims that the rival union is a mere proxy of the management.
Nonetheless, the majority of workers, led by CITU, rejected the agreement, arguing that it was made by a small group of turncoats without the consent of the majority of workers. More than 500 workers went on a sit-in protest against the alleged agreement and refused to accept any salary increase that was made available to them through the said agreement.
The majority of workers demonstrated remarkable unity for over a year by refusing to receive any benefits through the alleged agreement. They also chose to forego their arrears amounting to several thousands, which were due to them as a result of the agreement. This show of unity and courage by the majority of workers, and a series of negotiations held following the earlier advice from the labour department to end the sit-in strike eventually caused the management to accept CITU's position and agree to hold secret ballot elections to determine the majority union. The management learned a hard lesson for neglecting the interests of the majority of workers and for encouraging turncoats. Against this backdrop, the secret ballot election was held on May 3.
When the India Yamaha Motor Workers Union (CITU) was formed four years ago, the management took a stand that the union could not be accepted and resorted to several retaliatory measures, including the unlawful dismissal of two office bearers. In response, a 65-day strike was held, demanding the reinstatement of the two workers and recognition of the union. This is a significant and noteworthy struggle of trade unionism in contemporary times.
This protest is particularly unique and significant because the struggle was not just for economic demands such as wage revision, but for establishing the right to organise and form a union, as well as the right to collective bargaining. The news of this remarkable strike spread like wildfire, gaining momentum among workers throughout the industrial area, with workers contributing to the food and welfare of the striking workers. As a result, the management agreed to reinstate the two workers and continue talks with the union.
Even then, the management was adamant that outsiders from CITU should not be made union office bearers and the management would not hold talks with them. At that crucial juncture, given the situation at hand, and the fact that the workers had been toiling without a proper wage increase for a long time and had successfully waged a prolonged struggle by enduring significant financial losses, the CITU leadership made a commendable decision that the elected office bearers among the workers would negotiate with the management and advised the executives to seek guidance from CITU leadership. It was also advised that the final decision regarding the settlement was to be taken in the general council meeting, where the majority of workers would be present, along with the CITU leadership.
The former executives committed an act of treachery by misusing their position and entering into an agreement without the consent of the majority of workers in the general body and without any consultation with the CITU leadership.
The majority of the workers were furious at the executives' betrayal and denounced them as traitors. The workers accused the former executives of prioritising their own interests over the workers' cause and betraying the CITU organization that had organised massive protests across the state for 65 days, provided food to the striking workers, led numerous protests with the support of other fraternal associations, distributed tens of thousands of posters and leaflets, and mobilised support from all corners. Given this extensive effort and commitment, how could the workers accept such a betrayal? The second sit-in protest and the recently concluded elections were the outcomes of the unity shown by the majority workers, after this betrayal.
CITU engaged in a prolonged struggle that was both calm and persistent, and they proceeded in a lawful manner while exercising caution to avoid giving the management any reason to blame them. The management approached the High Court seeking a ban on the second sit-in protest by CITU and asked for the protesters, who were sitting day and night, to be evicted through police force. After considering the peaceful and prompt measures taken by the majority of workers, led by CITU, the Court ruled that no stay could be granted against the protest and advised the management to resolve the issue through talks. This ruling dealt a significant blow to the management's approach.
The hopes of the management and the traitors were dwindling with each passing day as they had thought that the workers would sign the alleged agreement for the money owed to them, amounting to Rs 1 lakh. But these workers, resolute and steadfast, stood firm for more than a year. They pledged to stand by CITU, even if there was no wage increase. CITU had become an integral part of their lives, and they refused to let it down.
CITU firmly believes in the principle of "one industry - one union" and has never formed a rival union where it functions as a union. At Yamaha Motors, a small group formed a rival union against CITU and compromised the interests of the workers. The unity of the workers defeated this attempt and created history. The struggle of the Yamaha workers is an excellent example of what the working class can achieve in the end, despite experiencing occasional deceptions, betrayals, losses, repressions, and retaliations.
Until now, union recognition elections have only been conducted based on court decisions. This is perhaps the first time that the management has agreed to conduct secret ballot elections to determine the majority union, largely due to the unwavering unity of the workers and the relentless guidance provided by CITU.
Employers, in general, still argue that recognition is not mandatory by law, and that there is no legal obligation for them to engage in talks with a union. They may even refuse to talk to a union that workers have formed, and unfortunately, the state of the law often supports this position. It is crucial to note that such laws require a significant overhaul to ensure industrial peace and harmony.
Despite the laws, employers often only comply with these tenets due to the pressure exerted by workers through protests and demonstrations. If the industry or establishment is run according to law, if workers' rights are respected and if their right to form a trade union is accepted, CITU will always take appropriate actions in a responsible manner to achieve their demands. However, under no circumstances will CITU compromise the fundamental interests of workers for anyone or anything. CITU is committed to upholding the global rights that the trade union movement has fought for and will always take responsible action to achieve workers' demands.
Following the landslide victory in the elections held on May 3rd, the management, who previously claimed that they would not engage with CITU and dismissed it as a political outfit, have now yielded to the strength of the workers. The management is now legally bound to recognise the CITU Union, with myself as the president of the union, along with CITU functionaries as office bearers. The class unity and struggle of the workers of IYMTS has upheld the legal right granted by The Trade Unions Act, 1926 to have persons not connected with the industry as office bearers of the trade union. This victory will be a significant moment in establishing trade unions in similarly placed industries.
The basis of class unity and struggle is that "an injury to one worker is an injury to all." It is essential for the working class to have a pan-Indian mindset and a global outlook, transcending differences based on caste, religion, region and gender. The working class must unite and fight against any form of exploitation and oppression. Only then can we build a just and equitable society. CITU firmly believes in this principle and will continue to strive for the rights and welfare of the workers.
CITU appreciates the efforts of all workers, organisations, and district committees of CITU who showed their fraternal support throughout the state during this historic protest at Yamaha Motors. We specially thank Senior Advocate NGR Prasad, Advocates Sivakumar, and Pradhapan who consistently stood by the workers and ensured that they won their legal battles during this struggle.
