HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF 7TH SEPTEMBER STRIKE - M.K. Pandhe

A new chapter has commenced in the annals of the trade union movement in India when a united Convention of all the central trade unions was held in New Delhi on 14th July 2009 which chalked out a united programme of movement on five point Charter of Demands relating to the rise in prices of essential commodities, growing un employment, non-implementation of the Labour Laws, Social Security benefits for the unorganised sector workers by providing special fund and opposition to disinvestment of profit making public sector undertakings.

The series of programmes jointly taken up by all the central trade unions and industry wise federations have cemented this unity which has generated a great deal of enthusiasm among vast sections of the working class all over India. For the first time in the history of trade union movement such a spectacular all India unity has emerged.

There have been basic differences about the aims and objectives of the trade union movement and may continue in the near future. However, there are still vast number of issues on which there is common understanding among the trade union movement on which collective assertion by all is of paramount importance.

The disunity in the trade union movement has considerably brought down the collective bargaining strength of the working class in India. The employers and the Government had been ignoring the views of the trade union movement.

On several important national level committees which recommend policies to the Govt. viz. National Development Council, Economic Advisory Council of the Prime Minister, Delegations to United Nations and other important International bodies trade unions representatives do not find a place. In some of these bodies employers representatives have found a place which cannot be ignored by the trade union movement.

Hence, the remarkable unity achieved by the trade union movement has a special significance for not-only the economic demands of the working class. It will create definite impact on the national attitude towards the voice of the working class.

POWERFUL ASSERTION OF THE WORKING CLASS

The 7th September 2010 strike will reflect the powerful assertion of the working class of India not only on economic demands of the working class but also on those who decide the economic and social policies of the country. Both the employers and the Government cannot afford to ignore the assertive unity of the trade union movement in India highlighted in the 15th July 2010 Convention.

Though the BMS leadership found the date inconvenient due to their own programmes it is still a part of the united movement and rank and file of BMS unions will join with other colleagues in organising a powerful nationwide industrial action.

The deteriorating economic conditions of the working class has brought together all the trade unions on a common platform. With growing inequality in the country, the conditions of the vast strata of unorganised working class is likely to deteriorate further. With outsourcing, casualisation and contractorisation the threat to living standard of the working class is bound to increase further.

In such a situation the 7th September all India strike will give a clear cut message to the powers that be that working class of India would not tolerate the deteriorating living conditions and their resistance is bound to grow in future.

I was extremely happy to note that during the 15th July 2010 Convention all the leaders of the central trade unions spoke with one voice when they were pressing the need for organising nationwide strike on 7th September 2010.

This unity must reach every factory, shop, mine, establishment so that workers of all affiliations are brought massively in the countrywide strike action. The unity at the top must percolate to the bottom if the 7th September strike has to involve largest possible mobilisation of the entire working class of the country.

All the Central and State Government offices, all banks and insurance companies, all telecommunication and transport workers, all factories, mines, plantation, ports and docks, defence establishments, all public and private sector workers, all employees of MNCs and foreign corporate houses, all unorganised workers, all self-employed and domestic workers must join this action to make it a resounding success.

FURTHER CONSOLIDATION OF T.U. MOVEMENT

The 7th September strike will pave the way for further consolidation of the trade union movement at a national level. This consolidation is the need of the hour if the trade union movement in India has to advance further.

The 7th September strike will show to the entire country that despite political and ideological differences the working class can come together to protect their class interests. Workers can have political views of their own but they should not come in the way of achieving trade union unity on common issues facing the working class.

They may be local level or industrial level rivalry of sharp differences in approach among the trade unions. They should however, not come in the way of united preparation for the common nationwide action. Central trade unions will have to play a positive role if there are any difficulties in the matter of coming together.

Two weeks before 7th September 2010 local level unions should hold joint demonstrations to serve strike notices to the managements so that untied determination of the working class is forcefully focused all over India.

On the day of strike joint picketing and holding of demonstration and rallies should be organised to reflect the sense of unity and solidarity among the working class of all affiliations. There are several regional trade union organisations which are not part of the nationwide unity. They should be approached by our regional organisations so that their involvement in the strike action is effectively ensured.

Let us all strive together to make the 7th September 2010 strike an unprecedented success. This strike will make the whole country feel that the united working class is determined to play a major role in shaping the destiny of the country free from unemployment, poverty and exploitation.

Source: www.citucentre.org