Trade Unions and Industrial Peace in Karnataka (An Old and Rare Book)

Regional studies about trade unionism are but limited in India though compre bensive works on unionism at the national level are not in dearth. The different historical prespectives in which unionism has emerged, the variations in the level of industrial development, degree of unionisation, colour composition of the unions, cultural mix of the labour force and the like among regions will call for separate studies of the regional components of the disaggregated national trade union movement. Besides, the positive role that the trade unions can play in promoting industrial peace. and in creating a favourable investment climate has increasingly been recognised in India in recent times. A study of unionism from this angle wou'd appear to be quite a rewarding task and the present study is a step in this direction.

This study covers trade unionism in Karnataka and examines primarily the react ions of the trade unions to the problems of industrialisation and economic development: The reactions of the trade unions have been quantified in terms of their participation in disputes and the trends in unions, participation in disputes have been taken as an index of astur: of industrial relations climate that prevailed in Karnataka during the reference period ie.. 1957-75 Besides, the thinking of trade unions on various issues that interest them has been documented. Based on a critical review of union's reactions and thinking in juxtaposition implications for policy making are drawna.