Labour Union

hi all,
My workers have got themselves affiliated to a labour union. i have a few questions :
1) can we refuse to recognise the union
2) what are the implications of a union
info - we have 30 workers - not all are registered with
the said union. The said union is affiliated to INTUC since 1990's.
pl advise path forward
anyone who can guide.
regards, shilpa

Except in Maharashtra there is no Act which tells about recognizing a trade union. However, a trade union is recognised automatically when you call them for negotiations etc. Since the workers have formed a union and that information has been communicated to you their responsibility ends. It is now your turn to reply to the communication. You can not send a letter saying that the union is not recognised and by doing so you will not be benefited also. Therefore, be silent.

I do not think that trade union will be a head ache for the organisation. It is good for healthy industrial relations so long as it is not a militant union. My understanding is that employees form union just because they are ignored by the management. Only discontentment result in an idea to unite and strengthen their bargaining power. Therefore, I will only blame the management and not the employees if they form a union. If you had the patience to listen to their grievances and sort out their issues, they would never have gone for a collective bargaining machinery. Still you can play your role by making you approachable so that the significance of the union will become less.

Regards,

Madhu.T.K