How Can We Resolve a Standoff with Our Employee Association and Prevent Fund Misuse?

Dear members, we are faced with a very strange situation in our organization. We have an internal association that is recognized by management and is also registered. Our Code of Discipline (COD) was due for discussion with management, but the association refused to engage with management on the grounds that the panel constituted by the association had the name of a terminated employee, and management refused to accept this name. This led to a situation whereby the association called off negotiations with the negotiating team.

Employees, seeing this stalemate, decided to form a committee and enter into negotiations on the COD directly. This consent was given by all serving employees of the organization, and 98% have agreed to the terms discussed in the COD.

Now, seeing this trend, the General Secretary (GS) of the association has decided to affiliate our internal association with a trade union of a political party, which has been opposed by all members. As a result, the majority have resigned in protest.

The association has substantial funds that can be misused by existing members (just 10-15), and employees want to prevent this from happening.

Please suggest any remedy available. Removing the GS isn't possible because of his intimidating tactics (he himself has been terminated).

Any suggestions to resolve this impasse will be welcomed.

Regards,
SR

Steps to Address Union Resignation and Formation of an Independent Body

1. Inform the management about the resignation of all members from the Union to form a non-affiliated and independent body. This letter, addressed to the Union General Secretary, must bear the signatures of all resigning members. Copy this to management and seek negotiations on the basis of this breakaway outfit. You must also seek affiliation from any other Trade Union to gain industry recognition. It will also give you legal sanction, and the Management will be safe too. Please also remember that all Trade Unions are in some way or the other affiliated with some political party, though their heads would have you believe otherwise. This is not a disadvantage but an advantage when it comes to an industry stalemate where issues have to be raised in Parliament. I know you do not envisage such a scenario, but still, it is always good to have the blessings of mighty people. Anyway, the choice is yours.

2. Secondly, this same letter - copy to the Bank where funds are parked and warn the Manager against this majority split in the organization, and therefore, no funds movement should be allowed until the matter is sorted out and a new body recognized is in place. This should dissuade the Bank from acting on these funds.

I think these measures should help. All the best.

Regards, Robin Varghese

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Blog: Shooting from the hip

Thank you for your inputs. Currently, the majority of members have tendered their individual resignations. Is it possible to compile all of them and present them as one consolidated bunch to both management and the bank?

Thanks and regards.

Dear Rocks_72,

Please draft a fresh letter to the management and gather signatures from all resigned members, requesting separate negotiations due to a loss of faith in the current leadership. Additionally, inform management that you will not be held responsible for the actions of the current leadership/union. If necessary, include separate sheets as allonge for collecting member signatures.

The same letter (once acknowledged by management) should be forwarded to the bank manager for their records. Kindly ensure to obtain acknowledgment on this letter from the bank personnel as well.

Hope this information is helpful.

Best regards,
Robin Varghese
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Blog: Shooting from the hip - http://www.delhiyounglad.blogspot.com