Employees Threaten Canteen Boycott to Push Demands: How Can We Legally Respond?

Hello Dear Professionals,

Please help to handle this situation in order to maintain industrial peace in the organization. Some employees have stated that they are going to boycott the canteen services (food/tea/coffee) and will continue working without having any food. Their intention is to settle their charter of demands. How can we legally prevent them from using these tactics?

Your earlier response is awaited.

Thanks and Regards,
Sagar

Every single problem in industrial relations is unique, though the solutions may be many and varied. Therefore, I hope you will agree with me that whenever you seek suggestions in this regard from others who are both unaware of and unconnected with the problem and your industry, it is imperative to provide all the inputs relating to your query.

Information Needed for Effective Suggestions

Can you please let the forum know the following?

What is your industry - a factory, a shop, or an establishment providing services? How many people are employed therein as workmen? Are the workmen unionized, and if so, how many unions are there? Is any particular union recognized by the Management? Are you legally bound by the provision of a canteen facility? Is the food supplied in the canteen subsidized or free of cost? What is the nature of demands in the charter - i.e., relating to all workmen or to a particular section of workmen? Are the demands covered by any existing settlement or award? Is there any negotiation, either bilateral or tripartite, on the issues in progress?

Thank you.

Regards