Which one will be better for a union leader - Existing employee Or Retired employee?

Which one will be better for a union leader
Existing employee
Or
Retired employee
The question arises with thinking that management might threaten regarding anything when the leader is among the employee and might stuck him depending on his demand and if the leader is a retired employee he will be free from all these threatenings and he can also know all the conditions in the company by his comrades

Both, internal and external leadership have their own advantages as well as disadvantages and their relative importance would depend on which side one is. From experience, it can be said that the external leadership is interested in perpetuating their existence while the internal leadership is reluctant to rock the boat. External leadership is more knowledgeable on the industry-wide trends and internal leadership is more aware of the intricacies of employee issues.
However, axiomatic is the saying that every organisation gets the trade union leadership it deserves

Which one will be better for a union leader Existing employee Or Retired employee?

The Existing employee is a good choice. Your worries that management can action is out of question because is a protected workman. It may so happen that the retired employee may not take interest because he is not the part of the industry or directly have any liability. You and other members should find out a person with leadership quality and knowledge of labour laws, rules and market trend.

Dear Colleague,

Between the existing and retired employee, who will be better depends on who has ability to deliver results and who is not purchasable by the management.

In terms of taking disciplinary action , yes , existing employee can be vulnerable despite his being protected workman. Protected workman doesn't mean he has immunity. Only thing is for his dismissal , prior permission from the labour court is mandatory.

Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR and Employee Relations Consultant