Analysis and Lessons

Trade unions tamed by Government/Railway board

Railway board behaving as autonomous body though subsidiary of
GOI
Unions used as a tool to discipline workers
Strike symbolic of refusal of patron-client disposition of unions by
workers
Lessons
Strong trade unions true representatives of workers required
Trade unions to kept outside political adventurism
Empathetic management- address the issues of staff
Effective redressal system required
Policy measures to set to contain any human rights violation

Role of State
Employers
Agency for protecting the rights of the workers
Gave free reign to Railways board
Tamed trade unions for imposing rules on working class
Laxity in addressing grievances of workers
No revision in pay scale for several years
After the onset of strike, took brutal measures to suppress the strike