Trade Unions in APSRTC A Study of Select Unit

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1 79 Trade Unions in APSRTC A Study of Select Unit Guguloth Raju, Assistant Professor of Commerce, Government Degree College Dubbak, Medak (D), Telanagana ABSTRACT The paper improves a representation of trade union movement and industrial relations in APSRTC, based on a questionnaire survey of members of the trade union. This article examines factors that influence the ability and enthusiasm of trade union members to take on voluntary roles at the level of the branch and region. The article compares the movement and industrial relations in relation to possible barrier to union contribution. Participation at both branch and regional levels is found to be associated with collective orientations and the level to which members feel positive by Road Transport Corporation to become active within the union. The findings point to the significance of union efforts to give confidence members to take on lay delegate roles and participate in union governance. Key words: Trade Union, Industrial Relations, Trade union movement, Transportation. INTRODUCTION APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) the other name for this organization is common man s vehicle or poor man s vehicle. As per the estimates of the organization more than one crore passengers travel daily in the State from one place to another place. APSRTC which is used as an essential service by all the sections of society should get its pie of Importance from its benefactors. To acquire resources organizations must inevitably interact with their social environments. No Organization is completely self contained survival comes when the organization adjusts to and copes with its environment, not only when it makes efficient internal adjustments Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation is a corporation which is meant for providing service to the common man. According to the Corporations estimates only more than 1.32 (Vijay Durga Prasad,2011) crore passengers travel in APSRTC on a daily basis. This shows the enormous service this organization does for the sake of the public. It covers all the sections of the society and almost all the parts of the state in doing service. But it has its own problems created by number of factors. One of the problems has been taken and considered in this study that is the Impact of Employee Satisfaction and Union Management relation on Customer Satisfaction (that is passenger satisfaction). Employees who feel satisfied with their jobs provide higher levels of customer satisfaction. Such an organization which is having lot of importance now a day is plagued by problems. This humble study is an attempt to provide a solution for increasing customer satisfaction which is being eroded systematically. After the analysis of the study we can clearly conclude that Employee Satisfaction and Union Management relation show considerable impact on Customer Satisfaction. Estimation of a path analytic model using the aggregated data shows that customer perceived service quality completely mediates the relationship between employee job satisfaction and customer satisfaction. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS One of the most commonly debated topics of the day in the industrial parleys is indiscipline in industry. The phenomenon of industrial unrest is not a sudden creation. Workers or labor class is the major and most important human resource of any country and they are developed through better quality and standards of life. But workers remained undeveloped because of being under privileged, deprived, and victim of the exploitation of employer. Khan (1992) mentioned that labor was considered as a commodity and was subject to economic laws of supply and demand. Therefore institution appeared in the form of labour unions and system appeared in the form of Industrial Relations. Industrial relations, is a tripartite system having government, employers and labour unions as its three components. The Wikipedia defines this as: Field of industrial relations looks at the relationship between management and workers, particularly groups of workers represented by a union. Governments set the framework for labour relations through legislation and regulation. (Wikipedia-a). REVIEW OF LITERATURE A sincere effort is made to review selected general studies on transport and studies on Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC). The research work undertaken is Performance Appraisal of Urban Transport of Visakhapatnam A Study. Relevant information available on the subject in the literature collected relating to the present studies has been cited and discussed wherever necessary in the chapter concerned. Vijaya Rani

2 80 K. & E. (2005) Raja Justus studied the impact of Absenteeism among transport employees causes and efforts with reference to TNSTC, Kumbakonam, and Division-1. The study revealed the following impacts on the organisation due to absenteeism. They are: higher employee turnover; loss of income; loss of good will; emergence of competitors; poor industrial relation; low work culture and increase in costs. Ayesha Bangi (2004) studied the increased motorization and its impact on traffic congestion and higher level of pollution in Hyderabad city. Rapid urbanization and increasing land use changes have led to a tremendous increase in the travel demand. A high vehicle destiny with mixed traffic conditions coupled with an inadequate road not work have led to an increase in traffic congestion. Traffic management measures discouraging individual modes of travel are the most effective way to reduce congestion and hence noise levels. Segregating the 47vehicles according to their speeds into different exclusive lanes would also help in reducing the effect of mixed traffic behaviours, thereby increasing mobility. Since sufficient space is not available in the city centre for transport improvement, a careful inventory of land uses in the city should be carried out to consider the possibility of shifting some nonconforming or non required land uses away from the central business district. Deshpande and Ashwini Dalvi (2004) stated that the sustainability of the transport system will be largely affected by environmental factors. They asserted that the application of traditional economic rules for decision making will prove inadequate to evaluate overall sustainability of transport system and therefore shall need a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach in solution finding. Socio-environmental awareness is most important to ensure sustainable transport. Pradeep Singh Kharola (2004) in his study discussed the importance of urban transportation. Urban Transport in India has been dominated by the buses and a demand driven approach as for better where an efficient public transport system weans away the demand for the personalized vehicles. Sunil Kumar K. and Madhu N. (2004)5 The importance of Urban Transportation for providing mobility the men and materials for the growth of urban economy has been discussed by Sunil Kumar K. and N. Madhu (2004). Urban Transportation has become the basic ingredient for providing the much mobility to men and material and also for the growth of the urban economy.48vittal Data Prabhu & S. Murali (2004) suggested that awareness about the causes of road accidents can bring down accident rates. Various factors such as human, automobile, geographical, infrastructure, information and legal factors are discussed with suitable examples. EVOLUTION AND GROWTH OF TRADE UNIONS IN APSRTC There were no Trade Unions till In 1946 the railway Union was formed under the leadership of Syed Kasim and Ragavendra Desai. In 1946, The Road Transport workers joined in Railway Union. In 1948, The Road Transport workers formed a new separate Union i.e. Corporation Employees Union. In 1967 a new affiliated Union was started called as Mazdoor Union in Hyderabad. The national workers Union and Mazdoor Union have emerged and there by a new Union called National Mazdoor Union also started working. NEED OF THE STUDY Favorable industrial climate is a perquisite for good industrial relations and enhance value of the work force. The study on industrial climate occupies enormous significance due to the following reasons. A) Better industrial climate reduces the causes for industrial disputes. B) Ideal industrial climate enhances motivation and productivity. C) To examine the evolution, growth and functions of Trade Unions in APSRTC. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY To investigate the working of Trade Unions in APSRTC in Warangal Dist. To analyze the influence of Trade Union on Management Decisions in APSRTC in Warangal Dist. To offer suitable suggestions for improving the industrial climate in the organization SAMPLE AND SOURCE OF DATA For the purpose of the study the researcher intends to make use of the purposive random sampling method for survey and the sample size is designed as 300. Primary data will collected by interviewing 65 randomly selected trade union leaders and 20 officials of APSRTC. Similarly in order to elicit the opinions of workers 215 workers will be consulted with a structured questionnaire. Thus in all the study would cover the opinions of Three hundred respondents. The secondary data will be collected from Study Team Reports, Journals, Press notes, published annual reports, policy documents, websites and periodical manuals of APSRTC. HYPOTHESIS Accumulating losses on state transport undertaking like APSRTC are attributive to poor industrial climate leading to declining productivity lack of communication in scientific work habits, and poor working conditions above

3 81 all. The proposed state reorganization should give adequate emphasis on improving the industrial climate in the corporation by redesigning the job, working conditions including safety and welfare, organization, restructuring without addressing the problems of industrial climate may not give the desired results of profitability and productivity. METHODOLOGY The date will be collected from the both primary and secondary sources are classified, tabulated and analyzed. The statistical tools such as percentages, ratios and correlation coefficient will be used wherever applicable in the analysis. Executive views will be collected through a questionnaire and results of the primary data will be corroborated with the results obtained from the secondary data analysis. Appropriate conclusions will be drawn from the analysis. At the end suitable suggestions shall be offered for improving industrial climate in APSRTC. Table No.1 Trust and Confidence on Working of Trade Unions Management 1(5%) 0(0%) 1(5%) 4(20%) 14(70%) 20(100%) Union Leader 5(7.7%) 5(7.7%) 10(15.4%) 18(27.7%) 27(41.5) 65(100%) Employees 18(8.4%) 17(7.9%) 278(13. %) 63(29.3%) 89(41.4) 215(100%) Total 24(8%) 22(7.3%) 39(13%) 85(28.3%) 130(44.3%) 300(100%) Pearson Chi-Square a Table No.2 Role of Trade Union in Promoting Employees Interest Management 1(5%) 0(0%) 2(10%) 5(25%) 12(60%) 20(100%) Union Leader 3(4.6%) 6(9.2%) 6(9.2%) 33(50.8%) 17(26.2%) 65 (100%) Employees 11(5.1%0 20(9.3%) 14(6.5%) 111(51.6%) 59(27.4%) 215(100%) Total 15(5%) 26(8.7%0 22(7.3%) 149(49.7%) 88(29.3%) 300(100%) Pearson Chi-Square a Table No.3 Influence of Trade Union on Management Decisions. Management 1(5%) 0(0%) 1(5%) 9(45%) 9(45%) 20(100%) Union Leader 2(3.1%) 1(1.5%) 12(18.5%) 26(40%) 24(36.9%) 65(100%) Employees 5(2.3%) 3(1.4%) 46(21.4%) 82(38.1%) 79(36.7%) 215(100%) Total 8(2.7%) 4(1.3%) 59(19.7%) 117(39%) 112(37.3%) 300(100%) Pearson Chi-Square a Table No.4 Attitude and Behaviour of Trade Unions. Management 0(0%) 1(5%) 4(20%) 5(25%) 10(50%) 20(100%) Union Leader 2(3.1%) 3(4.6%) 7(10.8) 27(41.5%) 26(40%) 65(100%) Employees 8(3.7%) 8(3.7%) 33(15.3%) 94(43.7%) 72(33.5%) 215(100%) Total 10(3.3%) 12(4%) 44(14.7%) 126(42%) 108(36%) 300(100%) Pearson Chi-Square a 8.720

4 82 FINDINGS Table No.1 Trust and Confidence on Working of Trade Unions From table no.1as per the responses of the above respondents it was found that the majority of the respondents (43.3%) have opined that they have very high opinion on trust and confidence levels of the working of the trade unions. The data reveals that only 8 per cent (24 members) of the respondents in the corporation have very low with confidence and trust levels. Hypothesis testing: with regard to the trust and confidence on working of trade union. The chi-square from the table for 8 degrees of freedom at 5 percent level of significance is Since calculated value of chi-square is lower than table value. Therefore the alternative hypothesis (H 1 ) is rejected. Hence it may be concluded that, there is no significant difference in the opinion expressed by Management, Union leaders and Employers with regard to the trust and confidence on the working of trade unions. Table No.2 Role of Trade Union in Promoting Employees Interest. From table no.2 as regards the role of trade unions in protecting employee s interests. Out of 300 respondents about 50 per cent of the respondents felt that the trade union leaders play vital role of protecting employee s legitimate rights. Among the three groups of the above table, 5 per cent of respondents said that the role of trade unions have less impact in promoting employees interest in the transport corporation. To find out if there is any significant difference in the opinion of the respondents group wise, chi square test applied. with regard to the role of trade union in promoting employees interest. It can be observed from the chi-square tests analysis that the chi-square from the table for 8 degrees of freedom at 5 percent level of significance is Since the value of chi-square at is lower than table value. The alternative hypothesis (H 1 ) is rejected. Hence it may be conclude that, there is no relation between the opinions with regard to the role of trade unions in promoting employees interest. Table No.3 Influence of Trade Union on Management Decisions From the table 3 it can be observed that about 76 percent of the respondents are very satisfied with their trade unions. They opine that trade unions have significant impact on influence on management decisions. Unions strive for good working conditions and they always fight against the managements for the purpose. So as per the data indicated by above table, it can be inferred that 4.0% of respondents vote for very less impact on influence factor. with regard to the influence of trade union on management decisions. It is to infer from the chi-square tests analysis that the chisquare from the table for 8 degrees of freedom at 5 percent level of significance is Since calculated value of chi-square is lower than table value. Therefore the null hypothesis (H 0 ) is accepted. Hence it may be concluded that, there is no relation between the opinions expressed by Management, Union leaders and Employers with regard to the influence of trade union on management decisions. Table No.4 Attitude and Behaviour of Trade Unions From table no.4 the outline of the above table describes that majority of the respondents 234 members (78%) felt that their trade union leaders are of friendly nature and often very co-operative. The date presented in the above table, it is not worthy that only 22 members (7 %) of the respondents are not satisfied with the attitude and behaviour of trade unions. To find out if there is any significant difference in the opinion of the respondent s group wise, chi square test applied. with regard to the attitude and behaviour of trade union. From the above fact it can be derived that the chi-square tests analysis. The chi-square from the table is for 8 degrees of freedom. At 5 percent level of table value is Since calculated value of chi-square is lower than table value. Therefore the null hypothesis (H 0 ) is accepted. Hence it may be concluded that, there is no relation between the opinions expressed by Management, Union leaders and Employers with regard to the attitude and behaviour of trade unions.

5 83 SUGGESTIONS 1. The study has a few suggestions to the management to improve industrial relations in the Transport Corporation (APSRTC) in Warangal Dist. 2. The management of APSRTC should conduct monthly review meeting of workers in every branch. 3. Trade Unions leaders should organise seminars for their members and to educate them into the policies. 4. It is highly recommended that Union executives are focus on training programmes for its members. 5. The management should deliberate authority in proper way. 6. The management of APSRTC must be conducting a grievance cell in every week. 7. To avoid harassment to employees at discrimination while taking action against the workers. CONCLUSION APSRTC is a public utility; concern operating under Government regulations and the management was more influence by trade unions. The trade unions in the State Transport Undertakings are in a good condition. The members are well-versed with the trade union movement. There are many changing economic environment poses new challenges. The trade union s should be a careful blend of what is relevant in the existing set up and the new for the future. The management of the State Transport Undertakings should also develop healthy programmes to strengthen the trade union movement, through various schemes and activities. These activities are more effective in the organuisation. REFERENCES [1] 1.Vijaya Rani, K, & E Raja Justus, (2005), Impact of Absenteeism in the Public Transport Undertakings with Special Reference to TNSTC, Kumbakonam Division-1, Indian Journal of Transprt Management, p [2] 2.Ayesha Bangi., (2004), Traffic and Overuse Impact, A Case Study of Hyderabad City, Indian Journal of Transport Management, volume, 28(1), p.65. [3] 3.Deshpande, V.K., and Ashwini Dalvi., (2004), Environment and Sustainable Transport, Indian Journal of Transport Management, volume 28(1), p. 52. [4] 4.Pradeep Singh Kharola, (2004), The High Capacity Urban Bus: Prerequisites and Advantage, Indian Journal of Transport Management, volume 28(2), p.206. [5] 5.Sunil Kumar, K. & N. Madhu, (2004), Travel Characteristics of Autosikshaws in Thiruvananthapuram City, Indian Journal of Transport Management, vol. 28(2). p.189.