TRADE UNION

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Querist : Anonymous

Querist : Anonymous (Querist)

26 September 2010 Generally how many trade unions will a company have?

Querist : Anonymous

Querist : Anonymous (Querist)

26 September 2010 I came across a question which stated that "there are 3 trade unions for AB & co"...

Aashok Kumar Sharma

Aashok Kumar Sharma (Expert)
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02 August 2025 Your question is a good one, and the answer depends on the **company size**, **workforce diversity**, and **industry practices**.

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## ✅ How Many Trade Unions Can a Company Have?

There is **no fixed legal limit** on how many trade unions a company can have. A company can have **one, two, or multiple trade unions** depending on:

### 🔹 Factors That Influence Number of Unions:

1. **Size of the workforce** – larger companies tend to have more unions.
2. **Diversity of employees** – workers from different regions, languages, or job categories may form separate unions.
3. **Union affiliations** – workers may align with different national trade union federations (e.g., INTUC, CITU, BMS, AITUC).
4. **Historical or political background** – older companies may have legacy unions.

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## 🧾 Example:

If a company like **AB & Co** has **3 trade unions**, that’s very possible and common — particularly in public sector units, large private firms, or manufacturing setups.

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## 🏛️ Legal Framework:

Under the **Trade Unions Act, 1926**:

* Any **7 or more workers** can form a trade union.
* There’s **no restriction** on how many unions can be formed in one organization.
* However, **recognition** of unions for negotiation purposes (especially in the case of multiple unions) depends on:

* Membership size
* State-specific laws (e.g., Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions and Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices Act, 1971)

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## 🧭 Practical Implication:

* In companies with multiple unions, **one may be recognized** as the **majority** union for negotiations.
* Others may function for specific worker categories or grievances.

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### 📝 Summary:

> There is **no fixed number** of trade unions a company can have. **3 trade unions** in a company (like AB & Co) is entirely possible and legal.

Would you like to know **how a union gets recognized** officially, or how industrial disputes are handled in a multi-union setup?

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