Election for sole bargaining Agent in Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd, Mumbai

Office of Chief Labour Commissioner(Central),Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India conducted election for deciding sole bargaining agent on behalf of workmen in the establishment of Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd, Mumbai on 4.8.2021 and 5.8.2021 followed by counting on 6.8.2021.

The process was initiated on the request of KRCL management so that smooth industrial relation in the establishment may be ensured. The smooth conduct of the election during this testing time of pandemic and heavy rainy season became possible due to detailed planning and excellent execution of the same by Returning officer &Dy CLC© Mumbai and his team and prompt cooperation by KRCL Management in arranging the logistics etc.

There were two contesting Unions this year. Conducting an election in KRCL has always been a tough task as the spread-over of employees working locations is more than 740 Kms excluding its team at J&K and New Delhi.

The period of recognition of the Union (NRMU) was over in APR 2020. Because of COVID-19 pandemic, the election process could not commence in time. On end of first wave of this pandemic, CLC Office nominated DYCLC(C), Mumbai as a returning officer and first meeting could have held in the month of Feb 2021.  In compliance of Disaster Management rules, it was instructed to obtain prior permission of local DMA i.e District Magistrate. Efforts were made to obtain the same, in the meantime dreaded second wave of the pandemic stormed the country.

When effects of second wave are getting reduced then again Unions and management had started pressing for conduct of the election since its already delayed by more than a year. Accordingly, the Present Returning Officer (RO) made all out efforts to obtain permission from various DMs, which had been granted with various tough stipulations and the election could be held.

All procedureswere undertaken by MOLE as per the guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in case of food corporation of India on request of management of industrial undertakings. Election in the present establishment started initially in the year 1997, with an order of Hon’ble High Court Mumbai.

KRCL is a company incorporated under companies act 1956 having its HQ at Belapur,Mumbai, Maharashtra. The 740 km long railway line of the establishment connects the states of Maharashtra, goa and Karnataka and passes through mountainous Konkar region, the organization also undertakes some difficult construction projects in hills like in Jammu and Kashmir etc.

Considering the length and breadth of organization 26 booths were created right from Belapur to Mangalore through Goa. It also included Delhi and Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministryleft no stone unturned in the pandemic in order to ensure free and fair election complying all the COVID protocol and completed the job without any deviation so that appropriate tool may be provided to the workmen in absence of concomitant rights under schedule 19 of constitution.

On completion of successful Election of KRCL, Shri D.P.S. Negi, Chief Labour Commissioner(Central) congratulated all the officials & staff of Mumbai region & management & also congratulated winning and participating unions for completing a peaceful election.