Industrial Relations & Labor Laws

Trade Unions & Negotiating Union (IRC 2020)

Registration of Trade Unions, Negotiating Union 51% threshold, Negotiating Council 20% rule under IRC 2020.

Target: EPFO APFC 2026Topic-Level RAG Context ActiveModel: Nemotron 3.5 Lightning 30B / 120B

Topic Overview

Registration of Trade Unions, Negotiating Union 51% threshold, Negotiating Council 20% rule under IRC 2020.

Key Syllabus Concepts

  • Industrial Relations Theories (Unitary, Pluralist, Marxist, Systems approach of Dunlop)
  • Trade Union Registration: Minimum 7 members, minimum 10% or 100 workers on muster roll
  • Negotiating Union under IR Code 2020: Sole union if single, or union with 51%+ worker support
  • Negotiating Council under IR Code 2020: Constituted with unions having at least 20% worker support

High-Yield Important Points & Rules

  • 💡 If one trade union has 51% or more support, it is recognized as sole Negotiating Union under Section 14 IRC 2020.
  • 💡 If no union has 51%, a Negotiating Council is formed giving 1 seat for every 20% support.

Historical UPSC EPFO PYQ Relevance

3 Matched PYQs
2025EPFO APFCGeneral Ability Test• Q.93
Full Question
Which one of the following is not a right provided to a registered Trade Union under Chapter III of the Trade Unions Act, 1926?
2023EPFO APFCGeneral Studies• Q.31
Full Question
Following are the Central Federations of Trade Unions of Workers formed in India. Which is the correct sequence of their formation from the earliest to the latest?
1
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
2
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
3
Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA)
4
United Trade Union Congress (UTUC)
5
Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)
6
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)
2023EPFO APFCGeneral Studies• Q.33
Full Question
Suppose there are five trade unions, namely A, B, C, D and E functioning in an establishment currently employing 1100 workmen. The membership strength of each union is as follows:
Trade UnionMembership Strength
Union A100
Union B370
Union C110
Union D275
Union E80
Based on the strength of membership, which of the above unions can be registered under the Trade Unions Act, 1926?

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