Indian Trade Unions

This file contains correspondence between the Indian Workers Association and members of Indian trade unions and other workers organisations, largely concerning Indian Workers Association support for workers struggles in India during the early 1990s and their involvement in a conference, but also including correspondence relating to a visit to India by British trade unionists in March and April 1997 where they were to take part in a conference and workshops hosted by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions [CITU]

/1 letter from Shitla P. Srivastava, Northern Railwaymen's Union, to Keith Cockcroft, Birmingham Trade Union Studies Centre, inviting him to visit India to conduct workshops with railway workers and other organisations in Allahbad, and to bring any women shop stewards to conduct workshops with women workers, 26 June 1992

/2-/4 correspondence between Avtar Jouhl and M. K. Pandhe, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, discussing a possible visit to India by British trade unionists, June-July 1992

/5-/8 correspondence and associated papers between Avtar Jouhl, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions and the Construction Workers Federation of India relating to the Second Conference of the Construction Workers Federation of India, held at Cochin, Kerala 21-23 August 1992. Correspondence from Avtar Jouhl mentions that Harpal Brar will attend the conference on behalf of the Indian Workers Association, and gives details about the Association's experience of conditions in the construction industry in Britain. The papers also include a report on the conference proceedings

/9 letter to Avtar Jouhl from the General Secretary of the Construction Workers Federation of India, enclosing publications 'Construction Industry in India at Cross Road' and 'A Paper on the impact of new technology on construction industry and its workers in India' 2 November 1993. These publications do not survive in the archive

/10 letter to Avtar Jouhl from the General Secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions [CITU] discussing an ITF seminar to be held in Delhi in January 1994 and inviting delegates to the CITU conference in March 1994, 28 November 1993

/11-/12 correspondence between Avtar Jouhl and the General Secretary of CITA regarding the appointment of Prem Singh to represent the Indian Workers Association at the CITA conference, 31 January 1994

/13 letter to Avtar Jouhl from CITA about the appointment of Harminder Singh Atwal as project co-ordinator in the Commonwealth TUC project, 8 October 1994

/14-/17 correspondence relating to salary arrears of National Projects Construction Corporation [NPCC] Ltd Workers Union of India workers, consisting of copies of letters from Binoy Mukherjee, National Projects Construction Corporation Ltd Workers Union of India to the Indian Prime Minister asking him to intervene in the wage dispute and copy letters from Avtar Jouhl to Binoy Mukherkjee and the Indian Prime Minister on behalf of the Indian Workers Association on this matter, November-December 1994

/18 Letter to Avtar Jouhl from Ajity Doval, High Commission of India regarding his letter to the Prime Minister of India about the wage problems faced by workers union of NPCC/RPNN Ltd 19 January 1995

/19-/20 correspondence between M. K. Pandhe, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, and Avtar Jouhl, discussing a programme of events to mark the 25th anniversary of the Centre from 1 May 1995. Avtar Jouhl's letter conveys greetings and a message of support for the Centre from the Indian Workers Association that mentions the work of Indian trade unions and the struggle of Indian people for independence, March 1995

/21-/32 correspondence and associated papers relating to a study visit to India by women staff at South Birmingham and Solihull Colleges who were also members of the University and Lecturers' Union NATFHE. These papers largely consist of letters from Avtar Jouhl to trade union members in India making arrangements for the women to participate in workshops, and arranging accommodation and travel