Jamshedpur: One of India’s oldest and most influential labour organisations, the Tata Workers’ Union (TWU), marked 106 years of its foundation on March 5. This milestone crowns a historic journey that mirrors the evolution of the country’s industrial labour movement. From its origins amid worker unrest in the early 20th century to its current status as a symbol of industrial harmony, the union has played a crucial role in shaping labour rights at Tata Steel and across the nation.
“As the Tata Workers’ Union completes 106 years, its history remains deeply intertwined with the growth of Jamshedpur and the evolution of labour rights in India. From the struggles of early industrial workers to the modern era of cooperative industrial relations, the union’s journey stands as a testament to collective effort and the pursuit of workers’ welfare,” says Shahnawaz Alam, Vice President, Tata Workers’ Union.
The Seeds of Resistance
The union’s roots stretch back to the early days of the Steel City. Tata Steel established its plant in 1908 in Sakchi—then a remote village of forests and tribal settlements. The plant produced its first steel in 1912, eventually attracting thousands of workers from regions like Chhattisgarh, Shahabad, and Saran in Bihar.
In February 1920, workers staged their first organised protest at the Tata Steel plant. Employees of the blacksmith and machine shop stopped work and raised slogans against the management, demanding accident compensation, better treatment, service rules, and strike pay. The protest gathered rapid momentum as thousands of workers joined the movement.
From Association to Union
Realising they needed organised leadership, the workers approached national leaders associated with the freedom struggle. Barrister Surendra Nath Halder and other prominent figures supported the workers’ cause. On March 5, 1920, over 25,000 workers attended a historic gathering where they formed the Jamshedpur Labour Association. Barrister Byomkesh Chakravarty served as the leader, with Surendra Nath Halder acting as the first president. This association later evolved into the Tata Workers’ Union.
The movement’s early years saw intense struggle. In March 1920, clashes between workers and authorities led to a firing incident that killed and injured several workers. However, the agitation eventually secured important gains, including wage increases, improved service rules, the implementation of provident funds, and superior welfare facilities.
Legacies of National Leaders
Prominent national leaders frequently lent their support to the union. Mahatma Gandhi visited Jamshedpur in August 1925 to mediate between workers and management. He emphasised truth and non-violence while advocating for harmony between labour and capital. His intervention helped the association regain formal recognition.
In 1928, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose took charge as president of the Jamshedpur Labour Association. He played a decisive role in strengthening the movement, signing a major agreement with Tata Steel management after prolonged negotiations. Bose also strongly advocated for the “Indianisation” of senior positions within the company.
In 1936, Professor Abdul Bari assumed the presidency. He renamed the organisation the Tata Workers’ Union and brought various labour groups under a single leadership in Jamshedpur. His efforts fortified the trade union movement across the region. Tragically, an assassin took his life in 1947 while he travelled to Patna during communal unrest.
Modernization and Welfare
Following the tenure of Michael John, V.G. Gopal led the union as president until 1993. During this era, then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi inaugurated the Michael John Auditorium in 1984.
In the following decades, leaders such as S.K. Benjamin, R.B.B. Singh, Raghunath Pandey, P.N. Singh, and R. Ravi Prasad guided the union through shifting industrial challenges, including modernisation, workforce restructuring, and economic liberalisation. The union also introduced several welfare initiatives, such as technical education facilities for employees’ children and rest houses for patients and their families in Jamshedpur.
The Tata Workers’ Union celebrated 75 years of industrial harmony with Tata Steel in 2004, an event attended by former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. In 2020, the union marked its centenary with commemorative events highlighting a century of historic progress.
