The Thane Industrial Court directed TMTU to continue the services of 30 contract workers, ruling that terminating them during a pending dispute amounts to unfair labour practice
30 Thane transport workers to continue services due to pending legal dispute. File Pic
In a major relief for 30 contract workers, the Thane Industrial Court in Maharashtra has directed the Thane Municipal Transport Undertaking (TMTU) to continue their services, reported the PTI.
The court observed that an employer cannot unilaterally change service conditions while a legal dispute is pending.
The ruling was delivered on February 2 by Industrial Court member SZ Sonbhadre, though the detailed order became available on Wednesday. The decision came in response to a complaint filed by the Maharashtra Municipal Kamgar Union (MMKU), which challenged the termination notice issued to the workers.
Union challenges termination notice
The dispute began after TMTU issued a notice on January 27, 2026, informing workers engaged in cleaning and sweeping at bus depots that their services would no longer be required after February 1. The union argued that the move was unfair and illegal, especially since a related case seeking permanency benefits for these workers is already pending before the Industrial Tribunal.
TMTU defended its action by stating that the workers were hired through a contractor, Arya Enterprises, and that the contractor’s agreement expired on January 31. Therefore, according to TMTU, the complaint was not maintainable.
However, the court found inconsistencies in TMTU’s stand. It noted that while the original tender was for the appointment of 11 workers, as many as 31 workers were actually engaged. “The respondent (TMTU) is not coming with clean hands before the court and is hiding the information from the Court,” the order stated as per PTI reports.
The court further observed that the employer was not justified in terminating the services of the workers under these circumstances.
Termination termed ‘unfair labour practice’
Invoking Section 33 of the Industrial Disputes Act — which requires maintaining the status quo during pending proceedings — the court held that the termination amounted to unfair labour practice. “The action on the part of the respondent, in effecting termination of service of the workmen, amounts to unfair labour practice,” the court said as per PTI reports.
The court has directed TMTU to continue the services of the 30 workers either as temporary employees or through an agency while the complaint remains pending. However, it clarified that this interim relief does not grant the workers any automatic right to claim direct or permanent employment with TMTU. The final outcome will depend on the decision in the ongoing legal proceedings.
The order brings temporary relief to the workers while the broader dispute over their employment status continues.
(With PTI Inputs)
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