Streamlining Union Representation: Sole Bargaining Rights

Under the new Section 12A, if multiple unions are recognized by the same employer, the unions may decide among themselves who will hold the sole bargaining rights. If they cannot agree, any party may apply to the Director General for a determination via a secret ballot.

Section 12B further stabilizes this arrangement by stating that once a union obtains sole bargaining rights, no other union can challenge that position for a period of three years. This ensures that collective bargaining—the process of negotiating terms like wages and skill training—can proceed without constant jurisdictional disputes, fostering long-term industrial peace.