The Madras Labour Union (of the Buckingham and Carnatic Mills)

Abstract

A brief history of the union and the efforts are taken by Ramanjalu Naidu and Selvapathy Chettiar to organize workers of the B&C Mills in 1918, and the formation of the union on 27 April 1918. Initial struggles included setting up a cooperative store to provide workers with provisions at a lesser price, introduction of a 40-minute lunch break, wage struggles, workers to be treated with respect by Europeans, salary to be paid before the 7th of every month, etc.