WORKMEN OF JOINT STEAMERCOMPANIES vs JOINT STEAMER COMPANIES

The Supreme Court held that the operations of a transport company between India and Pakistan cannot be treated as distinct industrial activities for the purpose of applying the Full Bench Formula under Section 21 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The Court confirmed the Labour Appellate Tribunal's rejection of the workmen's claim for bonus for the years 1949 to 1952, stating that the overall operations must be considered rather than separating them by country. The Court also noted that even if access to account books was granted, it would not lead to a different conclusion regarding the application of the Full Bench Formula.