TATA CHEMICALS LTD. vs ITS WORKMEN

The Supreme Court addressed the applicability of Section 2(k)(P) and Section 18 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, determining that a settlement reached with a recognized union does not preclude a minority union from raising disputes if the settlement was not arrived at through conciliation. The Court held that accepting benefits from a settlement does not equate to acquiescence, and the government retains the authority to refer disputes for adjudication regardless of prior agreements. The appeal was dismissed, affirming the tribunal's award of dearness allowance between 85% to 95% of the Ahmedabad Textile rate.