Workmen Thr. Hindustan Lever Mazdoor S vs Hindustan Levers Ltd

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision that the dispute regarding the ceiling on dearness allowance had become stale due to the closure of the respondent's Ghaziabad unit and the voluntary retirement of all workmen under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme of 2000. The Court noted that the settlements dated 31.12.1974 and 5.12.1977 were binding, but given the changed circumstances, it was expedient to quash the proceedings before the Industrial Tribunal. The Court affirmed that there was no industrial dispute as the unit had no workmen employed, thus supporting the High Court's ruling under Section 4(Ka) of the U.P. Industrial Disputes Act.