Context: All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the first trade union of India founded by freedom fighters like Lala Laljpat Rai and Joseph Baptista without any political affiliation turned 100 on 31st October, 2020.

• The day was marked with an event reflecting on the past and the daunting task the unions face in bringing together workers in the post-liberalisation era.

Background

• The founding of AITUC itself was part of the workmen struggle to demand a 10-hour working day and dearness allowance that brought together a wide spectrum of workers.

About All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC):

• AITUC is first trade union of India.( Its first to be at pan-India level).
• It is India’s second largest trade union federation after the Indian National Trade Union Congress.
• It was formally established on 31 October, 1920 at Bombay presided by Lala Laljpat Rai.
• Other freedom fighters associated with foundation were N M Joshi, Joseph Baptista and Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
• It was established to represent India at the International Labour Organisation of the League of Nations. 
• Throughout the 1920s British communists gained a great deal of control over the AITUC.
• They gained complete control during World War II but lost some popular support when they chose to support the war effort along with Britain.
• Their ideology was class-based, and they preferred a militant struggle against capitalism and imperialism.
• Since then, AITUC leaders have been split into reformist and revolutionary factions.
• The AITUC is affiliated with the World Federation of Trade Unions.
• AITUC in its second session in 1921 in Jharia (Jharkhand) had adopted a resolution of Swaraj (Complete independence).
• In 1942, the union organised the working class in textile mills of Bengaluru, mines in Hutti and Kolar, besides beedi and tiles industries.
• AITUC was influenced by social democratic ideas of the British Labour Party.
• "Trade Union Record" is the fortnightly journal of the AITUC.
• AITUC is a founder member of the World Federation of Trade Unions.

Note: The first clearly registered trade-union is considered to be the Madras Labour Union founded by B.P. Wadia in 1918, while the first trade union federation to be set up was the All India Trade Union Congress in 1920.