Trade Unionism is a world-wide movement intended to achieve for the workers the rights of freedom, liberty and equality. An enlightened trade union movement is expected to contribute to democracy as well as economic progress. In the case of India, with the advent of Independence and the advocacy of a liberal labour policy, trade unionism has acquired a significant place in the national arena. The unionisation process as well as the power relations inside and outside affect the character of trade unions, with a bearing on the democratic process in the country. The existing studies on trade unionism in India relate to its history in terms of finances, structure, factionalism, leadership, etc., but the issue of union democracy has been paid scant attention and remains investigated. The present study is, therefore, aimed at filling this lacuna. The study sets out to provide answers to questions such as: What constitutes union democracy? What democratic practices do unions employ and what role is performed by leaders and members to democratise the trade union?

While presenting the material in this study the theoretical base and the working hypotheses on union democracy are dealt with in Chapter 1. The historical factors which are to be necessarily discussed in ex post facto model of research, are traced in Chapter 2. Further, since the profile of the leaders and the members is expected to have an impact on union democracy, it is presented in Chapter 3. An analysis of the union's democratic mechanisms and the factors contributing to democracy, constitutes the subject matter of Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, on the Port Trade Union movement, differences in profiles of the union leaders and the members, the pattern of the Union Government, the factors influencing the pattern and finally the conclusions. In this venture, guidance and help were sought from reputed institutions and persons in the field. It is my humble duty to express my gratitude to the concerned academicians, trade unionists and others.

I am highly indebted to Prof. K. Ranga Rao, Head of the Department of Industrial Relations & Personnel Management and Head of the Department of Sociology, Andhra University, Waltair, for prompting me to work on this vital topic and guiding me actively all through. I am immensely grateful to Prof. C.V.R. Raghavulu, Head of the Department of Political Science & Public Administration, Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar, for effectively guiding me to complete the work and making it statically sound. I am thankful to Prof. B.V.S. Patrudu, Department of Industrial Relations & Personnel Management, Andhra University, for his advice as a Doctoral Committee member.

**Contents and Sample Pages**