Judgment

WANCHOO, J. : These appeals arise out of seventeen applications under S. 33-A of the Industrial Disputes Act, No. 14 of 1947, (hereinafter called the Act). The brief facts necessary for their disposal are these. The appellant is a press working in Delhi. It appears that there was a dispute between the appellant and its workmen with respect to certain demands made by the workmen. That matter was pending before the conciliation officer. While those proceedings were pending, the workmen served upon the management a notice on October 3, 1955, intimating that they would strike after fourteen days. This period was to expire on October 18, 1955, but the workmen went on strike from October 17 and the strike continued till October 29. In the meantime, the Chief Commissioner made a reference on October 19, 1955, and also declared the strike illegal. But the order declaring the strike illegal was received by the union on October 29 and thereafter the strike was called off from October 30. When the time for payment of wages came the appellant deducted wages for the period from October 19 to October 29, 1955. Thereupon certain workmen applied under S. 33-A of the Act with respect to thi