Judgment

HIDAYATULLAH, J.: This is an appeal by special leave against an award dated 20-9-1963 made by the Presiding Officer of the Central Government Industrial Tribunal, Bombay in a reference made by the Government of India under S. 10 (2) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The appellants are the workmen of the Bombay Port Trust, who are and have been represented in this dispute by the Bombay Port Trust Employees Union. The respondents to this appeal are the trustees of the Port of Bombay. The reference was made on a joint application of the parties and the matter in dispute was stated to be:

"Whether the existing system of work of the shore crew of the Prince s and Victoria Docks under which each shift consists of 8 hours normal duty, 2 hours variable recess and 2 hours overtime needs any modification?"

The Tribunal, by the award impugned here, held that the Union was not able to establish that the existing system of work needed any modification.

2. The Port Trust had under its control several docks. Reference in this judgment will be made to the Prince s and Victoria Docks, the Alexandra Docks, Butcher Island and the Flotilla Crew. These represent different areas of work whe