KUMAR RAJARATNAM, J.

( 1 ) THE writ petition is taken up with the consent of parties.

( 2 ) HEARD Mrs. Mangalamba Rao, learned Counsel for the petitioner, mr. K. Kasturi, learned Counsel for the management, Mr. M. C. Narasimhan, learned Counsel for the respondent and the learned Government advocate for the third respondent.

( 3 ) THE only question that arises for consideration in this writ petition is whether a settlement entered into under Section 18 (3) of the Industrial disputes Act between the recognised union and the management is binding on the minority union.

( 4 ) THE matter relates to shifting of the Hubli Unit to Harihar unit subject to certain benefits being given to the workmen by the management.

( 5 ) THIS Court more or less by an interim order dated 23-2-2000 settled the matter amicably between the petitioner and the first respondent management.

( 6 ) ALTHOUGH that interim order may have brought an end to this litigation it would be appropriate for this Court to deal with the writ petition filed by the petitioner and to state the legal position correctly.

( 7 ) THE second respondent is a registered trade union. It enjoys the majority support of the workmen. The practic

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