1. Heard Mr. V. Menezes, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and Mr. A. F. Diniz, learned counsel appearing for the respondents.

2. The above petition inter-alia prays for quashing of the award dated 08.09.1998 and consequentially remand the reference back to the Industrial Tribunal for adjudication on merits.

3. The brief facts of the case as stated by the petitioners are that the workers representing the ACGL worker's Union raised a demand with the management of the respondent no.1 that they be paid 20% bonus. The management refused to accede to the said demand and accordingly, the workers went on one day strike. Thereafter on 05.11.1985, the workmen concerned with the dispute in the above petition who were the office bearers of the Union were suspended and a charge-sheet was issued to such workmen alleging various acts of violence committed at the factory gate during the protest. But however, no inquiry on such chargesheet was completed. Accordingly, without holding any inquiry and without following the principle of natural justice, the services of the petitioners were terminated. Consequently, the Union raised a demand for reinstatement of the petitioners wi