1. The petitioner, the Management of Needle Industries Limited (hereinafter referred to as the 'Management') has challenged the common award dated 27.05.2002, passed by the Labour Court, Coimbatore (first respondent) in I.D.Nos. 2 to 6 etc of 1996.

2. Though the Management has challenged the common award which is in favour of the respondents 5 to 51, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the writ petition is being pursued only against three respondents namely, respondents 22, 42 & 47 who are the petitioners in I.D.Nos.47 of 1996, 63 of 1996 and 68 of 1996 respectively. It is further submitted that in respect of all other workmen/respondents, the matter has been settled.

3. By the impugned award, the Labour Court directed the respondent/workmen to be reinstated by the Management with backwages and continuity of service. Though individual disputes were raised by the respondent/workmen, on a memo filed by the workmen requesting for joint trial, since the facts are similar, all disputes were heard together and a common award has been passed.

4. Before going into the facts of the case and the rival contentions it would be necessary to take into consideration