American International Journal of Social Science Research; Vol. 3, No. 1; 2018 

ISSN 2576-103X   E-ISSN 2576-1048 

Impact Factor: 4.6 

Published by Centre for Research on Islamic Banking & Finance and Business, USA 

   

 

13 

 
 

Socio-Economic Profile of the Union Members in APSRTC:A 

Case Study of Visakhapatnam City 
 

 

R. Lydia
1 
& B. Ravi Kumar

2 

 
1
Department of MBA, Vijaya Institute of Management, India 

2
Department of MBA, Amrita Sai Institute of Science and Technology, India 

 

Correspondence: B. Ravi Kumar, Amrita Sai Institute of Science and Technology, India 

 

To cite this article: Lydia, R., & Kumar, B. R. (2018). Socio-Economic Profile of the Union Members in 

APSRTC:A Case Study of Visakhapatnam City. American International Journal of Social Science Research, 

3(1), 13-21. Retrieved from http://www.cribfb.com/journal/index.php/aijssr/article/view/139 

 

Received: August 15, 2018             Accepted: August 29, 2018                Online Published: September 6, 2018 

 

 

Abstract 

Trade unions help in accelerated pace of economic development in many ways. They are helping in the 

recruitment and selection of workers, inculcating discipline among the workforce, enabling settlement of 

industrial disputes in a rational manner and helping social adjustments with their activities. Workers have to 

adjust themselves to the new working conditions, the new rules and policies. Workers coming from different 

backgrounds may become disorganized, unsatisfied and frustrated. Unions will help them in such adjustment. 

The present study is an attempt to portray the socio-economic-profile of the sample respondents (union 

members) with reference to Visakhapatnam City. 

 

Keywords: APSRTC, Age wise distribution, Caste, Gender wise distribution, Income wise distribution, 

Religion, Union Members, Visakhapatnam City. 

 

1. Introduction 

The existence of a strong and recognized trade union is a pre-requisite to industrial peace. Decisions taken 

through the process of collective bargaining and negotiations between employer and unions are more influential. 

Trade unions play an important role and are helpful in effective communication between the workers and the 

management. They provide the advice and support to ensure that the differences of opinion do not turn into 

major conflicts. The central function of a trade union is to represent people at work. But they also have a wider 

role in protecting their interests. They also play an important educational role, organizing courses for their 

members on a wide range of matters. Seeking a healthy and safe working environment is also prominent feature 

of union activity.  

Trade unions are a part of society and as such, have to take into consideration the national integration as well. 

Some important social responsibilities of trade unions include promoting and maintaining national integration 

by reducing the number of industrial disputes, incorporating a sense of corporate social responsibility in workers 

and achieving industrial peace. Hence, the trade unionism in India developed quite slowly as compared to the 

western nations. Indian trade union movement can be divided into three phases.  

2. Purpose of the Study 
The primary objective of the study is to portray the socio-economic profile of the sample union members with 

reference to Visakhapatnam city. 

 

 



 
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Research Design 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Results and Discussion 

 

Table – 1: Gender wise distribution of the sample union members in APSRTC 

 

Gender Unions Total 

NMU EU CITU 

Male 116 

(77.3) 

28 

(93.3) 

20 

(100.0) 
164 

(82.0) 

Female 34 

(22.7) 

2 

(6.7) 

- 36 

(18.0) 

Total 150 

(100.0) 

30 

(100.0) 

20 

(100.0) 

200 

(100.0) 

 

 

Figure – 1:Gender-wise distribution of the sample union members in APSRTC 

 

 
 

The table 1: shows the distribution of male and female employees in APSRTC working under three different 

unions. The above table depicts out of total employees 4/5
th

 employees are male as male are more preferred to 

this trade compared to females and in that most of the employees are working under NMU union compared to 

EU and CITU. 

 

Table – 2: Age wise distribution of the sample union members in APSRTC 

 

Age Unions Total 

NMU EU CITU 

20-29 years 26 

(17.3) 

3 

(10.0) 

- 29 

(14.5) 

30-39 years 69 

(46.0) 

5 

(16.7) 

13 

(65.0) 
87 

(43.5) 

40-49 years 38 

(25.3) 

14 

(46.7) 

3 

(15.0) 
55 

(27.5) 

50-59 years 17 

(11.3) 

8 

(26.7) 

4 

(20.0) 
29 

(14.5) 

Total 150 

(100.0) 

30 

(100.0) 

20 

(100.0) 

200 

(100.0) 

 

Sampling Area Visakhapatnam City 

Sample Size 200 

Sampling Unit APSRTC 

Sampling Method Convenience sampling 



 
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Figure – 2: Age wise distribution of the sample union members in APSRTC 

 

The above table 2: shows the age wise distribution of the employees working under three unions. Most of the 

employees are working under NMU union and When the total employees are distributed age wise most of them 

(43.5%) are of age group 30-39 years which indicates earning age group(30-39yrs) are preferring as a union 

members when compare with other age groups. 

 

Table – 3: Distribution of the sample union members by their religion 

 

Religion Unions Total 

NMU EU CITU 

Hindu 114 

(76.0) 

19 

(63.3) 

14 

(70.0) 
147 

(73.5) 

Muslim 7 

(4.7) 

1 

(3.3) 

- 8 

(4.0) 

Christian 29 

(19.3) 

10 

(33.3) 

6 

(30.0) 
45 

(22.5) 

Total 150 

(100.0) 

30 

(100.0) 

20 

(100.0) 

200 

(100.0) 

 

 

 
 

Figure – 3: Distribution of the sample union members by their religion 

 

The above table 3: shows the distribution of employees according to their religion working under three different 

unions. Out of total employees most of them (75%) are working under NMU union and in all three unions most 

of them are Hindus (73.5%) and very less members are Muslims (4.0%). 



 
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Table- 4: Distribution of the sample union members by their Caste 

 

Caste Unions Total 

NMU EU CITU 

O.C 43 

(28.7) 

12 

(40.0) 

4 

(20.0) 
59 

(29.5) 

B.C 76 

(50.7) 

8 

(26.7) 

9 

(45.0) 
93 

(46.5) 

S.C 31 

(20.7) 

10 

(33.3) 

7 

(35.0) 
48 

(24.0) 

Total 150 

(100.0) 

30 

(100.0) 

20 

(100.0) 

200 

(100.0) 

 

 

 
 

Figure – 4: Distribution of the sample union members by their caste 

 

The above table 4: explains about the Caste of employees working under three different unions. Out of the total 

employees, 3/4
th

 are working in NMU union in which half of them belong to backward caste and in remaining 

half, open category employees are more compared to schedule caste. In EU union open category are more than 

Scheduled class and the least are Backward class of employees whereas in CITU Backward class are more 

compared to Schedule class and the least are open category.  

 

Table – 5: Distribution of the sample union members of their marital status 

 

Marital status 
Unions 

Total 
NMU EU CITU 

Unmarried 
22 

(14.7) 

4 

(13.3) 

5 

(25.0) 
31 

(15.5) 

Married 
128 

(85.3) 

26 

(86.7) 

15 

(75.0) 
169 

(84.5) 

Divorce - - - - 

Widower - - - - 

Total 
150 

(100.0) 

30 

(100.0) 

20 

(100.0) 

200 

(100.0) 

 

 

 



 
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Figure – 5: Distribution of the sample union members of their marital status 

 

The above table 5: shows the distribution of Unmarried and Married employees working under three different 

unions. Out of three unions employees working in NMU are more compared to EU and CITU and in overall 

3/4
th

 are married and 1/4
th

 are unmarried which indicates married are more preferred to work in this Department 

compared to unmarried. 

 

Table – 6: Distribution of the sample union members by their level of education 

 

Level of education Unions Total 

NMU EU CITU 

Bellow SSC 14 

(9.3) 

4 

(13.3) 

2 

(10.0) 
20 

(10.0) 

SSC 45 

(30.0) 

12 

(40.0) 

5 

(25.0) 
62 

(31.0) 

Intermediate 63 

(42.0) 

7 

(23.3) 

8 

(40.0) 
78 

(39.0) 

Graduate 24 

(16.0) 

5 

(16.7) 

4 

(20.0) 
33 

(16.5) 

Post graduate 4 

(2.7) 

2 

(6.7) 

1 

(5.0) 
7 

(3.5) 

Total 150 

(100.0) 

30 

(100.0) 

20 

(100.0) 

200 

(100.0) 

 

 

Figure – 6: Distribution of the sample union members by their level of education 

 

 
 

The above table 6: shows the level of education of the employees working under three unions. The above table 



 
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depicts that out of total employees, employee with SSC and Intermediate qualification are more compared to 

other educational background which indicates higher qualification people (graduates & post graduates) do not 

prefer to work in this particular trade.  

 

Table – 7: Distribution of the sample union members by their designation  

 

Designation Unions Total 

NMU EU CITU 

4
th

 class 11 

(7.3) 

2 

(6.7) 

- 13 

(6.5) 

Mechanic 6 

(4.0) 

4 

(13.3) 

2 

(10.0) 
12 

(6.0) 

Driver 54 

(36.0) 

14 

(46.7) 

12 

(60.0) 
80 

(40.0) 

Conductor 79 

(52.7) 

10 

(33.3) 

6 

(30.0) 
95 

(47.5) 

Total 150 

(100.0) 

30 

(100.0) 

20 

(100.0) 

200 

(100.0) 

 

 
 

Figure–7: Distribution of the sample union members by their designation  

 

The above table 7: shows the distribution of sample respondents in terms of their designation under three unions 

of employees. A significant amount of members are in NMU union working as conductors (52.7%) followed by 

drivers (36%). Among the EU, 46.7 percent of the employees are drivers, followed by 33.3 percent conductors, 

13.3 percent mechanics and the least 6.7 percent are 4
th

 class employees. Whereas, under CITU 60.0 percent are 

drivers, followed by 30.0 percent conductors. Hence, overall conductors (47.5%) dominate, followed by drivers 

(40.0%).  

 

Table – 8: Distribution of the sample union members by their traditional occupation of the family 

 

Family occupation Unions Total 

NMU EU CITU 

Agriculture 14 

(9.3) 

2 

(6.7) 

2 

(10.0) 
18 

(9.0) 

Business 9 

(6.0) 

2 

(6.7) 

2 

(10.0) 
13 

(6.5) 

Caste Based Profession 15 

(10.0) 

2 

(6.7) 

2 

(10.0) 
19 

(9.5) 

Employment 112 

(74.7) 

24 

(80.0) 

14 

(70.0) 
150 

(75.0) 

Total 150 

(100.0) 

30 

(100.0) 

20 

(100.0) 

200 

(100.0) 



 
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Figure – 8: Distribution of the sample union members by their traditional occupation of the family 

 

The above table specifies about traditional occupation of the family among three unions in APSRTC. Out of the 

total respondents from all the union employees, majority of their traditional occupation of the family (75.0%) 

are employees and from the remaining 9.5 percent are caste based profession, 9.0 percent are of their family 

occupation are agriculture and the remaining very few (6.5%) are business people.  

 

Table – 9: Distribution of the sample union employees of their previous occupation 

 

Occupation Unions Total 

NMU EU CITU 

Student 73 

(48.7) 

13 

(43.3) 

12 

(60.0) 
98 

(49.0) 

Un employment 64 

(42.7) 

10 

(33.3) 

4 

(20.0) 
78 

(39.0) 

Employed 11 

(7.3) 

3 

(10.0) 

4 

(20.0) 
18 

(9.0) 

Daily wage earners 2 

(1.3) 

4 

(13.3) 

- 6 

(3.0) 

Total 150 

(100.0) 

30 

(100.0) 

20 

(100.0) 

200 

(100.0) 

 

 

 
 

Figure–9: Distribution of the sample union employees of their previous occupation 



 
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The above table-9 explains about the distribution of the above three types of union employees in APSRTC by 

their previous occupation. Out of the total respondents from all the union employees of their previous 

occupation, most of them (49.0%) are students and from the remaining 39.0 percent are un employed, 9.0 

percent are employed and the remaining very few (3.0%) are daily wage earners.  

 

Table – 10: Distribution of the sample union employees of their annual income of the family 

 

Annual Income (Rs.) Unions Total 

NMU EU CITU 

Less than 50,000 2 

(1.3) 

- - 2 

(1.0) 

50,000 - 1 lakh 92 

(61.3) 

10 

(33.3) 

14 

(70.0) 
116 

(58.0) 

1 - 2 lakhs 54 

(36.0) 

20 

(66.7) 

5 

(25.0) 
79 

(39.5) 

2 - 4 lakhs 2 

(1.3) 

- 1 

(5.0) 
3 

(1.5) 

Total 150 

(100.0) 

30 

(100.0) 

20 

(100.0) 

200 

(100.0) 

 

 
Figure – 10: Distribution of the sample union employees of their annual income of the family 

 

The above table infers about the annual income of the family among the three unions. Out of the total 

respondents from all the union employees, more than half percent of employees family annual income is 

between Rs 50,000 to 1 Lakh then about 39.5% of employees annual income is between 1 to 2 lakhs and near or 

about 1% employees income is either low i.e less than 50,000 or more i.e. between 2 to 4 lakhs.    

 

Table – 11: Experience of the sample union employees working in this profession 

 

Experience  Unions Total 

NMU EU CITU 

Below 5 years 20 

(13.3) 

3 

(10.0) 

3 

(15.0) 
26 

(13.0) 

6-10 years 68 

(45.3) 

7 

(23.3) 

9 

(45.0) 
84 

(42.0) 

11-15 years 29 

(19.3) 

9 

(30.0) 

2 

(10.0) 
40 

(20.0) 

16-20 years 33 

(22.0) 

11 

(36.7) 

6 

(30.0) 
50 

(25.0) 

Total 150 

(100.0) 

30 

(100.0) 

20 

(100.0) 

200 

(100.0) 



 
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Figure – 11: Period of the sample union employees working in this profession 

 

Table-11 designates the distribution professional experience among the three types of union in APSRTC.  

Majority of the employees (42.0%) are having 6-10 years of experience, 13.0 percent are having below 5 years 

of experience as union employees. Among the total employees of NMU, most of them (45.3%) are having 6-10 

years of experience as a union employee, whereas EU employees, majority of their experience as a union 

employee (36.7%) are having 16-20 years of experience and 30.0 percent are having 11-15 years of experience,. 

From the total CITU employees of their experience as union employees in APSRTC, most of them (45.0%) are 

having 6-10 years of experience. 

4. Findings 

 The data reveals that male employees in APSRTC are dominating the female employees in number, 

and among which majority group of employees are from backward caste followed by forward caste and 

schedule caste. While most of the employees are married, a significant number of employees are 

unmarried.  

 The education levels of the employees indicate that a dominated group are with intermediate 

qualification (39.0%) followed by SSC (31.0%), graduates (16.5%) and post graduates  

 Out of the total employees selected for data, conductors (47.5%) are dominating with their number 

followed by drivers (40.0%) and very few are 4
th

 class employees. 

 According to the data, in NMU and CITU majority group of employees are with 6-10 years of 

experience, but in the case of EU, majority group of employees are having more than 11 years 

experience in the organization, and it shows that in three unions most of respondents are joined during 

1999 to 2005 as union employees. 

5. References 

Anjana Raju, Jim Barreto. (1999).Trade Unionism in Goa: A Case Study of Zuhari Industries Ltd. And Goa 

Shipyard, Management and Labour Studies.24(4),219-224. 

Arya, P.P. (1982). Labour Management Relations in Public Sector Undertakings, New Delhi, Deep and Deep 

Publications. 

Bernstein, I.(1954).The Growth of American Unions. American Economic Review. 

Chatterji, Rakhhari. (1980).Union Politics and the State – A Study, Mathur. A.S., and Raman, R.Trade Union 

Leadership in India. Agra University, Journal of Indian Labour Politics, New Delhi, South Asia 

Publishing. 

Davio E. Guest and Philip Dewe. (1988).Why do Workers Belong to Trade Unions? A Social Psychological 

Study in the UK Electronic Industry. British Journal of Industrial Relations (London),26(2),178-93. 

Deal, H.S. (1985).Trade Unionism in Public Sector - A Case Study of Punjab State Electricity Board, 

unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Patiala, Punjab University. 

 

 

 

 

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