All India Port and Dock Workers Federation

{{short description|Trade union in India}}

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{{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}}

All India Port and Dock Workers Federation (AIPDWF) , founded in 1949 is the largest trade union representing workers at India's 12 major government-owned ports. It is affiliated with the socialist trade union center Hind Mazdoor Sabha.{{cite book|title= Challenge of Change: Industrial Relations in Indian Industry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pnI7-soFMcUC&pg=PA454|pages=454–456|editor1-last=Venkataraman|editor1-first=CS|editor2-last=Varma|editor2-first=Anil|publisher = Allied Publishers|year=1997|contribution=Changes in Industrial Relation in Indian Ports|last=Venkataraman|first=CS| isbn=9788170236511 |accessdate=7 July 2017}}{{cite news|title=Government planning to convert 12 of 13 Union govt-owned ports into companies|accessdate=7 July 2017|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/1bNWZWafvfvLyVywQK6vvJ/Government-planning-to-convert-12-of-13-ports-into-companies.html|publisher=LiveMint|author=P. Manoj}}

The union split in 1989 during a nationwide strike by port workers. The previous agreement between the port unions and the government had expired in January 1988. Frustrated with the lack f progress in negotiations, AIPDWF, as well as unions affiliated with INTUC and AITUC launched a strike in June 1989. After four days, a breakaway faction led by Shanti Patel, called off the strike and gained recognition from the government. AIPDWF ended its strike after another two days.

In recent times, AIPDWF has become a vocal opponent of the Indian government's plan to corporatize the various publicly owned ports, viewing the step as a give-away of public property to private firms.