Hyundai union threatens strike

More labour trouble may be in store for Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) here, with the company saying it had signed a pay agreement with its recognised workers union, the Hyundai Workers Committee.

The rival Hundai Motor Employees Association, which claims majority support, denounced the announcement and threatening a sit-down strike at the factory here from tomorrow.

“We have decided to start a sit-in strike at the company’s Irungaatukottai facility and will disturb the production starting from 8.30 pm Thursday,” K Thanga Pandian, vice-president, HMEU, said. “The next course of action will be decided tomorrow,” he told Business Standard.

HMEU members went on a strike in April-May, stating that the company management had not recognised the union, a registered body formed in 2007, and had dismissed and suspended various personnel for enrolling with them.

The strike came to an end on May 17, after a settlement involving the government’s labour commissioner. A Sounderrajan, honorary president of the union and the Tamil Nadu president of CITU, the Marxist labour union, said the strike was called off after the management agreed on various issues, including an assurance on wage settlement.

He alleged the labour department had asked the management to enter into an agreement only with the HMEU, whereas the company went ahead and signed the agreement today without their knowledge.