Maruti sacks 11 workers, strike continues

Car maker Maruti Suzuki India today sacked 11 workers employed at its Manesar facility, which has been crippled by a strike since Saturday.

"The services of 11 persons, who were inciting workers to go on an illegal strike and created an atmosphere where safety of people were in danger, have been terminated," Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Chairman RC Bhargava told PTI.

He said the workers had gone on strike without any notice but added the management is continuing the dialogue with the striking workers.

Refusing to accept the worker's demand, Bhargava said: "There is no other union... If they have any issue, they should have at first written to us and discussed with us."

He, however, said the company is hopeful of finding an amicable solution soon.

According to workers sources, the sacked employees include eight office bearers of the newly formed union, Maruti Suzuki Employees Union (MSEU), besides three other workers.

"We will resist any forcible move to evict those 11 people from the factory premises... The strike will continue," an agitator said.

Meanwhile, production at the plant came to a complete halt and the company is estimated to have incurred a loss of about 1,200 units so far as the workers' strike entered the third day.

"The situation remains the same as of now (as yesterday's)," a company spokesperson said.

The strike comes at a time when MSI has seen slowing down of sales in the recent past as the auto industry grapples to overcome challenges of rising fuel prices and interest rates.

In May, MSI's domestic sales grew by just 3.9% to 93,519 units from 90,041 units in May, 2010.

On Saturday, about 2,000 workers employed at the plant struck work from the second shift of the day.

Striking workers are demanding the recognition of a new union -- Maruti Suzuki Employees Union (MSEU) -- formed by those working at the Manesar plant, besides retaining contract labourers for the two upcoming new units inside the complex.

Refraining from any disciplinary action against the 11 office bearers of the new union is another demand.

According to senior officials of MSI, who wished not to be named, the company has so far incurred a production loss of about 1,200 units till the first shift of operations today.

The plant rolls out about 1,200 units every day in two shifts. While the first shift operates between 7.30 am and 4 pm, the second shift starts at 4 pm and ends at 12.30 am.

The workers said the company currently has one union, Maruti Udyog Kamgar Union, which is mainly dominated by those working at the Gurgaon facility.