Maruti workers to rebuild union as leaders quit

It’s rebuilding time for the unrecognised Maruti Suzuki Employees Union (MSEU) at the company’s Manesar factory.

As many as 11 functionaries of the union, who’d led the recent strike at the plant, have resigned after taking a hefty “full and final settlement” from the company.

The workers say they’re preparing, in the coming week, to hold elections and constitute a new set of office-bearers. “There is a sense of mistrust, as the people who had spearheaded the agitation for the last four-five months are no longer around. But you don’t stop travelling because a bus breaks down. We are planning to hold elections and nominate new people,” said Pradeep, a regular worker at Manesar.

Of the 94 employees suspended or dismissed since the start of the standoff earlier in August, 64 workers who did not have any serious charges against them were reinstated in last month’s settlement. The rest, the core of the recent agitation, seem to have left after accepting a profitable termination settlement.

Suresh Gaur, president of the neighbouring Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India union, said“It is true that all office bearers have left the company. But there are active members, including the 64 workers taken back. It may take some time to form a representative body from scratch, but it will happen.” HMSI had been supporting the protesting workers at Maruti Suzuki.

Sonu Gujjar and his 2,000-strong band at Manesar had stopped work thrice since June, severely disrupting production. The labour unrest has been the worst the company has faced in over a decade, resulting in production loss of 74,500 units. Revenue losses were Rs 2,200 crore.

It has been alleged the Gujjar and his 29 comrades were each paid severance packages worth Rs 16 lakh. The amount is well over any settlement scheme as defined by labour laws.

Meanwhile, as was agreed in the settlement, the company is setting up a ‘Grievance Redressal Committee’. The panel will have representatives from the management and the workers. A labour officer from the state government will be a permanent invitee and review proceedings. Maruti Suzuki is also to form a ‘Labour Welfare Committee’, to promote good relations between management and workers.