Port workers withdraw strike

Port and dock workers’ unions have withdrawn their threat of indefinite strike from September 15 after a government-brokered agreement on pay with their managements.

Five federations, across the 12 major ports, reached a consensus with their employers on a 23 per cent hike over basic pay, to take effect for a five-year period beginning January 1, 2007.

The five unions include Water Transporters Workers Federation, All India Port and Dock Workers Federation, All India Port and Dock Workers Federation (W), Port Dock and Water Front Workers Federation and Indian National Port and Dock Workers Federation.

Water Transporters Workers Federation, general secretary, T Narendra Rao, said the strike was withdrawn after the settlement came during a meeting, which was chaired by Shipping Minister GK Vasan along with officials of the Indian Ports Association.

The wage revision would benefit more than 50,000 workers, who were pressing for a 34 per cent hike compared with 18 percent offered by the IPA.

“We have not entered into a settlement agreement, the government agreed in-principle. The proposed revision would come into effect from January 1, 2007, along with arrears of around Rs 340 crore,” he said. The last wage settlement agreement was entered in 1997.