Strike at Tata Motors' Sanand plant ends

Company and workers reach a consensus whereby 13 of the 26 suspended workers would be taken back; enquiry committee will submit report in 4-6 months

The month-long strike at Tata Motors' Sanand plant finally came to an end on Tuesday with workers and management reaching a consensus over the issue of suspended workers. Work will resume from Wednesday.

After several rounds of talks failed between the workers and the management, a meeting with state labour secretary Sanjay Prasad on Tuesday proved conclusive.

The company has agreed to take back 13 suspended workers from the group of 26, the others too said they would join back at the earliest.

“The remaining 13 workers would continue to get an allowance (about 75 per cent of their salary) during the time an independent committee conducted its enquiry into the suspension. The committee is expected to submit its report within four-six months. As for the two workers who were suspended in December, the enquiry is complete and a decision would be taken within a week,” said M S Patel, assistant labour commissioner of Ahmedabad.

Umesh Rathod, a striking worker, said: "We would sit with the human resources officials on Wednesday to decide which 13 workers would be joining back. We have also requested the company to not take action against any worker who fails to join back on Wednesday, as many are out of town for Holi,” he said. The company has agreed, he added.

Around 422 permanent workers had gone on strike at Sanand from February 22, demanding the re-instatement of 28 suspended workers. Two workers were suspended on December 16, 2015 on grounds of indiscipline.

The workers union named Bharatiya Kamdar Ekta Sangh Sanand (BKSS) was recognised by the labour department on March 17.

Tata Motors said over e-mail that the workmen will call off the strike and restore normalcy and operate as per productivity, quality, discipline & safety requirements.

It added, "The enquiry of two workmen suspended in December 2015 has been completed and the company will initiate actions at the earliest on their submission of the reply to the second show-cause."

HISTORY OF THE DISPUTE

• Dec 16,’15 Tata Motors suspends two workers at Sanand plant for indiscipline
   
• Feb 22,’16 Workers protest demanding enquiry re-instatement of those suspended
   
• Feb 22,’16 Company suspends another 26 workers
   
• Feb 25,‘16 Workers, management meet at assistant labour commissioner's office, talks fail
  

 

Mar 12,’16 22 Trade Unions in state extend support to workers
 

Mar 14,’16 State government expedites work on recognising union
 

Mar 17,’16  Bharatiya Kamdar Ekta Sangh Sanand (BKSS) is recognised by labour dept
 

Mar 22,’16 Workers and Tata Motors reach agreement over issues

Source: Workers, labour department officials