Toyota Kirloskar to lift lockout

Firm asks workers to sign undertaking; refuses to revoke suspension of 17

Toyota Kirloskar Motor  (TKM) Private Limited on Thursday agreed to lift the lockout at its car manufacturing plants at Bidadi, about 35 km from here, subject to conditions, with effect from Monday (March 24).

The lockout was declared on Sunday, following the failure of wage negotiation talks between the management and Toyota Kirloskar Motor Employees Union (TKMEU).

The management agreed to start operations, after the joint labour commissioner here brokered peace between the warring sides. “The management has agreed to lift the lockout from March 24. However, they have put some conditions that include signing of an undertaking by the employees before they walk in for the work. We will consult our legal advisor and also discuss with our members at the general body meeting on Saturday and take a decision,” said R Satish, general secretary, TKMEU.

He said the conditions were very harsh and interests of the employees would be harmed. However, whatever the general body would decide, it would be communicated to the management, he said.

“We have been negotiating with the company for the last 10 months for revising the wages of employees. The company is not responding to our demands properly. They are also scaring us by spreading news about suspension of some workers,” Satish said. The management refused to comment.

“The main issue in today’s discussion was on ending the lockout. The employees were concerned about the suspension of 17 employees and they insisted on revocation of their suspension. The management did not agree for that demand,” said Jinkalapaa, additional labour commissioner.

He said the management had also demanded a simple undertaking from the employees, which was already there in their standing orders. The company wants to ensure strict enforcement of discipline from the workers. “Once the factory restarts, the management will take up the issue of wage revision separately,” he said.