Workers of Tata to take out rally in Sanand today

Labour department hopeful that a meeting due on Monday might resolve strike issue

Even as the workers' union got recognised at Tata Motors’ Sanand plant and talks continued between the two parties due to the mediation by the state labour department, the Sanand industrial estate is in for some action on Saturday as workers along with representatives of farmer associations and trade unions plan to take out a rally.

Around 400 workers, representatives of 22 trade unions, farmers from nearby villages and farmers associations would congregate at Gate No 2 of the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation industrial estate at Sanand, opposite the Chharodi railway station. While labour department officials said workers did not have permission to take out the rally, workers said they were trying to get permission from the police.

Around 1,000 people are expected to be a part of the demonstration. Ashok Panjabi, a labour rights activist and senior Congress leader, is also likely to be present. On Thursday, the labour department had approved a workers’ union named Bharatiya Kamdar Ekta Sangh Sanand (BKSS). This union has representation from 450 permanent workers of the company.

Representatives of the union and Tata Motors’ officials met at the deputy labour commissioner (DLC)’s office on Friday.

However, no resolution was reached. Tata Motors stated: “The meeting concluded with the understanding the Workmen Committee will file on Saturday the authorisation that shows at least 70 per cent of the striking workmen authorised this committee for future negotiations, with a meeting planned for next week (Monday).”

However, Umesh Rathod, secretary of BKSS, alleged the company was trying to buy time and divert attention from the main issue - suspension of workers. “One of our demands has been met, that of forming a union. The other demand, which is the main demand, is still unmet. We are willing to call off the strike and join back if the suspended workers are re-instated.”

M S Patel, assistant labour commissioner of Ahmedabad, sounded hopeful that a final resolution would be reached at the Monday meeting.

Around 400 permanent workers have been on strike since February 22 at Tata Motors Sanand plant demanding that 28 suspended workers be re-instated.