Burn Standard declares suspension of work; Mamata says resume

The management of PSU rail engine maker Burn Standard & Company today declared suspension of work at its Howrah unit after the alleged assault of a senior managerial staff by some laid-off workers even as West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee denied any such incidents occurred.

"We have declared suspension of work at the Howrah unit after the assault on the GM of the factory by a section of contractual workers affiliated to INTTUC last evening," company DGM (Personnel and Administration) G H Nag told PTI. A section of laid-off contractual workers were involved in the alleged assault.

The management had also filed an FIR with the local police station at Howrah against five persons.

Commenting on the incident, Banerjee told reporters "There was no incident of any assault, there was argument. I cross-checked from three sources. If 176 persons were suddenly retrenched. They have their livelihood. They went to talk (to the management). But I heard they were asked to get out."

"I asked the chief secretary to talk to the Burn Standard MD. It is not correct to declare suspension of work. It should be withdrawn. I want the matter to be settled peacefully. If both sides show flexibility, it will be easier to settle it," she said.

Banerjee also said that she had saved Burn and Braithwaite companies during her tenure as the Railways Minister. She, however, said that she did not support any violence.

"There is no credit in it. If there is any problem, discussion should be held with a cool mind." The company DGM said trouble started brewing at the Howrah unit when the management decided to lay off 175 contractual workers in December 2013 following fall in wagon prices. The workers were told that they would be reinstated once the situation improved, he added.