Port workers' strike withdrawn

Port workers, who had threatened to go on an indefinite strike across 12 major ports of the country from midnight today, decided to withdraw the strike, after the Indian Ports Association (IPA) agreed to pay House Rent Allowance (HRA) from January 1, 2007. It was agreed that all other allowances would be paid with effect from January 1, 2008.

G M Krishnamurthy, general secretary, Madras Port Trust Employees Union told Business Standard that five recognised federations, representing around 70,000 workers across the 12 ports, had called for a nationwide indefinite strike from January 4, 2010.

The unions wanted the management of the 12 ports to grant 23 per cent fitment amount to port and dock workers with effect from January 1, 2007, whereas IPA, which represented the major ports of the country, was offering fitment with effect from January 1, 2009. “We could not loose our fitment for two years, it was not acceptable,” he added.

Earlier, this was not agreed by the management of the ports. “It was unfortunate that despite lapse of three long years, the settlement on the wage and service conditions could not be reached in the Bipartite Wage Negotiation Committee (BWNC),” he said.

“IPA (had) rejected the reasonable demands of port and dock workers by refusing to grant arrears and allowances, Krishnamurthy said.

After the failure of talks, the unions had issued a strike notice, saying they would go on an indefinite strike from January 4, 2010.

“Today, (the) shipping secretary called the two sides for a dialogue. IPA agreed to pay HRA from January 1, 2007, and all (other) allowances with effect from January 1, 2008, following which the strike was withdrawn,” Krishnamurthy said.