Strike at Bajaj Auto Chakan plant ends

The 50-day-old strike at two- and three-wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto's Chakan plant was called off Tuesday, just hours after the company extended the deadline for ending the impasse to Aug 16, failing which the company would have shifted 50 percent of the factory's production to its other facilities.

"I am very pleased that the VKKS union has unconditionally called off their strike at Chakan. I am certain that the vast majority of the workmen never supported the union's stand," said Rajiv Bajaj, managing director.

The labour unrest and stoppage of work since June 25 had caused a loss in sales of 20,000 Pulsars. The production at Chakan plant is around 1,700 motorcycles per day which are mostly Pulsar-brand bikes.

The workers had been demanding issuance of company shares and wage hike. The company had planned to shift 50 percent of Chakan's production to its other facilities located at Aurangabad and Pantnagar, had the strike continued, resulting in job losses.

According to Bajaj, the management will sympathetically consider the case of 22 workmen, who were suspended pending enquiry.

"On behalf of the management I assure all the 22 workmen who are suspended pending enquiry that their cases will be considered objectively and sympathetically in the collective interest of all stakeholders," Bajaj added.

Around 700 employees, including unionised workmen, trainees, apprentices, staff were reporting for work during the strike period.