Bosch management asks workers to end "illegal" strike

German auto components major Bosch today asked the workers' union to call off its indefinite "illegal" strike at its plant here, which entered the third month, and conclude the wage settlement at the earliest.
The company said it is taking all necessary measures to conclude the wage negotiation discussions with the Union and would continue with its "fair and firm" approach.
In the last two months, it said, intensive wage discussions had been held at various levels including intervention of concerned government departments and state government authorities.
The management asked Workmen Union of Bosch Ltd to call off the strike and restore normalcy in the larger interest of the workmen, the company and the Indian automotive industry.

The Union declared a strike, which the company has declared illegal, starting from the first shift of September 16. But the strike has continued till date despite the State Government's prohibitory order of October 10, Bosch said.
According to Bosch, despite the challenging business situation, the company has put forth its best wage and benefits offer to the Bangalore plant Workmen Union and it is one of the best paymasters in the manufacturing industry.

With the proposed wage offer, the current cost to company (CTC) of an average workman will increase from Rs. 64000/ month to upward of Rs. 85000/ month for 7 to 7.5 hours of work in an 8 hours shift, Bosch said in a release.

Considering the indexing(inflation), the proposed CTC will further increase substantially, it said, adding, this revised wage offer will retain the Bosch Workmen compensation as one of the best in the manufacturing industry.
The Bangalore Bosch plant has approximately 370 temporary and around 2500 permanent workmen. Despite the fact that in future, the Company is likely to have excess manpower, it has offered to confirm 100 of the 370 temporary workmen, it said.
Presently, it said, the Bangalore plant has by far the lowest productivity amongst the Bosch plants in India.