HC issues interim injunction against news channel

The Madras High Court today issued interim injunction against a news channel, restraining it from restructuring salaries to journalists through its December 26 letter.
Justice K B K Vasuki granted the interim injunction while admitting a petition filed by 29 journalists and non- journalists from various parts of the country working in New Generation Media Corporation Limited.
The Judge also issued notice to the Secretary, Labour Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, as well as to the management of the Corporation, returnable by January 21, 2014.
The petitioners said the company decided to launch an English news channel in 2013, pursuant to which they started recruitment at various levels. The company also proposed to have its English news channel operate from Chennai and Delhi with some employees posted at Bangalore and Mumbai.

They submitted that the management is a media establishment engaged in the print and broadcast media, has publications and runs a 24-hour Tamil TV channel 'Puthiya Thalaimurai' and another general entertainment channel 'Puthu Yugam'.
They said there are a total of 752 employees were registered in the Employees Provident Fund Organisation under the name 'Generation Now Media Pvt Ltd'. Though the firm runs various television channels and publications, there is a commonality of usage of resources and information gathered by one channel or publication for use of other channel or publication.

The petitioners said the editor-in-chief and Director (News) called some of them two weeks back and informed them that the management wished to close the channel. They claimed that they had left their employment, shifted residences and joined the firm on its promise of running a premier English News channel.

They contended that the company's decision to close the
channel without obtaining prior government permission was illegal and void, contrary to Section 25-O of the Industrial Disputes Act.
The petitioners said the company's decision to effect a
cut in salaries on the ground of work amounts to lay-off which is illegal under section 25-M of Industrial Disputes Act.
They sought an interim injunction order, restraining the
company from in any way laying off or terminating their services and also restraining the management which wrote to employees on December 26 on restructuring of salaries.