M&M workers call off stir at Nashik plant

The 'tools down' agitation at auto major Mahindra & Mahindra's (M&M) plant here was called off today after the management agreed to reinstate two office-bearers of the employees union and finalise on wage hike agreement by April 15, authorities said.
Around 3,000 workers resorted to 'tools down' protest on Tuesday demanding revocation of suspension of M&M Employees Union general secretary Praveen Shinde and vice-president Amol Sonawane.
"Workers have called off the strike and will resume the duty in the evening shift following a meeting between representatives of the management and the union held at the deputy labour commissioner's office here", Deputy Labour Commissioner R S Jadhav and M&M General Manager (HR) Anil Godbole told reporters after emerging from the meeting that lasted for more than five hours.

Mahindra produces Scorpio, Bolero and Xylo models of SUVs and Verito (sedan) at its Nashik-based manufacturing facility.
"The (Mahindra) management has agreed to revoke suspension of Union office-bearers Shinde and Sonawane and consider renewal of the wage hike agreement by April 15", said Union president Shirish Bhavsar.
Shinde and Sonawane were placed under suspension by the management allegedly for exhorting workers to stop work till their demands are met.

The duo who were on hunger strike since their suspension called it off today.
"Our Union has also decided against going on strike from March 11", Sonawane said.
According to a statement by the Mahindra and Mahindra earlier in the day, the stir by employees, started on March 5, resulted in a production loss of around 500 vehicles till date.

The production loss is unlikely to have any immediate impact on sales as the company already has three weeks' stock in the pipeline, the statement said.