Vishwa Kalyan Kamgar Sanghatana (VKSS), the recognised union at the Chakan plant of Bajaj Auto Limited (BAL), has announced that it would go on an indefinite strike from April 28. Dilip Pawar, the president of the union, has listed three demands - issuance of equity shares of the company to the employees at subsided rates, setting up of a joint committee with union representatives to monitor corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the company, and construction of a museum and statute of Bajaj’s patriach Jamnalal Bajaj at the plant - in his letter to the company. Speaking to Newsline, Pawar said the union has been forced to stop work given the recalcitrant attitude of the management towards addressing the long-standing demands of workers. “The management is not ready to discuss the wage settlement demand of employees. Majority of workers at the plant has not signed the new wage settlement proposed by the management,” he said. Pawar said there are as many as 833 permanent workers at the plant and all of them are part of the union. The union had gone on a 50-day strike last year. In February this year, the union had threatened to go on indefinite hunger strike after disagreement over the wage settlement package proposed by the management. The management had proposed a hike of Rs 10, 000 , which the union rejected. The Chakan plant produces the Pulsar range of motorcycles for the company, which is its most successful product. While the union has approached the industrial tribunal on the wage settlement issue, the management has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court challenging the termination of the wage agreement by the union. The hearing on the case is scheduled for April 23 and the industrial tribunal is to hear the case on April 25. Kailash Zanzari, Vice-President, motorcycle business, BAL, termed the threat by the union as unreasonable. “Last year, during our talks it was made clear that the management will not issue any equity shares and our stand still remains the same,” he said. Zanzari accused the union of putting pressure on workers and not allowing them to sign the new wage agreement. “Around 30 per cent of workers have accepted the new wage settlement,” he said. By not allowing employees to accept the new wage agreement, the union is causing losses to the tune of Rs 80,000 to each employee, he added. Asked if the management has opened any channels of communication after receiving the strike threat, he replied in negative. On the issue of shifting the production to Aurangabad, Zanzari said the management is equipped to do the same in a very short time if need be. However, Pawar said it was not possible for the company to shift base to Aurangabad. “Aurangabad plant does not have trained manpower to manufacture motorcycles,” he added. When asked about the other two issues raised by the union, Zanzari said it was unacceptable as reasons for going on strike. “The company is following norms set by the Companies Act. In case of museums and statues, we will decide when to have them and where,” he said.
