Bajaj issues status report of strike at Chakan plant

Team OD Updated: July 18, 2013, 02:05 PM IST

July 17, 2013

PRESS NOTE ON BAL CHAKAN STRIKE FROM 25^th JUNE, 2013

Part production of Pulsar has been shifted from Chakan to Waluj

Deliberate production loss started from October, 2012. There was 20% less production in one particular shift. However, in other shift production was normal.

Counseling of employees at individual level was done and various meetings with Union were held at plant level and with central leadership for improvement.

In view of no improvement in production and indulgence of employees in acts of indiscipline, first suspension pending enquiry was done on 25^th October, 2013.

There was no improvement and further deterioration in production continued.

Again meetings were held with union on 24^th Nov. 2012, 1^st Dec. 2012, 9^th Jan. 2013 & 8^th Feb, 2013 were conducted for improvement.

Mr. Dilip Pawar (Union President) did not find time has not visited plant from last 1 year to resolve the issue.

On 2^nd March, 2013 the union was informed about the progress of survey and willingness of the management to initiate the process of wage review, subject to condition that normal production & discipline should be restored.

However, the Union has unilaterally terminated the settlement on 9^th March, 2013 itself. The union has submitted a fresh Charter of Demands (COD). The Termination of settlement is unlawful as per the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The Company has filed a case in Industrial Court , Pune against unlawful action of the Union.

Subsequently meetings were also held on 20^th May and 27^th May, 2013, 4^th June, 2013 & 20^th June, 2013 with Union representatives.

Notice of Stoppage was given by Union on 14^th June, 2013 demanding 500 shares @ Rs. 1/- for all employees.

The date of strike mentioned in the letter was 28^th June, 2013. However, the strike commenced with effect from 25^th June, 2013. The Company has filed a case for declaring the strike as illegal in Labour Court, Pune.

To enforce the strike intimidation and violence against the employees willing to attend work has continued. So far 23 complaints have been lodged in various Police Stations and 15 employees have been arrested.

Total 21 employees have so far been suspended pending enquiry.

There has been continuous improvement in employees attendance at Chakan from 25^th June, 2013 onwards.

Part production of Pulsar is shifted to Waluj Plant. On 15.07.2013, 1262 Pulsar vehicles were produced at Waluj.

Subsequent to strike there have been three meetings with Union. However, the union has always been unreasonable during these meetings . (One at Chakan Police Station on 28^th June, 2013 and two meetings in the Office of Dy. Labour Commissioner on 10^th & 12^th July, 2013 respectively). Hence not much progress has happened in our talks.

Violence Continues :

1) On 14^th July, 2013, 4 Akurdi employees were assaulted by 8 unknown persons near Mega Mart, Dapodi.

2) On 14^th July, 2013, three Akurdi employees were assaulted by unknown persons near Khandoba Mandir, Akurdi.

3) On 14^th July, 2013, Two Chakan Trainees were threatened and thrashed in Yamuna Nagar area.

4) On 15^th July, 2013, Mr. Ramchandra Jadhav was threatened and assaulted in Talegaon. FIR is lodged at Talegaon Police Station against Mr. Vaibhav Kumbhar and Shivaji Pawar.

Our road map for resolution of the issue is as under :

a) Company will not agree to allotment of shares (ESOPs) to workers.

b) Production and discipline has to be restored to normal before meaningful dialogue can take place.

c) Suspension pending enquiry cases will be reviewed by the management and only those cases in which misconduct is not serious or past record of employee is good will be taken back provided they accept their mistakes in writing . In all others cases, the final decision will be taken based on findings in domestic enquiry

d) Management is always keen on timely completion of salary review process and is eager to conclude the process at the earliest.