The stand-off between the striking Tata Motors workers and the management continued on Friday as the consultation meeting in presence of the Labour Department officials remained inconclusive.
“We had extensive discussions for about four hours with the representatives of the striking workers and the management. But no breakthrough in the stand-off. The strike continues as of now," said MS Patel, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Ahmedabad Zone.
He also maintained that one more meeting has been scheduled for Monday, when the discussions will be taken up forward. “Since, their union has been registered, these seven representatives have been asked to prove that they have the support of at least 70 per cent of the workers, whom they wish to represent. They will do it by Saturday, so we have convened another meeting on Monday," said Patel.
About 400 workers have been striking at Tata Motors' Nano plant in Sanand since February 22.
“The company is deliberately raising unnecessary issues and delaying the resolution of strike. “We wanted to get back to work from Saturday, but they now raised new demand and asked us to bring the resolutions showing our appointment as the leaders for these workers. So we have decided to continue with the strike and stage protest at the company gates in Sanand," said Harpal Jhala, a striking worker and a committee member of the union.
Meanwhile, the Tata Motors Spokesperson stated, "Tata Motors thanks the DLC Ahmedabad for mediating when he called the meeting with the worker representatives to resolve this illegal strike.
The meeting concluded with the understanding that the adhoc Workmen Committee will submit tomorrow the authorisation that clearly shows at least 70 per cent of the striking workmen authorised this committee for future negotiations, with a meeting planned for next week.
“Notably, the Gujarat government had given official recognition to the workers' union -Bharatiya Kamdar Ekta Sangh, Sanand at the Tata Motors Sanand plant. Till now, there was no official union.
“The union has about 450 members, which is represented by seven worker leaders. Congress leader and labour rights activist, Ashok Panjabi mentioned that permission has been sought from the government to stage a protest rally at Sanand GIDC.
"Even if they do not grant the permission, we will continue with our protest rally," he added.
According to Panjabi, several other union members from All India Trade Union Congress, Centre of Indian Trade Unions and Indian National Trade Union Congress will accompany the Tata Motors workers to protest at the Nano plant on Saturday.