Labour issues seem to have a recurrent relationship with Suzuki's domestic operations. Its motorcycle plant in Gurgaon has now run into labour-related dispute, five months after its Manesar–based Maruti Suzuki car operations ended its own troubles.

Three workers from Suzuki Motorcycle, including the General Secretary and Vice-President of the plant union, were suspended on Friday. This followed an altercation with a senior member of the management on Wednesday over a “production incentive scheme”.

“Discussions were going on with the (Haryana) Labour Department since morning and will continue tomorrow. There was a strong police presence inside the plant today,” a worker told Business Line .

The workers are demanding a variable incentive scheme as a portion of the earnings from each two-wheeler sold by the company.

This was to be reviewed in March, based on a wage settlement agreement in July 2011, another worker said.

A company official said, “The incentive negotiations were on when some union leaders resorted to strong-arm tactics with the human resources head. This also resulted in lower production and affected quality levels. So the decision to suspend them was taken as a disciplinary measure.”

Though workers decided to not stop work over the dispute, a collective call was taken to go on a “hunger strike” to express disappointment with the management.

Union members from three other Suzuki operations — Maruti's Gurgaon and Manesar plant, and Suzuki Powertrain — also reportedly met to discuss the future course of action.

It may be recalled that last year's labour dispute at Maruti Suzuki had also spread to Suzuki Motorcycle and Suzuki Powertrain units.

> roudra.b@thehindu.co.in

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