Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SB)

Udupi, Nov 7: As many as 300 workers of Suzlon Infrastructure Ltd at Padubidri were on an agitation for the past five days demanding the management to accept the newly formed union’s 15-member committee and withdraw the suspension of 14 workers.

It all began a month ago when the workers’ union held an election to elect a 15-member committee. Out of 350 workers, as many as 300 voted the new committee to power. The election was held by following all legal rules and DLC also approved the new committee.

However, it was alleged that the management was not ready to accept the new committee. It was also alleged that the management held the old committee backed by 50 workers as valid.

"The management says that there are two unions now. But at the time of election, out of the two panels, ours won with the support of 300 workers. So by default, the new committee comes to power," said the workers.

"After electing the new committee, we met the management, but they refused to accept the new committee. Despite several requests and letters, we failed to convince them. Hence, five days ago, we started a protest by wearing black ribbons on our arms. Instead of accepting our demands, the management suspended 14 workers, who all are committee members, from work. Besides suspension, they filed a police case against six committee members,” they said.

"Protesting against this move by the management, we sat on dharna inside the company after work hours. The workers working in two shifts remained inside the company premises and sat on a 'Dharna'. Taking action against the protesting employees yet again, the management stopped food too. When we tried getting food from outside, they stopped it at the gate. Six of our workers fell ill and were admitted to hospital. We will continue protesting and will not leave the company premises until our newly-elected committee is accepted," the workers informed.

The workers also said that the management had deducted 50 percent of the protesting workers’ salaries. "We never stopped work, nor did we protest violently. We only stayed in the company premises after our work hours," they said.

After five days of intense protest, the management and the union arrived at a compromise and the agitation was withdrawn early morning on Tuesday November 7.

According to a worker of Suzlon Infrastructure Ltd, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the management has accepted the newly-formed 15-member committee. They have also withdrawn the suspension of the 14 workers. Regarding salaries, the management has informed the workers that officials from the labour department will hold a meeting with them and a decision will be soon taken on the same.

"Our five-day protest has borne result. We are happy. We will be united like this in future too," he added.