The Hindu Business Line : No headway in talks over MTR Foods lockout

Bangalore May 10 The talks between the MTR Foods management and its workers union made no headway on Thursday too with both parties sticking to their stand. While the management wants the workers to give an individual undertaking assuring "good conduct" before the company revokes the lockout at its Bangalore factory, the workers have refused to do so.

The workers now hope the State Government will intervene and issue an order to lift the lockout. Mr G.R. Shivashankar, President of the MTR Foods employees' union, said: "The Deputy Labour Commissioner has said he would refer the matter to the Government. It is up to them now."

The talks, which began on Monday, are not likely to continue further.

During negotiations, the workers demanded lifting of the lockout. They also made a representation to the labour commissioner, seeking the Government's intervention. But the management wants its workers to first give a written undertaking that they will not indulge in any activity that would disrupt the company's functioning. The union feels an undertaking is unnecessary.

Said Mr Shivashankar, "Whatever decision is arrived at after the talks is binding on us. What is the need to sign an individual undertaking?"

According to an MTR official, the company also wanted a written representation from the workers on the salary-related demands. He said there had been no "clear request" from the workers so far on any specific demands.

Mr Shivashankar said it is "difficult to quantify our demands" as each worker could have different requirements. Also, it could be seen as a violation of the agreement signed between the management and workers in 2005. "We have left it to the management to decide on the quantum of increase. We are acceptable to that," he said.

MTR Foods had declared a lockout at its factory in Bommasandra on May 4 after it felt workers were adopting `go-slow' tactics. This followed a demand by workers for salary matching MNC standards, as the company had been taken over by the Norway-based Orkla. The management, however, did not find the workers' demand acceptable.

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