The Hindu Business Line : Strike by container crew at Kochi Port called off

Status quo
The decision of the DP World authorities to ban entry of cleaners in the trailers from Wednesday has also been put on hold following the discussions.

Kochi May 15 The four-day old strike called by container trailer crew at Cochin Port Trust was called off on Tuesday afternoon following the intervention of senior port officials on the issue.

The Port Secretary, Mr Cyril C. George, held discussions with DP World officials, trade unions leaders and striking workers, following which the strike was withdrawn. Following that normalcy returned to the port.

The decision of the DP World authorities to ban entry of cleaners in the trailers from Wednesday has also been put on hold following the discussions.

It was decided at the meeting that the matter would be discussed further with all concerned and until that time status quo will continue in the terminal.

However, sources in the trade unions pointed out that there was no entry restrictions for container trailer crew even in the DP World operated container terminals like Chennai and JNPT, where most of the container traffic takes place in the country.

The container crew went on a flash strike from Friday in protest against the ban on a lorry driver from entering the wharf for seven days for violating discipline in the terminal.