The Hindu Business Line : Flash strike affects Kochi port operations

Flash strikes seem to be the order of the day as far as the Kochi port is concerned. In a span of 10 days, there has been yet another strike in the port since Tuesday evening that had hampered the entire port operations.

The trade unions resorted to strike in protest against the refusal of the Terminal Operator DP World to book labourers for handling ICD containers, which had come to Kochi by rail.

The workers also went on a strike on the same issue recently and the conciliatory talks held by the Regional Labour Commissioner in this regard remained inconclusive.

The trade unions took the stand that it is in violation of the agreement reached between the port management and the trade unions in 1984 when ICD containers were brought to Kochi.

The unions were not informed of any amendment in the agreement when carriers with automatic twist-lock system were allowed in Kochi, they said.

Interpretation

However, the DP World officials said that the unions are interpreting the 1984 agreement which clearly stipulates for hooking and unhooking of containers from rail wagons.

There is no need to book workers for unlocking the rakes from ICD containers as all the ICD carriers were fitted with automatic twist-lock system that needed no man power.

This was clearly mentioned at the conciliatory meeting convened by RLC and the company also informed that it would book gangs if there is work, the officials added.

Bulk vessel operation

The strike has also affected the cargo handling operations in other bulk vessels as the gangs engaged there extended moral support to the strike.

However, in the container terminal, it has affected only the ICD rail yard.

The workers are not delivering any containers from the rail rake and this would result in payment of heavy demurrage by the terminal operator to the Railways.

A container vessel had anchored in the berth on Wednesday afternoon for loading and unloading of containers. Describing the situation as unfortunate, the Port Trust Chairman, Mr N. Ramachandran, said that the trade unions had resorted to strike without giving sufficient notice to the management.

Public utility

The port sector is a public utility service and flash strikes are banned in the sector.

The crisis in the port will be further aggravated once the SBM of Kochi Refineries is commissioned shortly, he said.

Meanwhile, the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has sought the intervention of the Chief Minister to ensure trouble-free working of the port as it plays a significant role in the international trade.

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