The Hindu Business Line : Chittivalasa jute mill lockout continues

Visakhapatnam, Nov. 5 The lockout in the Chittivalasa jute mill at Tagarapuvalasa in Visakhapatnam district is continuing for more than six months and there seems to be no breakthrough in sight. The composite mill was locked out on April 20, when the unions refused the proposal of the management to run only two shifts instead of the usual three, citing power problems. Since then, several rounds of talks have been held with no result.

The Andhra Pradesh Government issued a GO prohibiting the lockout and the management moved the AP High Court. A stay was obtained. Again, the management and the unions have been holding talks for the past one month or so, but to no avail.

According to Mr M. Kalidas, Senior Vice-President (HR), who is participating in the talks, the management has made it clear to the workers that “the economic viability of operations” should be ensured and the unions should co-operate with the management.

Shift reduction

To a question whether the management was willing to operate three shifts, as on April 20, when the mill was locked out, he said the management had no problem with operating three shifts at present.

“But, we have made it clear to the unions that, if necessary, they should agree to rationalisation of production. They should not object to any proposal to reduce the number of shifts in future, if the situation warrants it,” he said.

He said the unions had submitted a fresh charter of demands and the management was willing to concede some of them.

“We hope the unions will see reason and help in bringing the mill back on track,” he said.

The mill, with 6,000 workers, has a capacity of 100 tonnes a day. The recognised union is affiliated to the INTUC.

Another round of talks is scheduled for Friday.

More Stories on : Trade & Labour Unions | Jute | Andhra Pradesh

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