Tyre Major MRF LTD on Tuesday reopened its Thiruvottiyur manufacturing facility, after more than 60 days of lockout following a dispute between the management and the unions. The managment had accused the workers of “not meeting productivity norms, and indiscipline”.
However, after Tamil Nadu government announced in the Assembly on January 30 that it will takeover the unit if the lockout was not lifted soon, company Chairman K M Mammen had assured Chief Minister M Karunanidhi of reopening the unit yesterday, but did not.
“A notice was put up at the notice board last evening announcing the reopening of the plant today,” sources told PTI.
Following this, about 300 permanent workers and 300 contract workers today entered the factory to report for duty, after the factory was reopened this morning.
D Pandian, president, MRF Employees Union, and CPI’s state secretary, expressed his happiness over the reopening.
“We are very happy. And would like to resolve the issues with the management by holding talks,” he told PTI when asked about the fate of the 28 suspended employees.
Sources said that a union meeting is likely to be held tomorrow to dicuss the issue.
Yesterday, the MRF management had informed the Madras High Court that issues will be sorted out by negotiations.
Counsel for MRF, A L Somaiaji, had informed Justice N Paulvasanthakumar, that all pending issues would be negotiated with the Union and the same will be reported to the court. Source: hindu
