MRF declares lockout at Vadavathoor plant

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posted on 13 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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KOTTAYAM: The MRF tyre-manufacturing unit at Vadavathoor, near here, has been placed on a lockout. The abrupt decision of the mana..

KOTTAYAM: The MRF tyre-manufacturing unit at Vadavathoor, near here, has been placed on a lockout. The abrupt decision of the management came amidst the ongoing strike by the INTUC union. Over 1,700 workers are employed in the unit.
The INTUC union has been on an agitation for the past five days over anomalies in crew filling, carried out after a long span of over a decade. The union was demanding reinstatement of a sacked trainee and revoking the suspension of three other employees, including the unit TU leader, who were targeted for the latter's unruly behaviour.In view of the strike and noncooperation of the INTUCaligned employees, the management had declared a layoff three days ago. The lockout notice has been pasted in front of the company. The employees who were caught unawares could see only chained gates when they arrived for the early morning shift on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is the patron of the INTUC union, Excise Minister K Babu is the president and Kunju Illampally is the general secretary. INTUC claims around 25 per cent of strength of the permanent employees under its fold. CITU tops in the strength of unions in the company.

Meanwhile, District Labour Officer Rajamma Chacko has been suspended, with the charge that she failed to apprise the top authorities of the strike time to time.

The proposed meet was called off and postponed to Thursday, with the venue for the conciliation talks being shifted to Kochi, at the Regional Joint Labour Commissioner's office.