Madras HC restrains workers union of Neyveli Lignite to go on strike

Workers have threatened to go on indefinite strike from July over wage settlement

The Madras High Court has restrained three workers unions in Neyveli Lignite Corporation from going for an indefinite strike. The order was issued after the management approached the Court against the plans of the unions, including two major unions which are negotiating with the management for wage settlement, to go for strike from July 2, 2015.

NLC has filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking direction restraining NLC Workers Progressive Union (DMK's labour union) and NLC Anna Workers and Staff Union (AIADMK's labour union) from proceeding with the illegal strike or conducting agitation in or near the company and to issue an ad-interim injunction to the effect.

F B Benjamin George, counsel appearing for NLC stated that the conciliation officer has restrained the Unions from going for indefinite illegal strike.

In a petition the company said that it is in public interest that a public utility service company like NLC, is not unjustly or illegally prevented from functioning normally owing to the illegal acts of few Unions/Associations. The company also said that the Unions have acted contrary to law and has decided their intention to do further acts in violation of law, it is just and permissible to issue a Write of Mandamus as prayed in the petition.

NLC has three thermal power stations which feeds 3000 MW and the power generated by these stations are shared between the other states in the Southern Region.