Mico strike enters fifth day, talks inconclusive

With the workers' strike at Motor Industries Corporation (Mico) entering fifth day today - as no settlement could be reached even after a long meeting between the management and workers representatives yesterday - the company has sought appointment of a conciliator.

The management has sent an application to the acting deputy labour commissioner F Tadvi in this regard. An another meeting between the two parties has been scheduled on November 21 on the directive of labour minister Ganesh Naik.

"The workers have continued the strike though negotiations are going on. Talks in such an atmosphere is not possible. We are ready to settle the issue if the workers call off strike," said J M Hegade, general manager (commercial) of the company.

Tadvi said both the management and the workers have hardened their stand. "The management has offered an increment of Rs 3,000 with a demand of enhancement of productivity by 5 to 15 per cent in various sections," he added.

"Though the management has offered an increment of Rs 3,000, basic increment will be only Rs 1,700 and the rest is based on a productivity increase of 15 per cent. On the other hand, the workers are ready for a 7 per cent productivity increase in all sections excluding tool room, DSLA and W716. But their demand for Rs 4,500 increment remains. The workers say that enhancement of productivity in the 3 sections is not possible at all," Tadvi said.

According to sources, Mico is suffering a loss of Rs 1.3 crore per day due to the strike and has lost around Rs 6 crore in the last five days. Besides, the business transactions of 400 vendors have also been badly affected.

While JM Hegade, R G Kulkarni (divisional manager) and Tapade, manager, personnel & industrial relations lead the management team at the talks, Dagadu Patil, president, Mico Workers' Union, Mangesh Lahamage, vice-president and Sunil Malusare, general secretary represented the workers.