Chennai Container Terminal hurls back

The Chennai Container Terminal Private Limited (CCT) has brought in 10 crane operators from the Jawaharlal Nehru Port-located Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (NSICT) to counter the go-slow tactics adopted by its workforce.

It may be recalled that the Madras High Court, had on February 16, 2005, granted an interim injunction restraining the workmen from resorting to go-slow tactics or going on strike.

According to a company release, the CCT workmen are continuing work at a slow pace affecting the export and import trade at Chennai.

The crane operators from NSICT (another P&O Ports-managed terminal) were prevented from commencing duty by the workmen on 'go slow'. Fifteen workmen, who were attempting to disrupt the operations, were locked out by the CCT management on February 20, 2005.

At present, 21 crane operators from NSICT and Mundra International Container Terminal (MICT) located at the Gujarat Port are assisting operations at CCT. As permitted by the Madras High Court, CCT is arranging contract labour who are being trained in both yard and yard crane (RTG) operations.

Workers from other P&O-managed terminals have been brought in after workers have resorted to go-slow tactics after four of the workers from CCT were suspended pending enquiry on February 12.

They had disrupted a management meeting that had been convened by the CCT CEO, Ennarasu Karunesan. These four workers have since refused to submit to the necessary disciplinary procedures that have been provisioned by law.

The CCT workers have violated six times the provisions of the long term settlement signed on August 2, 2004 before the Regional Labour Commission, the union had agreed not to resort to any go slow or strike tactics.