Kochi port staff strike enters 2nd day

Kochi port authorities sought the help of the Indian Navy for outward movement of two container cargo vessels from the port as the strike by a section of the employees entered the second day today.

Port chairman N Ramachandran told reporters that alternate arrangements were being made to ensure that port activities were not affected due to the strike. "We will face the strike," he said.

Port operations were continuing and had not been hit today due to the strike, he said, adding inward and outward movement of vessels were going on unaffected.

The Cochin Port Staff Association (CPSA) is on strike since yesterday protesting the suspension of five employees. They were suspended for allegedly indulging in union activities during office hours.

CPSA said it had launched the lightning strike against the "denial" of trade union rights at the port. They alleged that port auhtorities were not respecting trade union laws.