Maruti plant lockout to continue; AITUC hints at shutdown

Following violent clashes between the management and workers at Maruti's Manesar plant, the company informed that the factory will remain closed on Thursday. While one person has died due to burn injuries, more than 80 people were injured during the scuffle.

In an interview with CNBC-TV18, VL Sachdeva, Head of AITUC said that the unfortunate incident could have been avoided if the management had shown some sensibility. Referrring to it as the 'high-handedness' of the management, Sachdeva said the union was chosen by Maruti and therefore, such a situation is really surprising.
The lockout may also continue for sometime, until the labour department intervenes, he added. Looking at the recurring troubles at this particular factory, he believes it may lead to a shutdown. Below is the edited transcript of the interview on CNBC-TV18. Q: Could you update us on the situation from the point of view of the workers. Will they be striking work for a definite period? What is their stance right now?
A: First of all we are worried with the unfortunate incident of violence which has taken place. The management could have resolved the small issue with great sensibility. But, unfortunately that was not done and the whole thing turned violent and some workers as well as management executives got injured.
It is reported that one of the executives has also been charred to death, which is quite unfortunate because this incident of unrest has been going on for the last one year in Maruti's factory. This is the fourth incident. We are surprised because this time the management had a union of their own choice. The union was registered with the consent of the management and we all thought that maybe good relations are going on between the management and union.
But yesterday's incident has shown the high-handedness of Maruti management, to dictate terms on the workers. That is quite unfortunate because it is not going to restore peace. Now, the factory is closed and more than 80 workers have been arrested. Workers as well as executives are admitted in the hospital.
It will take quite a long time to bring about normalcy. Now the labour department should intervene effectively to bring about peace so that normalcy returns and production starts.
_PAGEBREAK_ Q: Can you give us some details on how long this strike might last and what kind of dialogue you have opened up with the management?
A: It is very difficult to predict at this point of time as to how long the strike will continue. It's not a strike. It is the management, with the help of police threw the workers out and in a way it's an undeclared lockout. It all depends when the labour department intervenes, maybe intervention has to come at the level of the chief minister because earlier also he has been quite effective and the parties were brought back on the negotiating table.
I think it will take quite some time because when these workers were arrested, the leaders have also been arrested. So one has to make the atmosphere conducive for such a talk. It may go on for some days. But, in any case, we from the trade union are also trying to look into the matter and trying to bring about some kind of discussion. Q: Is there any discussion planned with the Maruti management today to try and defuse this situation?
A: As far as my information goes, there are no discussions planned for today. Q: Will operations conduct as normal for the Gurgaon plant because until now things are functioning normally for the Gurgaon plant but any indication from the workers' union side on whether or not they plan to strike work there as well?
A: There is a different union at Gurgaon plant. The leadership is quite old and mature. But unfortunately in the Manesar plant, trouble has been going on for the last one year. The situation is not normal. As per my information the plant is shutdown.