Maruti strike: Normalcy may be restored soon, says AITUC

The 13-day long Maruti Suzuki strike at the Manesar plant might be resolved shortly. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Gurudas Dasgupta Lok Sabha leader and All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) General Secretary said that the management has agreed to take back the 11 sacked workers.

He further said normalcy will be restored, once agreement signed. Don't miss: Maruti strike continues for 13th day; hope for end in sight Below is the verbatim transcript of the interview. Also watch the accompanying video. Q: Has there been a breakthrough in your talks with the Maruti management? Has the management agreed to take back or reinstate the 11 sacked workers? A: It seems so. Q: Is the strike being called off anytime soon? A: With the signing of the agreement, normalcy will be restored. Q: Has the agreement already been signed? A: It is being worked out quietly in Gurgaon. Q: What are the other conditions that you have asked the management to agree with and what conditions has the management agreed to comply with? A: There is just one agreement. All the 11 workers should be taken back. Q: Is that the only demand? A: At the moment. Q: What about the demand of a union which was separate from the union that currently exists? What about that crucial demand? A: Workers have never agreed to join the present union. The agreement has nothing mentioned about the union. Workers are free to register their union. Formation and registration of a union is done by the labour department and not the management. It has nothing to do with the bipartite agreement. Anybody can register the union. Q: We understand that the registration process has already begun. As per the articles of association of this new union, it sorts to invite members outside of Maruti Suzuki to be office bearers and this union should be allowed to have political affiliations, is this true and accurate? A: It is to be considered and decided by the workers and the labour department. It is not for me to comment. It is their choice. Q: Is that a demand or part of the articles of association? A: This is not a demand. The management has nothing to do with it. The registration has to be done by the labour ministry. Q: Did the articles of association for the new union filed with the labour department of the Haryana government say that the union should be allowed to have political affiliations? A: I am not aware of the details. The article of association