CHENNAI/CUDDALORE:The tripartite talks between the representatives of trade unions and the NLC management held here on Wednesday ended in failure. Following the failure of the talks, the trade unions have decided to intensify the ongoing strike.
Emerging out the talks held at the office of the Central Assistant Labour Commissioner, trade union representatives told the media that the agitation would be intensified in consultation with all unions. The NLC workers are on strike since the night of July 20.
Trade union leaders said the NLC management had refused to accept the five-point charter of demands put forth by the workers. The earlier wage agreement has come to an end on December 31, 2011 and a fresh accord has to be signed.
For this, more than 20 rounds of talks have been held and no agreement had been reached. As such, workers are striking work for the past three days. One of their key demand is a 24 per cent wage hike but, the management had agreed for only 10 per cent hike.
No Power Cut
The strike of the NLC workers demanding wage revision settlement entered the third day on Wednesday. But, an NLC source claimed there won’t be any disruption in power generation and work is on as usual.
The regular employees’ unions apparently failed to win the support of majority of the contract workers as more than 75 per cent of the contract workforce reported for duty on Wednesday.
AN NLC source said the strike has not affected the power production adversely and the situation will remain the same for the next few days. “The executives and contract workers are working for extra hours. At Neyveli, thermal power stations are generating 2,380 MW, against its fullest capacity of 2,990 MW, as a few units are under annual maintenance. The units at Rajasthan and Thoothukudi, the company is generating 3,100 MW power in total.