KOCHI: The ongoing labour strike at the Synthite Industries’ plant at Kadayiruppu here took a turn for the worse on Monday with the CITU-affiliated Synthite Industries Employees’ Union barring some 400 employees from entering the factory premises. Consequently, the entire functioning of the plant came to a grinding halt.
Now, though, all eyes are on the July 7 conciliatory talks convened by the Labour Commissioner in Thiruvananthapuram. According to the company spokesperson, the Employees’ Union (CITU) blocked the employees from entering the factory. The employees later staged a sit-in at the Kadayiruppu Junction against the actions of the Left trade union.
KS Arunkumar, Synthite Industries Employees’ Union president, told Express the labour strike will continue till the company management backs down from the decision to transfer out the 18 staffers. Nonetheless, he said the union will indeed attend the talks convened by the Labour Commissioner.
Despite the Collector's efforts to break the deadlock, the Employees’ Union refused to accept the transfer of the 18 employees which triggered the stand-off. The Collector, however, has directed the police to provide protection to employees willing to report for work.
The transfer of 18 employees on May 30 had triggered a flash strike. The blockade organised as part of the strike had turned violent with many employees being manhandled and several vehicles destroyed. w