CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Wednesday ordered an interim stay against the 10 unions of Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) directing them to desist from striking or resorting to any kind of agitation disrupting NLC’s operations.
Justice K Ravichandra Babu granted a stay following a petition moved by the Chief Regional Manager of NLC.
The petitioner stated that wage settlement discussions for the five-year period from 2012 to 2016 are continuing with two recognised unions - the NLC Workers Progressive Union and NLC Anna Workers and Staff Union. The NLC is paying ad-hoc salaries to all eligible workmen from the year 2012, pursuant to an understanding reached with the recognised unions, the petitioner added. However, the 10 unions, not eligible to take part in wage-negotiations are trying to disrupt the functioning of NLC, he said.
“They have threatened to go on strike without even giving proper strike notice in advance as mandated by law. The functioning of power plants would be affected due to the strike and this would not be in the interest of the State which was facing power shortage,” the Manager said.
Admitting the petition, the vacation court granted an interim stay against the 10 unions and directed notice to them returnable by four weeks.