THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Talks to end the stand off between a section of workers and the management of spice processing unit Synthite Industries, Ernakulam, has finally borne fruit with both parties stepping down from their adamant stands.
The headway was made in the conciliatory talks held between the leaders of Synthite Employees’ Union, CITU, and management representatives in the presence of Labour Commissioner A Alexander in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.
As per the understanding reached between the striking employees and the management, it has been decided to cancel the transfer order of three employees, out of the total 17 employees transferred to Coimbatore. Another four transferred employees will be brought back to the parent unit in Ernakulam in four months.
The rest of the 10 employees would be brought back to the unit in one and a half years or by filling the vacancies arising out of retirement in the unit here during this period.The suspension of two employees out of the total 10 employees suspended would continue for a month and suspension of others would be withdrawn in response to the reply they submitted to the notice issued by the management.Meanwhile, the domestic inquiry against them will continue, the meeting decided.
All the employees who were transferred will have the voting right in the referendum. The meeting has also decided to provide free food and accommodation to all the employees who were transferred.Ernakulam regional joint labour commissioner K Sreelal, deputy labour commissioner Vinod Kumar, management representatives of Synthite Industries, representatives’ of employees’ union and others were among those who took part in the meeting.
Synthite Industries director Aju Jacob told Express that a compromise deal was struck wherein the Synthite Industries will cancel the transfer order of three staffers, while the rest of the 17 staffers will accept the order and move to the new location. The SIEU has withdrawn the strike with immediate effect and has promised to avoid any future confrontation over the prerogative of the firm to transfer its staffers.