PUDUCHERRY: The talks between the NLC management and the trade union representatives of the contract workers failed to break the deadlock here on Tuesday.
Nearly 13,000 contract workers are on strike since April 21 demanding implementation of the 11-point demands, which included equal pay for equal work, regularisation of services and increase in the retirement age. The talks held on Tuesday were convened by R Sivaraj, Central Assistant Labour Welfare Commissioner, in which NLC general manager Maheshwar and additional general manager Arivu participated. The trade unions of the contract workers were represented in the talks by Pazhanivel (LPF), Kuppusamy (AITUC), Murugavel (Pattali Trade Union), Madhavakrishnan (CITU), Arasu Gunasekaran (LLF), Paramasivam (ITUF), Janakiraman (INTUC).
According to AITUC leader M Sekar, the NLC management was adamant in its stand regarding regularisation of the employees and other demands. He said that the management also did not come forward with suggestions for settling the issues amicably in any of the talks held so far.
Pointing out that the maintenance works of the various sites, instruments were being affected by the strike, the AITUC leader claimed that the production may come to a halt soon, if the strike continued. No fresh dates were set for the next round of talks. Meanwhile, the trade unions have decided to hold a demonstration in the district head quarters on Wednesday.
The trade unions would stage a “Jail Bharo” agitation on June 7.