Possibilities of indefinite strike cannot be ruled out: HS Mishra

Bhilai, Apr 23:
After the failure of NJCS meeting in reaching consensus on Friday, Bhilai Shramik Sabha (HMS) President and NJCS member HS Mishra has said that now the wage agreement will be finalised on the shop floor amidst total tool down strike. He urged all the NJCS members to boycott any further NJCS meet as the management continues to remain adamant on its stance. He called upon all the employees of SAIL units to participate in the strike scheduled on May 06. Mishra further said that the resentment among employees has reached to its peak and hence the probabilities of indefinite strike cannot be ruled out. It needs to be mentioned here that SAIL Management convened a virtual meeting of NJCS on Friday. Only the top leaders of the member Trade Unions attended this meeting. The management increased its offer to 11% MGB which was again rejected by the TU leaders. Finally the meeting ended in stalemate.
Mishra stated that they will not accept anything below 15 % MGB, 35 % perks, 9 % pension contribution and complete arrears from 2017. As the management is not accepting this demand, it is worthless to attend the meetings again and again. The management is well aware about the mounting anger among the employees of SAIL. As the management did not take positive step in the NJCS meeting, the joint trade unions including HMS, AITUC, CITU, Ispat Shramik Manch, Steel Workers, Loktantrik Ispat evam Engineering Mazdoor Union and AICCTU are forced to stage impressive strike on May 06. He anticipated that the self motivated tool down and indefinite strikes could also occur at the SAIL Units. He added that now the wage revision will be finalised on the shop floor amidst total strike.
Speaking about the current disastrous situation created due to Coronavirus Pandemic, Mishra said that BSP’s Director incharge has said in social media that the safety and protection of workers is their priority. Mishra requested him to visit the JLN Hospital, Sector 9 and take immediate steps to improve the arrangements and medical facilities. He added that in absence of trained staff, the unskilled contract labours are operating the Oxygen Cylinders. Due to ignorance, they are unable to provide appropriate quantity of oxygen to the patients. It is being alleged that the labours often make mistake of closing the valves instead of opening it which is resulting in untimely deaths of SAIL employees and their family members. It is a matter great sorrow that the management has failed to ensure monitoring and proper treatment at this prestigious hospital. Mishra again requested the Directro I/c to take this issue into serious cognizance and improve the treatment facilities at JLN Hospital, Sector 9. He reiterated the demand of providing Rs 15 lakhs immediate monetary aid to the dependents of deceased employees like Coal India as well as compassionate appointment to one of the dependents of the deceased employees.