TUs call for strike at SAIL units on May 06

Bhilai, Apr 18:
Wage agreement of SAIL employees is pending since January 01, 2017. Even after waiting for the entire four years, the employees are not getting any positive indication from the management. Initially, SAIL management adopted negligent attitude towards wage revision on grounds of company’s losses and certain directives of the government. Later, when the steel industry started making profits, management still remained negligent towards wage revision. Resentment increased among the workers when the other PSUs finalised wage agreement for their employees. Management continued its attitude even after making huge profits with the dedicated working of laborers even during the Covid-19 epidemic. When the management maintained its stance of providing very low benefits, all the trade unions boycotted the NJCS meeting held on March 31, 2021. Even after this, the management did not take that boycott seriously.
SAIL management for the first time attempted to speak directly to the workers of the plant through virtual dialogue. TU leaders alleged that it was an attempt to weaken the trade unions by following the policy of divide and rule.
The TU leaders congratulated the steel workers of SAIL and RINL who staged tool down demonstrations in Bhilai Steel Plant, Dalli Rajhara mines, Burnpur and Durgapur Steel Plant, Bulani mines and Bokaro Steel Plant after boycott of NJCS meeting by trade unions. With the connivance of the government and management, TU leaders expressed indignation towards not giving due rights to the workers. The result of this initiative of the employees is that the trade unions have together given a call for nationwide strike.
Out of the six members of NJCS, four trade unions have unanimously decided to serve strike notice on April 20 pressing five major demands including minimum guaranteed benefits, perks, lump sum arrears payment from 1 January 2017, no tampering on gratuity limit, implementation of pending issues of previous agreement, resolution of pending problems of diploma holders, etc. The TUs have called upon the employees of all the steel plants and all captive mines and other mines in the country to participate in the strike. A strike notice will be served on April 20, 2021 for a 24-hour strike on May 06, 2021. This first phase of struggle will be announced by AITUC, HMS, CITU, LPF of Salem Steel Plant and other independent unions.
It needs to be mentioned here that the management has invited only the top leaders of trade unions for discussion on April 23. As the complete NJCS is not being called for meeting, this initiative of SAIL management is facing widespread protest. On the other hand, Covid-19 has also caused havoc in steel plants and mines. A large number of steel workers have lost their lives. TUs are demanding serious initiatives on the part of management for providing compassionate appointment to the dependents of the employees those who lost their lives due to Coronavirus infection as well as the measures for proper treatment and protecting the employees from infection.
The TU leaders have expressed respect towards the anger of all the steel workers and decided to go on strike on May 06, 2021. The notice of strike will be formally served April 20, 2021 in the units and mines of SAIL.
Here in Bhilai Steel Plant, Trade Unions including AITUC, HMS, CITU, AICCTU, Ispat Shramik Manch and Steel Workers Unions will jointly serve the notice of strike. In view of Covid protocol, two representatives from each union will visit the Industrial Relations Department of Bhilai Steel Plant to serve the notice at 11:30 hrs on April 20.
Vinod Kumar Soni from AITUC, HS Mishra from HMS, SP Dey from CITU; Brijendra Tiwari from AICCTU; Rajesh Agrawal from Ispat Shramik Manch and Nand Kishore Gupta from Steel Workers Union were present.