BSP employees observe Black Day; stage protest

Central Chronicle News
Bhilai, Jun 28: Wage revision negotiations are pending for the last 54 months in SAIL and RINL (Vizag). Recently, the 5-day marathon virtual meeting of NJCS also ended without conclusion. The trade unions allege that the SAIL management has adopted a negative and arrogant attitude due to which it is impossible to reach any consensus.
With growing resentment among the workmen, the joint trade union front launched three – day protests on Monday. The first day was observed as Black Day. Holding black flags, the workmen staged demonstrations at Boria Gate and Main Gate of Bhilai Steel Plant. Traffic Jam occurred at these two important traffic junctions due to the demonstration.
The union leaders stated that despite repeated reminders, the management initially did not allow the wage negotiations citing the reason for the Affordability Clause. When the negotiations started after great delay, the management continued with its adamant, arrogant and negative attitude due to which the negotiations did not progress.
Finally the unions resorted to agitation and are going to hold strike at all the SAIL Units on June 30. Black Day was observed on June 28 and the workmen are going to stage a hunger strike on June 29.
The union leaders stated that when they gave the strike call, the management hurriedly conducted virtual meetings from June 22 and held marathon meetings till June 27 but did not take any positive decision on the demands made by the unions.
Then the management made an attempt to prevent the strike on June 30 by insisting to hold physical meetings of NJCS on June 28, 29 and 30. When the TUs refused to attend the meeting, the management scheduled physical meetings on July 1, 2 and 3.
The union leaders informed that the management has triggered resentment among the employees by making attempts to impose negative preconditions in front of the NJCS unions even before starting the negotiation of the settlement.
The management is willing to pay the arrears from April 01. 2020. With this condition, the employees will lose the arrears of 39 months. Further, those who have retired after January 1, 2017 till March 31, 2020 will not get a single rupee of arrears.
The joint unions want to tell the management that after the wage settlement, it is the right of the employees to get the arrears wef the date of wage negotiations coming into force. The management cannot impose a condition of not paying the arrears.
On the call of joint unions, AITUC, HMS, Ispat Shramik Manch, Loktantrik Ispat evam Engineering Mazdoor Union staged demonstration at Main Gate while CITU, Steel Workers Union, AICCTU and a large number of youth workers and retired employees’ unions were present at the Boria Gate.
Trade Union leaders informed that they are constantly visiting various departments of BSP to appraise the workmen about the offers made by the management in the wage negotiations and the obstacles being faced by the TUs. TU leaders claimed that the workers are making up their mind to ensure the success of the June 30 strike.