Comstar Automotive strike enters 44th day

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SME Times News Bureau | 23 Sep, 2011
The workers' strike at auto component manufacturer Comstar Automotive Technologies continued for the 44th day here Friday with the workers hoping for serious government intervention.

"We are waiting for the government's intervention in a serious way to sort out the issue," Comstar Automotive Technologies Employees' Union general secretary D. Natarajan said.

"We hope the government invokes the provisions of Industrial Disputes Act and passes necessary orders in the workers' favour," he added.

The management -- after agreeing to revoke the wage cut for 16 days and disciplinary action against some workers and agreeing to negotiate wage accord in the presence of labour department officials -- has gone back on its word, he said.

Around 425 workers of the company are on strike since Aug 11, demanding recognition of their union and negotiations over a three-year wage accord. The last accord ended in March.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) member of the Tamil Nadu assembly, A. Soundararajan, told IANS: "The issue was raised in the assembly during the recent budget session. We are waiting for the government's action."

He said there seemed to be no difference between the AIADMK and DMK when it came to not giving legal backing to companies which did not recognise trade unions.

Comstar Automotive officials were not available for comments.

Comstar Automotive, based in Maraimalai Nagar near here, manufactures and supplies auto components like starters and alternators for cars and light commercial vehicles.