<p>The negotiation between the company and the workers over the wage settlement has been going on for quite so... Read More

AHMEDABAD: The stand-off between Tata Motors Limited and the workers of its car manufacturing plant at Sanand is continuing with the latter deciding to stop consuming meals and food provided by the company from Saturday and instead go hungry during their working hours. The workers shunned company-provided meals demanding higher amount of compensation in the first year of the long-term settlement (LTS).

The negotiation between the company and the workers over the wage settlement has been going on for quite some time.

“Under the wage settlement agreement reached for Pune plant, the company has agreed to disburse 73% of the wage hike in the first year of the settlement period spanning three years. Similarly, Sanand plant workers have demanded 67% distribution in the first year. While the management is the same (for both Sanand and Pune plant), why are we being offered lesser compensation at 50% by the company,” said Hitesh Rabari , president, Bharatiya Kamdaar Ekta Manch, a workers union at the plant.

As many as 450 workers of the Sanand plant boycotted food provided by the company from Saturday and vowed to continue to do so till their demand is met.

“Some of the workers have opted not to use the canteen services and made their lunch arrangements through lunch packs from their home. This was done to demand an earlier settlement of the LTS. The matter is under conciliation and internal negotiations are also going on a daily basis. The management is committed to resolve this matter and is in daily dialogues with the workmen and the union,” a Tata Motors spokesperson said.

