It is reported that a strike that threatened to disrupt operations at major ports in India was averted after the government agreed in principle to a new 5 year wage contract.
The settlement came after Indian shipping minister Mr GK Vasan, along with officials of the Indian Ports Association, held talks with union leaders.
The ministry said “After having extensive day long discussions, the impasse was broken when the minister offered a wage increase of 23% to the workers.”
The workers, who had been without a contract since January 2007, were previously insisting on a 34% hike compared with 18% offered by the IPA.
Officials said the wage revision would benefit more than 50,000 workers and help avoid work stoppages at a time when major gateway hubs are under pressure to meet targets set for fiscal 2009-10 ending March 31 amid the slowdown in trade.
Unionized port and dock workers under five labor federations earlier served notice of an indefinite strike starting September 15 to press for wage increases and additional benefits.
(Sourced from http://www.steelguru.com/news/index/2009/09/11/MTExMTk2/India_settles_wage_dispute_to_avert_port_strike_on_September_15.html)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
India settles wage dispute to avert port strike on September 15
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