The
ongoing tussle between the management and workers of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd
(TKML) finally saw the government of Karnataka intervening in the matter. The
government has apparently issued an order asking the company and the union to
restore normalcy in operation with immediate effect.
It
is to be seen whether the union heeds to this government order. A company
release said that “The Government of Karnataka, in order to maintain industrial
peace and harmony, has issued an order asking the company and the union to
restore normalcy in operations, immediately. All relevant issues, between the
workers and the management have been referred for adjudication. We thank all
our stakeholders for their support and understanding, during this difficult
period.”
There
is no denying the fact that the strike at the two Toyota plants in Bidadi on
the outskirts of Bangalore in the recent months has taken a massive toll on the
production of vehicles and has also to some extent delayed the launch of the
Etios Cross in the country as well as the new Corolla Altis. The company had
declared a lockout after a wage negotiation with its 6,400 workers threatened
to go out of hand.
Exactly
five days after declaring a lockout at its two plants in Bidadi the company
had lifted the lockout on March 20,
2014. The two plants produce more than 300,000 vehicles a year that include
popular models like the Innova multi utility vehicle, the Fortuner SUV, the
Corolla Altis and Camry sedans and the Etios models. The company recently
celebrated the sale of its millionth car in India.
Though
on that date it said it had submitted to the Deputy Labour Commissioner that it
had decided to lift the lock out implemented vide notice dated March 16, 2014,
a majority of workers abstained from work. The reason was the company had asked
its employees keen on resuming work to sign a simple undertaking on good
conduct. Many of the workers simply refused this.
The
company has stated that ,"Under the instigation of the union, certain
sections of the employees have resorted to deliberate stoppages of the
production line, abuse and threatening of supervisors." This had promoted
the management to declared a lockout on March 16, 2014.
Since
March 24, the company has been recording limited production of passenger
vehicles at its two plants.
Photograph for representation purpose only