In
a strongly worded message issued to the media on April 17, 2014 against his
company’s union, Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto Ltd has said the
demands of the union are “entirely insane”. The union is threatening to go on strike at
the Chakan plant near Pune from April 28, 2014. Bajaj even went on to say that
while handling the strike in June 2013, the “management is guilty of sparing
the rod and spoiling the child.”
“If
the demands of the union were somewhat preposterous the last time in June 2013,
they are entirely insane this time around. It seems to me that with some of the
irresponsible union leaders and members, the management is guilty of sparing
the rod and spoiling the child.
“We will be certain not to repeat that error
while taking all possible care to ensure the safety of the majority of our
colleagues who wish to continue to work, as also the continuity of production
so as to protect the interests of our customers, dealers, and suppliers,” Bajaj
saind in a statement to the media.
According
to the latest news, Vishwa Kalyan Kamgar Sanghatana (VKKS), Bajaj Auto's
independent trade union, has threatened to strike at the Chakan plant from
April 28. It said the company wasn't using its corporate social responsibility
funds for workers. The union had apparently issued a notice to the company that
workers would stop production at the plant from April 28. About 2,000 workers
are at the facility, making units of motorcycles, including Pulsar, Avenger,
Ninja and KTM.
In
June 2013 , the union had announced a strike for 50 days. It was called off
unconditionally in August 2013. Subsequently, the union had sought shares free
of cost and a raise in their salaries rise. Bajaj, had at that time said he was
okay if the plant was shut for several days but the company wouldn't give a
single share for free.
Photography Mohd. Nasir