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Our Bureau

Chennai, May 25 Workers at MRF’s Arakkonam unit continue their agitation as mediation efforts by the Vellore district administration failed, according to representatives of the MRF United Workers Union.

The union, which is demanding management recognition, and the company representatives met with the District Collector separately. But the talks were inconclusive and workers will continue with the agitation, said union leaders.

According to Mr V. Prakash, Honorary President, MRF United Workers Union, the authorities had said that the issue was ‘sub judice’ and the existing laws do not provide for the State Government to prevail upon the company management to recognise a specific union.

The workers affiliated to the union, which claims to represent more than 1,150 of the nearly 1,500 unionised cadres, is demanding that the management recognise it as the representative union and initiate wage settlement discussions with it.

However, the MRF management has described the union as a ‘rival union.’ It has entered into a wage settlement with another union, the MRF Arakkonam Workers Welfare Union which it has recognised.

The workers have been on an agitation for more than two weeks. The company declared a lockout last week.

Mr Prakash said the union has gone to court demanding that the management act on a recommendation of the International Labour Organisation that MRF United Workers Union was the majority representative. But, the labour-related issues come under the concurrent list and the State and Central authorities could act on the issue or order an election to let the union prove its majority. In the absence of support from the authorities the workers have decided to continue with the agitation.

According to union sources, MRF also employs over 3,000 contract workers. The management plans to reopen the facility on Wednesday but the union said it would continue its agitation.

More Stories on : Trade & Labour Unions | Tyres

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