Exim News Service reported that 3 major federations of port and dock workers, affiliated to INTUC, AITUC and CITU, which met in Chennai recently have decided to postpone their strike call at the Major Ports following assurances given by Dr AK Chanda chairman of the Indian Ports Association on early wage settlement.

Mr Mohan K Aswani additional general secretary of the Indian National Port & Dock Workers Federation, the 3 federations took the decision after the IPA chairman, who is also the chairman of the Bipartite Wage Negotiation Committee, gave the assurance at a recent meeting in New Delhi that a wage agreement package, retrospectively effective from January 1st 2007, would be offered to the workers on January 23rd 2009.

It may be recalled that these three federations have been demanding a wage settlement with a periodicity of 5 years, while the other 2 recognized federations have agreed to a pact for 10 year period.

The stir was also deferred in view of the assurance given by the Port managements as well as the appeal of the deputy chief Labour Commissioner (C), Chennai, not to precipitate matters by resorting to direct action given that further bilateral discussions were likely to take place in New Delhi.

The Conciliation Officer also advised the managements to expedite decisions on the core issues like periodicity of the wage settlement, attractive pay package as well as the unimplemented issues listed in the strike notice of the three major federations.

The call for strike has thus been postponed pending the outcome of the BWNC meeting scheduled for January 23rd in New Delhi. The federation leaders have also requested the immediate intervention of Mr TR Baalu Ministry of Shipping, Union Shipping Minister and Mr Oscar Fernandes minister of Labour, to expedite the process of a satisfactory wage settlement and avert a nationwide strike.

(Sourced from Exim News Service)