Date:23/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/02/23/stories/2005022300590700.htm

Back CCTL readies contingency plan to handle staff strike

Raja Simhan T.E.

Chennai , Feb. 22

CHENNAI Container Terminal Ltd (CCTL) has begun to put in place a contingency plan to ensure that work goes on at the terminal even if its workmen go on strike from February 27.

The private terminal operator has brought in 20 operators from Nhava Sheva and Mundra container terminals. It has also brought in about 20 contract labourers from other ports, and they will get training on RTG (rubber-tyred gantry cranes) operations and yard operations. A trainer has also been brought in from Nhava Sheva. Further, the company has placed a real-time training simulator on crane operations, according to CCTL sources. (The Nhava Sheva and Mundra container terminals are run by P&O Ports, which also operates the Chennai Container Terminal.)

The sources said productivity at the terminal improved today. The six quay cranes handled 527 moves in the first shift against 92 for whole of Monday.

CCTL said that 15 CCTL workmen who were on an illegal strike have been placed under "lock out". "These workers created a commotion, threatened the contract operators and physically prevented them from operating the cranes," it said.

This "lock out" is in the interest of preserving the safety and security of CCTL officers, employees, and employees from other terminals, contract labourers, properties and properties of customers. This is in addition to the four employees who were earlier suspended for disrupting a management meeting, CCTL sources said.