Date:03/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/03/stories/2007110360531000.htm

Tamil Nadu

Resentment over interim relief pact with NLC management

Special Correspondent

CUDDALORE: Following an agreement reached with the Neyveli Lignite Corporation management on payment of ad hoc interim relief on Thursday, the Labour Progressive Front, sole recognised trade union, has given up its strike proposal.

However, difference of opinion on the agreement has come up among the LPF executive members. The executive committee that met in Neyveli on Friday witnessed heated discussions .

Official sources said that during the talks held with the management representatives in Chennai, LPF president V.Ramachandran and secretary R.Gopalan agreed to the payment of ad hoc interim relief, pending wage revision.

The wage revision fell due on January 1, 2007 and so far over 10 rounds of talks were held to resolve the issue. As per the new pact the employees would get lump sum payment ranging from Rs 14,000 to Rs 25,000.

The LPF had earlier put forth the demand that till the wage issue was settled, the management should give an interim relief of Rs. 5,000 a month and it must be reflected in the salary. However, the management had taken a stand that such a practice was non-existent in public sector enterprises, and therefore, it turned down the demand. A section of the executive members of the LPF were of the view that instead of linking the proposed lumpsum payment with interim relief, the management could treat it as festival advance. The joint action council of 12 other trade unions voiced disappointment over the pact.