Bajaj Auto workers defer Chakan plant strike by 2 weeks

In a relief to Pune-based two-wheeler maker Bajaj Auto, its employees union on Sunday deferred a proposed strike from Monday, April 28 by two weeks, saying that workers have decided to give more time to the management to consider their charter of demands.

 

The decision to put off the proposed strike was taken after a four-hour meeting of union leaders at the company's Chakan plant.

 

"We have decided to defer our proposed strike at Chakan plant by two weeks. We have conveyed our decision to the management," Bajaj Auto employee union president Dilip Pawar told PTI.

 

He said the decision was taken keeping in view the interest of employees and also to grant more time to the management to consider the union's demands.

 

The union, on April 14, had served a notice with a list of demands, which include allocation of CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds for education of employees' children, setting up a museum in the name of company's founder Jamnalal Bajaj within a year and allotment of shares at a discounted price. The union had also said it would stop work from April 28 if the Bajaj Auto management failed to oblige. (Read more)

 

However, the management had termed the demand for allocation of funds for tribal development from the CSR spends and setting up a museum in founder Jamnalal Bajaj's name as "insane". (Read more)

 

The company had rubbished all the demands and said it would ensure that production is not hit if the union makes any attempt to disrupt it.

 

Bajaj Auto had said it has received a notice from the union for stoppage of work from April 28 at its Chakan plant.

 

The Chakan plant employs over 2,000 workers, including around 900 permanent ones, and produces 1.2 million units of bikes including the Pulsar, Avenger, Ninja and KTM brands a year.