In a significant development, trade unions including, INTUC, CITU, HMS, and AICCTU, have decided to withdraw the proposed strike scheduled for January 29 and 30. The decision comes in the wake of assurances from the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) regarding the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dated October 22, 2021, within the next two and a half months. During the conciliation process held on Wednesday at the Chief Labour Commissioner(CLC) Central office in Delhi, office-bearers from various trade unions held meeting with SAIL authorities. The discussions revolved around the pending demands, including the finalisation of the NJCS agreement, payment of arrears for 39 months, revision of different allowances such as HRA, night shift allowance, difficult area allowance, mines allowance, and more.

 

Other issues raised included the revision of wages, job security for contract workers of SAIL and RINL, revision of APIRS (Bonus) scheme, and an additional payment of bonus for the year 2022-23, not less than the previous year’s amount. Additionally, one additional increment for all workers was also sought. V B Singh, General Secretary of the Steel Employees Union (INTUC), stated that the decision to withdraw the strike call was made following assurances from the SAIL management regarding meeting the demands within the stipulated time. After extensive discussions on core issues, CLC (C) Remis Tiru advised the management to honor the points agreed upon in the MoU for the maintenance of sound industrial harmony.

 

The management was further urged to engage in regular bilateral discussions on the five core issues and conclude them within the next two and a half months. S P Dey, Secretary of the Hindustan Steel Employees Union (CITU), confirmed that the trade unions opted to withdraw the strike call due to the intervention of CLC (C), Delhi office, and the assurances provided by SAIL management during the conciliation process. However, it was emphasised that trade unions reserved the right to stage a strike again if the management failed to execute the MoU to the satisfaction of workers and fulfil key demands within the agreed timeframe.