Monday, January 9 2006 17:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: The Toyota-Kirloskar union affiliated to the Center of Trade Union (CITU) today (Jan 9,2006) demanded that the Government prosecute the management, which had declared an indefinite lockout of the local unit yesterday (Jan 8,2006), for violating a section of the Industrial dispute act and for several other 'illegal acts' indulged in by the company.

Protesting against lockout declared yesterday in wake of a snap strike by its employees demanding reinstatement of three of its dismissed employees, the Joint Secretary of the Union, R Ravi said that the employees would continue with its indefinite agitation and demanded Government intervention to arrive at a 'solution' to the vexed problem.

"The Union calls upon the Government to firstly order that the three dismissals are kept in abyeance. The Government should immediately refer the matter for a court of inquiry as per section 10 (1) (b) of the Industrial Dispute Act",Meenakshi Sundaram, General Secretary of the state district committee of the CITU told reporters here today.

Alleging that the Toyota Management world over and in India had 'failed to respect the law of the land', he said that the management ought to have before passing the dismissal orders sought expressed permission under section 33 (1) (b) of the Industrial dispute Act.Instead they dismissed the three concerned workers which was `illegal', V J K Nair, All India Vice President, CITU, said.

The strike and sit-in was to demand that the management withdraw the illegal dismissal order on three workmen whose case is pending before the additional Industries Tribunal.

"The strike action was the only method by which the totally illegal action (dismissal) could be reinstated", Sundaram said while justifying the strike and sit-held on January six fearing further suspension and dismissal.

Sundaram further alleged that the management had even failed to listen to the advice given by the deputy labour commissioner and conciliation officer to keep in abeyance the dimissal orders until the adjudicator takes decisions on the legality of the dismissals.

The Deputy Labour Commissioner is holding a conciliatory meeting between the Toyota management and workers union today.

"The management instead of relying on labour department has obtained the assistance of the police making use of an injunction order under civil law which does not apply to the situation", he alleged.

Alleging that the management had resorted to 'a slave-like treatment' of its employees, Ravi said that the employees had been forced to work under 'unfavourable working conditions' and were often subjected to high-handedness by the mangement.

He further alleged that the dismissals were nothing but a process of 'victimisation' against those who had stood up against the management. The management he further alleged had tried to 'set up' a union favoured by it and was opposed to the elected body. They rather had favoured representatives nominated by it.

The union would now continue to hold its protest meetings while demanding immediate reinstatement of the three dismissed members and revoking the suspension of 15 others, he said.

Last week, production work at Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) at Bidadi on the city outskirts had come to a standstill following a labour unrest after the TKM reinstated one employee and dismissed three whom the company found guilty of certain acts of serious misconducts including assault on supervisors.

However, Ravi denied that any of the supervisors had been assaulted.

"The charges are false and baseless", he said.

According to the management, some employees had opposed the findings of the enquiry and had resorted to stoppage of work without prior notice of 14 days as per the Industrial Dispute Act 1947, and struck work illegally. They had even obstructed other employees from working.

Opposing the allegations, Nair said, "We are not against productivity. We are for competitiveness". He also refuted allegations that there were attempts to create a Gurgaon-like situation at Bidadi.

Accusing the management of hiring 'goonda elements' and creating a `riot-like' situation, he said it was these elements that had pelted stones and attacked the media. The violent attack were aimed at portraying them as criminal acts to `victimise genuine union activists and leaders', said Sundaram.

Meanwhile the CITU city district committee has decided to organise various solidarity programmes in favour of struggling Toyota workers, including indefinite dharna .

TKM is a joint venture between Japan's Toyota Motor Corp and Kirloskar group and has 2,378 people on the rolls out of which 1,500 are union-affiliated members.