People's Democracy

COAL STRIKE IN CHANDRAPUR

MASSIVE PROTEST AGAINST OUTSOURCING

Jibon Roy

COAL workers of Chandrapur in Wardha region of Maharashtra joined a massive protest against WCL policy of employing contract workers in coal mining. Workers came out of the mines in the morning of March 4, 2008 and there was a complete strike till a settlement was signed on March 8 afternoon. Around ten thousands workers participated in the strike. Opposition was so intense and spontaneous that all the trade unions, of course excepting one, have came forward to support the strike.

Industrial relations reached a tense phase when the earthmoving machineries piloted by the contractor workers began roaring into the greenfield area of Durganagar Colliery and hundreds of contract workers were pushed into the mine owned by WCL. Both the law and the bipartite settlements between the labour and the management prohibit employment of contract workers in regular nature of mining. Miners were awed and surprised. Desperation of the management was so high that it found no reason to discuss the matter with the unions prior to such deployments. Even the matter relating to mine safety was ignored. Agencies are allowed mining only after a full safety net is assured and duly authenticated by mine safety board.

On February 11, 2008, workers came out of the mines in thousands from all the adjoining mines in Chandrapur area where Durganagar is located and blocked the passage of machineries brought by the contractors. At that moment of time, the role of labour department and district administration were highly demanding. But surprisingly, the state government instead of moving the Labour ministry for conciliation, pushed the district administration into the field for intimidating the workers. Instead of initiatiating a dialogue between the parties, it called the trade unions into the chamber of district collector on February 12 where they were threatened in front of management. Administration asked the leaders to allow contractors or to face consequences. In the same evening, armed forces were deployed; the contractors and their machineries were pushed into the mine under police cover.

Response was obvious. Having responded to workers disquiet and anxiety, CITU, INTUC, BMS and HMS served the notice for continuous strike which was to begin from March 4, 2008. Since notice was served on February 12, there was sufficient time for initiating discussion. But no initiative came either from the Labour ministry or the district authorities. There was neither any attempt on the part of the WCL management or CIL authorities. They better thought to ignore the workers� response and the Labour department slept over the legal notice served by four trade unions representing major national centres.

Impasse continued till the strike attained huge support and all attempts for splitting the movement failed. No amount of creating terror including threat for dismissal could break the unity of workers. Finally, workers responded only when there were an agreement between the trade unions and the WCL management. In the agreement, management expressed its willingness to discontinue outsourcing, provided annual targets are fulfilled. The matter of wages during the strike period has been referred to CIL management. Management assured that there will be no victimisation for joining the strike.

Events in Chandrapur highlight the growing resentment among workers against any type of job outsourcing. It vindicates that irrespective of the position taken by unions, workers would not and cannot reconcile with a situation where pressures are built over the wage level and also job safety by introducing a system of mine slaughtering through contractors. Chandrapur experience has further proved that it is bound to be a futile exercise for the management, if instead of making a sincere endeavour for a negotiated settlement, it takes on the role for abetting division within the trade union movement. If they were sincere, management could have found sufficient ground for negotiation and the loss of production could have been avoided.

Chandrapur settlement could be treated as base for the settlement of dispute arising out of management move for outsourcing of mining. If attainment of targets is looked as the main concern, management can engage themselves in a serious dialogue with the trade unions over the matter. In that case government too has to show its wisdom by employing more funds for mine development and engagement of technologies available in the world for safe exploitation of reserves. But it is unfortunate, instead of reaching a negotiated settlement, it took the course of coercion and divisive tactics. WCL management must have understood by this time that its tactics to split the HMS leadership from the strike has not helped the concerned leadership nor the management. It was not gracious for them to allow prolonging the strike till solidarity support began pouring in support of the strike. Settlement came only when strike notices were served in other regions in support of Chandrapur.

It is a matter of happiness that coal workers from all segments came forward with all solidarity support. Chandrapur developments have vindicated that despite the fierceness of attack, there would be growing discontent amongst workers in organised industry and urge for unity. HMS ranks deserve special appreciation for their courage and sense of camaraderie to continue with the strike despite all odds till the settlement was signed.