Bajaj Auto Limited, one of the country's leading two-wheeler manufacturers, is going through a rough phase as protests entered second day at its Pune-based Chakan manufacturing facility. Some 2,000 Bajaj Auto employees have gone on a strike over several demands including wage revision. The assembly operations at Chakan plant are in danger of being halted, which would lead to unwanted production delays and losses to the company.
Commenting on the issue, a source representing Bajaj Auto union was quoted as saying, “Our agitation continues and production remains crippled even today as the employees have not gone for work demanding wage revision.” They also revealed that they received no indications from the company's management concerning resolving the issues so far. The source also said, “We will continue our agitation as long as our demand for wage revision and better work conditions at the plant are not met. Bajaj management has so far not invited us for talks.”
As per reports, Bajaj Auto's Chakan plant currently employs 925 permanent workers and 1,000 employees, trainees on a temporary and contractual basis. The agitated union is seeking a 25 per cent wage hike, permanent appointment for workers on contract, reinstatement of some suspended employees and bringing transferred workers back to the Chakan plant. The disgruntled workmen are also demanding 500 equity shares of Bajaj Auto Limited at a discounted price of Re. 1 per share.
Reportedly, Baja Auto had received a notice from its employee union, Vishwa Kalyan Kamgar Sanghatana, which mentioned that work will be stopped at Chakan facility from June 28, 2013. The company is yet to come up with a plan to negotiate talks with the upset union and resolving wage related issues. The company's Chakan plant produces an annual output yield of 1.2 million units, including Avenger, Pulsar, Ninja and KTM bikes.
