TRADE Unions are on warpath to get due wage revision as the seventh meeting of National Joint Committee for Steel (NJCS), held in New Delhi on Wednesday, remained inconclusive. Infuriated over management, coming up with same proposals, the trade unions’ representatives opted to boycott the meeting prior to lunch hours. Vansh Bahadur Singh, NJCS member and Deputy General Secretary, Steel Employees Union (INTUC) informed that in the meeting SAIL management put forth the same proposals of ten-yearly wage revision with 10% MGB, 6% Variable MGB and 10% Fixed Perks (Grade Basis 10% of Starting Scale).

 

The management also proposed for payment of arrears inclusive of perks from April 1, 2020 and the due arrears from January 1, 2017 on basis of company registering profit as that of last meeting. He informed that the trade union opted to boycott the meeting and all the trade unions representatives would chalk out the strategy together to get revision, meeting expectation of workers. S P Dey, General Secretary, Hindustan Steel Employees Union (CITU) informed that the trade union is firm on its stand of five yearly wage revision and other due financial benefits including 17% MGB, complete payment of due arrears, perks on revised basics with the wage revision.

 

He categorically stated that the trade union would stage strike in the first week of May if the wage revision was delayed. The government ought to revise the policy to change the market scenario in company’s favour instead of depriving hardworking company workers of their due benefits. Pramod Mishra, General Secretary, Bhilai Shramik Sabha (Hind Majdoor Sabha HMS) asserted that the trade union has already forwarded the notice of strike call on April 13 to protest SAIL Management’s policy. The union is firm on its stand and only the date of agitation could be changed if other unions would consider the option of strike call.