Rajiv Bajaj warns workers’ union on likely strike at Chakan plant

Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, Bajaj Auto, has warned the Vishwa Kalyan Kamgar Sanghatana (VKKS) against going on strike at the company’s Chakan plant.

The VKKS, an independent union of workers engaged at Bajaj Auto across its Akurdi, Chakan and other plants, has once again issued a threat to go on strike and stop the production of bikes at the firm’s Chakan plant from April 28. The plant is known to roll out KTM Duke bikes, the Pulsar models, the Avenger and other models as well.

In a letter to the company management, VKKS has once again put forward its demand of issuance of 500 equity shares to each permanent worker at a discounted price of Rs 10 per share. Other demands include allocation of BAL’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds for the welfare of the workers and setting up of a joint committee comprising of members from the company and VKKS to monitor BAL’s CSR activities. This comes at a time when wage revision dispute between BAL and VKKS is yet to be concluded and is being administered at the Bombay High Court.

Bajaj Auto’s Chakan plant is home to nearly 850-900 permanent workers and 400 trainee or non-permanent workers. In a press statement issued by the company, Rajiv Bajaj has stated: “If the demands of the union were somewhat preposterous the last time in June 2013, they are entirely insane this time around. We will be certain not to repeat that error while taking all possible care to ensure the safety of the majority of our colleagues who wish to continue to work, as also the continuity of production so as to protect the interests of our customers, dealers, and suppliers.”