The Hindu : Accord reached on miners' demands

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 10, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Accord reached on miners' demands

By Our Staff Reporter

KOTHAGUDEM AUG. 9. An agreement on the demands of the striking coal miners of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is likely to be signed in the presence of the Regional Labour Commissioner (RLC) in Hyderabad on Saturday.

The SCCL management and the Singareni Collieries Workers Union, which enjoys the company-level representative status, reached an understanding on some important demands after several rounds of discussions which concluded on a positive note at the head office here today.

The Singareni Collieries Workers Union general secretary, Y. Gattaiah, said an agreement could be possible on 19 issues pertaining to coal workers. But the real outcome of the discussions could be made public only after signing the agreement in the RLC office.

The management was understood to have deferred its decision to introduce the bigger size (67.5 cft capacity) tubs in the underground mines while the union asked to soften its stand on the demand for reverting to payment of wages in cash. So far as the demand for 200 units free power per month per quarter is concerned, they are hopeful of a solution.

The union had insisted on a minimum of 180 units per month. But the management sought to sort out the issue in consultation with the Government by giving due consideration to the problems likely to crop up at the GENCO level.The union had served the strike notice with 40 demands. In respect of 12 demands, the agreement was already drafted.

Company Directors and leaders of the representative union would meet the Chairman in his chambers to discuss the demand pertaining to promotion of clerks and other category of workers before sitting with the Regional Labour Commissioner. If both sides are able to iron out the differences on one or two key issues, particularly the demand for enhancement of power quota to company quarters, the strike is likely to be called off on Saturday evening. A majority of workers have already left for their respective places for the week-end after collecting their pay packets.

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