Though the term of present recognised union of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant expired on April 29, there is no clarity when the elections will be held for selection of recognised union by the employees following confusion over the proposal of proportionate representation to those who poll 78% of votes.
There is no consensus among the major trade unions on tenure to be fixed for the recognised union even as the management has strongly envisaged a five-year term and grant of recognition to unions which together poll 78% of votes.
5-year tenure mooted
As the practice is being followed successfully in some of the plants of Steel Authority of India Ltd, National Mineral Development Corporation and Singareni Collieries Company Limited, almost all the major unions – INTUC, AITUC and CITU agree that elections for longer period instead of two years would be good in the larger interest of the India’s first shore-based integrated steel plant.
Incidentally, there are 24 unions which function at VSP out of which INTUC, AITUC and CITU together have a membership of 90 to 95%. “We are in favour of increasing the tenure to four years but we will agree for proportionate representation as suggested by the management only when all the unions arrive at a consensus,” Mantri Rajasekhar, general secretary of Visakha Steel Employees’ Congress (recognised union belonging to INTUC), told The Hindu .
The Central Labour Department is yet to hold a meeting to finalise the dates for holding the elections. At present, there are indications that election maybe held by the August-end. The unions have sought strict implementation of code of conduct/discipline if all the major players agree for increasing the term.
AITUC leader D. Adinarayana said if there was a consensus, then recognition to three major unions would give better bargaining power. He said their union was in favour of at least three-year tenure.
“Instead of 78%, we are in favour of recognition to all those who totally poll 51% votes,” CITU-affiliated Stee Plant Employees’ Union vice-president J. Simhachalam said.
