As the management of the Mysuru-based Falcon Tyres sought a month’s time to settle wages and reopen the factory, the factory’s union leaders created a ruckus at a meeting convened by the State government on Monday.
The government had invited factory representatives and union leaders for the meeting for an amicable solution to the long-pending workers’ demands, which included payment of salary and re-opening the factory at the earliest.
The meeting, which was called as per the instructions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, was convened at the State Secretariat. Minister of State for Labour P.T. Parameshwar and Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Dinesh Gundu Rao, held discussions with the factory management and employees.
When the meeting began, the union workers insisted on an immediate wage settlement and reopening the factory, to which the factory management sought one month’s time. Not happy with management’s reply, the union leaders heckled the Ministers. As the union leaders failed to adhere to the request made by the Ministers, Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao walked out of the meeting. The factory has been shut since January leaving nearly 2,500 workers on the brink of uncertainty.
Earlier, union president D.V. Devaraj had said the factory, which was set up in 1975, had good industrial relations. The factory’s current output stood at 34,000 tyres and 18,000 tubes. The union alleged that the salary dues amounting to Rs. 6 crore, are still pending.
When the meeting began, the union workers insisted on an immediate wage settlement and reopening the factory
