A triangular fight is witnessed for the February 5 recognised union elections for Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, with the main contestants stepping up the campaign promising to safeguard the interest of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant to improve its finances.
Of 23 registered trade unions, 12 are in the contest. The Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) allotted symbols to all the unions on Tuesday after completing the process for scrutiny.
The net losses incurred by RINL, the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, payment of revised HRA arrears, initiating wage revision talks with effect from January 1, 2017, the move by the Central government to disinvest 10% of the equity in the navratna company and jobs to children of displaced families, are figuring prominently in the campaigning.
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This is the largest industrial union for which elections are being conducted in the State. All the permanent employees numbering 11,585 are eligible to cast their franchise.
Visakha Steel Employees’ Congress (INTUC), which was the recognised union in the last elections is being challenged by CITU and AITUC along with other unions supporting them. Last time, AITUC and CITU were in fray as an alliance. INTUC is banking on split in Left votes to retain the recognised union elections.
Seven unions are extending their support to Steel Plant Employees’ Union (CITU), which include Visakha Steel Employees Union (first registered and recognised union of steel plant), HMS and TNTUC (led by Boddu Pydi Raju).
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United Steel Employees’ Union is supporting INTUC. Visakha Steel Workers’ Union (AITUC) is being supported by YSRTUC led by Y. Mastanappa. Other unions in fray are BMS and TNTUC.
Vote counting
The counting of votes will be taken up after the elections on February 5.