Strike halts Hyundai production at Tamil Nadu plant

CHENNAI - The Hyundai Motor India Employees Union (HMIEU) went on a flash strike here on Monday halting production at the company’s manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu’s Sriperumbudur town.

They demanded the reinstatement of 67 colleagues dismissed after a strike in July.

Though only 150 employees out of 10,000 were on strike, Hyundai said it decided to suspend production because it was unsure of maintaining the quality of cars made during the labour unrest.

“Since yesterday midnight we have gone on strike demanding reinstatement of the dismissed 67 employees. We also want the company to recognise the union and as a part of our crusade, 410 workers within the plant and 400 others outside are protesting against the management and have gone on strike,” said Edison Perira, a leader of f Hyundai Workers Union.

He contended that the company management had not recognised the union, a registered body that was formed in 2007 and the only union in the company.

He also charged that the services of the employees were not regularised and the management was hiring contract employees for direct manufacturing, which they alleged was illegal.

Meanwhile, R Sethuraman, Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Affairs, of Hyundai Motor India Limited said that certain employees were dismissed for vandalising company’s property and the court also upheld the management’s decision.

He also said that the company is ready to take back some of the employees on humanitarian grounds.

Further he added to say that when a legal process is in process, this strike by workers is illegal. (ANI)