Chennai, Sep 7 (IANS): The workers' strike at auto component manufacturer Comstar Automotive Technologies continued for the 28th day Wednesday with the management and the workers declining to budge from their stated positions.
"However, one positive development is that the management representatives attended the last two conciliation meetings Sep 5 and 6 under the government's pressure," Comstar Automotive Technologies Employees' Union general secretary D. Natarajan told IANS.
"The labour department has given some advice to the union and the management which will be discussed at our general body meeting," he added.
Earlier, the company management avoided the conciliation meetings despite being summoned by the Tamil Nadu government.
Around 425 workers of the company are on strike since Aug 11, demanding recognition of their union and negotiations over a three-year wage accord that ended March.
According to Natarajan, the labour department has suggested the union should withdraw the strike Sep 9 and the management should not take any disciplinary action against the striking workers or deduct their pay for the strike period.
The department has advised both the disputing parties to talk the issue out and maintain industrial peace.
"During the conciliation talks, the management agreed to withdraw the show cause notice issued to three workers while refusing to do the same for seven others. The labour department has suggested that both parties discuss this issue," Natarajan said.
"On the issue of union recognition, the labour department has suggested conduct of elections for the Five Men Committee (similar to workers' committee). The workers have to discuss this in detail as our strike is for recognition of our union and not for an elected committee," he said.
Company officials were not available for comments.
Comstar Automotive, based in Maraimalai Nagar near here, manufactures and supplies auto components like starters and alternators for cars and light commercial vehicles.
According to its website, it is a Tier-I supplier for Ford Motor Company, Volvo, Tata Motors and others.