Labour union politics is getting momentum in the steel city as the Rourkela Steel Plant recognition election is round the corner.
Though late, finally the Central Labour Commission has fixed up January 30 as the date for polling. And for this, the nomination job is already over and the union leaders are busy in campaign. But two major talks in the city are there now for the election. One is about the extending support by two BJP stalwarts Jual Oram and Dilip Ray to two different unions and the other one is about the result. The experts feel this time it will be difficult for a single union to get recognition getting a majority with more than 30 per cent votes. Rather, it may be a joint bargaining council.
It may be noted here that the recognition election through secret ballot was introduced in the Rourkela Steel Plant in the year 1995 and the INTUC affiliated Rourkela Shramik Sangh (RSS) got a landslide victory. There after also the RSS managed to get continuous victory in the year 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2010. But the election result of 2014 was quite different from previous five occasions. Because that time the internal dispute in the RSS was high due the differences between its founder and general secretary MDN Panikar and president Prasant Behera. Two groups supporting each demanded the original RSS and matter went to court. That is why while Panikar camp could not put their candidature in the election, Behera group contested in the banner of the RSS.
But on the persuasion of BJP leaders and Rourkela MLA Dilip Ray, the Panikar group extended support to the BMS affiliated Rourkela Ispat Karakhana Karmachari Sangh (RIKKS). With the BJP in power at the Centre, the Pinikar group had an easy sailing for RIKKS and won the election with a landslide margin of getting 7,329 votes out of 14,124. It may be noted here till 2010 elections, the RIKKS has never touched 500 figures. But this time the situation has changed.
Though Panikar is no more but the RSS is a strong contender this time. On the intervention of MLA Ray, both the fractions of the RSS have amalgamated together. Even many supporters of the BJP who are also BJP leaders are openly working for the RSS. Besides, RSS general secretary Behera has openly admitted before the media that their union has the support and blessing of Ray and that will help them a lot to get victory. Similarly, RIKKS general secretary Himansu Bal confessed that Union Minister Oram is their family member. Similarly, many BJP leaders are also openly working for the RIKKS. So, now many say the RSP recognition election is a fight between Ray and Oram. Many also opine that due to the RSP recognition election, a division in the BJP has occurred.
Besides, many experts are apprehensive on the result of election. It is because, as per the provision, for getting single recognition, one union has to fletch at least 30 per cent votes. If not so then the union which gets at least 15 per cent votes is eligible to sit in a joint bargaining council. As this time, the situation is different.
The workers are not in a mood to give a single majority to a particular union. So, there is every possibility for a joint bargaining council. And, for this, the Gangpur Mazdoor Manch (GMM), Rourkela Mazdoor Sabha (RMS, the affiliated union of HMS) and Steel Employees Trade Union (SETU, the affiliated union of CITU), will play an important role. Because the GMM has a good sizeable fixed votes and that is why surprisingly in last election, it was in second position.
Similarly, SETU has certain fixed vote and it is eying on the voters who are in a mood of change. The RMS has the support of the ruling BJD. So the coming election is crucial from workers interest point of view as well as political point of view, feel many.