Face off between INTUC, WCL Chanda AGM

Chandrapur: The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) in Chandrapur WCL is on the warpath against new Area General Manager (AGM) Muhammad Sabir over charges of corruption, nexus with coal mafia, sexual harassment of women employees, biased approach towards employees etc. INTUC organizing secretary and senior trade union leader KK Singh of New Delhi has launched an indefinite hunger strike against the AGM. However, Sabir has completely sidelined the labour wing of Congress party, and refused to hold any dialogue with the union on any stage.
Singh claimed that Rashtriya Koyla Khadan Majdoor Sangh (INTUC affiliated) is staging agitation since June 10, over corruption, issues of labours and illegal activities going on in the WCL area. Despite 15 days of protests, and 17 days of chain hunger strike, AGM Sabir has refused to have any dialogue with the union. “The management even went on to put pressure on police department to clear our agitation pandal. However, we have not bowed to the pressure tactics and have now launched an indefinite hunger strike,” said Singh. He claimed that even if he is arrested, he would continue his hunger strike in police station.
The agitation notice served to WCL Chandrapur area alleges corruption via supply of poor grade coal to Mahagenco and other government industries, while providing higher grade than designated to private players. The notice also alleges corruption by supply of excess coal to private permit holders in their trucks while showing it less in weight, partiality in promotions, quarter allocation and dealing with allegations against employees, and sexual harassment of women employees.
“When we raised these issues with AGM Sabir, he refused to have any dialogue with INTUC claiming internal dispute over title of union is pending with the court. However, the management is in dialogue with INTUC since last many years and has officially corresponded with the union till the arrival of new AGM. He, however, has particular allergy with INTUC and is adamant about not talking with us,” Singh charged.
Sabir explained that he has got clear instructions from the company management that no official dialogue should be carried out with INTUC. “WCL management has shuted INTUC out of industrial relations following their internal dispute in the court. Therefore I have clear guidelines not to talk with INTUC on any official platform. However, we are ready to hear the grievances of our workers and have held talks with Singh personally on some issues,” he explained.
Singh, who has full backing of Congress party here, said they have membership of one third of employees of WCL in Chandrpaur, and all these people cannot be ignored. He maintained that their hunger strike will continue until Chandrapur area management initiates talks with them.