Workers at the Samsung factory in Chennai went on a strike in protest against suspension orders issued to three office bearers of the newly registered union — CITU-backed Samsung India Thozhilalargal Sangam (Sangam).
Sangam sources claimed around 1,000 workers are on strike but a company spokesperson said the number was around 500.
Similarly, Sangam sources said production was affected but the company spokesperson said it was normal. “If 1,000 workers were on strike, production would have been affected,” said sources.
The plant at Sunguvarchatram in Sriperumbudur Industrial Park mainly manufactures consumer appliances like washing machines and air conditioners, and certain components for supply to the company’s Noida plant.
Multiple sources in the Sangam confirmed that the strike began on Wednesday with a few employees associated with the Sangam taking part but it became large in scale on Thursday. A meeting between the Sangam and the management with the Tamil Nadu Labour Department did not end the stalemate, they said.
Commenting on the strike, a company spokesperson said Samsung does not condone any unlawful actions by employees that disrupt the industrial peace at the workplace. The company has filed official complaints with the relevant authorities against certain workers who have violated this policy. They will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action following a formal enquiry and have been suspended to protect the work environment and other workers. This legitimate measure was taken in accordance with all applicable Indian laws, the spokesperson said.
“Despite the illegal action by some, most of our workers remain dedicated in ensuring that normal business operations continue. We continue to make efforts towards a collective agreement with our workers to resolve the issues and for this we remain open to a dialogue facilitated by the government. We have not forced any worker to either join the worker committee or leave the union. Claims by the union contrary to the above are false and misleading,” the spokesperson said.
Second instance
The strike comes after the month-long strike by nearly 1,100 workers (out of the total 1,800 in the factory) seeking wage increase and the right to form a union backed by CITU. It was called off in October. This was after representatives of the management and the striking workers held conciliation negotiations before Labour Welfare Department officers.
In January, the Tamil Nadu Labour Department registered the Sangam. The issuance of registration came after the Madras High Court on December 6 directed the Registrar of Trade Unions to take a decision within six weeks on an application filed on June 25, 2024 for registration of the Sangam.
