Tata Motors declares lockout at Dharwad plant.

Tata Motors, India's biggest commercial vehicles manufacturer, has declared a lockout at its bus manufacturing plant in Karnataka's Dharwad, following a continued strike by workers.

Dissatisfied with the revision in wages and subsequent suspension of a dozen staff members, a section of workers at the plant are alleged to have incited others to disrupt work. The company decided to shut down operations on Saturday at the plant, which makes buses under the Tata Marcopolo brand.

'Every year, the company undertakes an upward wage revision and has continued to do so even in adverse market conditions. Some dissatisfied workers had incited fellow workers to disrupt work, causing substantial financial and customer confidence loss but we continued discussions with them in good faith; despite substantial loss to the company, we took a lenient view of these actions when the workers resumed work,' said a company spokesperson in an emailed response.

'However, with continued disruption, jeopardising the company's operations and reputation,' workers resorted to an 'illegal strike again on January 31. Considering these, we were compelled to resort to a temporary suspension of operations on February 1. In view of not improving the situation, and our apprehension of a congenial peaceful working atmosphere not prevailing, we were forced to declare a lockout from February 6,' the statement said.


ET