Box movement at Cochin Port affect as strike continues

Kochi: Movement of containers to and from Cochin Port Trust has come to a standstill following the indefinite strike called by the trailer crew belonging to different trade unions from Sunday midnight.

The workers belonging to CITU, Cochin Thuramugha Thozhilali Union (CTTU) had struck work demanding the trailer owners to revise the wages following the expiry of the wage agreement. The striking unions had also raised various demands, which included introduction of token system for trailers, solving problems at the pre-stage area of the container terminal etc.

Senior officials in the India Gateway Terminal said that there was no arrival of containers from any part of the State due to the strike and at present there is only 1,300 teus in the terminal, which is sufficient for operations in the next two days. If the strike continues, the operations in the terminal will be affected.

According to officials, these kinds of strikes will send negative signals to the trade at a time when the port is on the threshold of quantum jump in volumes. The officials pointed out that several mainline vessels are enlisting Kochi as a port of call and they would definitely shy away and might reconsider their decision. Any kind of action, which stops the trade flow, could not be accepted to the importers or exporters, the officials added.

However, sources in the container trailer association said that the strike is likely to be withdrawn on Tuesday as they had called the union leaders for a discussion. At a meeting held on Monday among the members, the Association has decided to work out new rates for the hire charges of trailers with the consent of port users.

Meanwhile, the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged all the parties concerned to settle the issues amicably in view of the ambitious projects taken up by the port