The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Visakhapatnam News : Port unions firm as strike enters seventh day

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 01, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Port unions firm as strike enters seventh day

By Our Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM, JULY 31. The Visakhapatnam Port authorities on Saturday resumed cargo-handling operations by deploying port and private pool workers even as the striking Dock Labour Board (DLB) employees continued their strike for the seventh day.

Several rounds of talks initiated by the management with the representatives of the Visakhapatnam Harbour and Port Workers' Union and the Visakhapatnam DLB and Dock Workers' Union before the Regional Labour Commissioner to find a solution failed to evoke any response.

Talks in progress

Meanwhile, the union leaders were continuing talks with the Labour Department officials till late evening in the wake of a threat by the port management to declare the strike `illegal.'

The workers are seeking deployment of DLB workers in the two private berths allotted to Gammon India under Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) scheme. The unions had turned down outright certain offers made by the management.

During the talks, the management offered to examine within 45 days whether the new private berths came within the vicinity of dock area and till such time, ask the BOT operator not to bring vessels.

The management also offered to sort out problems with regard to merger of the DLB with the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) in three months.

Cargo handling begins

In a press note, the port said that the management had started loading and unloading operations in the larger interests of the economy and renewed its appeal to the striking unions.

As on date, six ships were at the berth and 13 vessels were waiting at the roads. Out of these, five were ready for cargo handling.

Stir to continue

Asked to comment on Saturday's development, the Visakhapatnam Port Employees' Union leader, D.K. Sarma, said they would continue their stir till the demands were met.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News Update

Stories in this Section

Port unions firm as strike enters seventh day

`Vanilla crop ideal for north coastal districts'

VUDA field offices to function from tomorrow

Lions Club to adopt schools, organise medical camps

Bank to issue credit card to ryots

Settibalijas seek Cabinet berths

Navy to hold JCM

Around the City

In Visakhapatnam Today