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Strike at Kochi port called off

Staff Reporter

Suspension of employees withdrawn

KOCHI: A flash strike called by the Cochin Port Staff Association (CPSA) was called off on Friday after conciliatory talks between Cochin Port Trust (CPT) officials and representatives of the staff association in the presence of the Regional Labour Commissioner.

A CPT release said all marine operations had been going on smoothly from Friday morning. ``Loyal workers and Indian Navy extended all help to tide over the crisis," it said.

The release claimed that the striking union had regretted their conduct and offered to withdraw the strike unconditionally and the port on its part agreed to withdraw theee suspension orders after observing the formalities as per the rules.

"The days of strike will be treated as dies-non. The CPT will, however, continue its policy of taking strict action to curb indiscipline," the release said. Only one of the trade unions was on strike and the movement of vessels continued to be almost normal at the port.

The last vessel to leave the port on Friday was an oil tanker that left about half-hour behind schedule, said the spokesman before the conciliatory talks had begun. Navy personnel had been pressed into service on Thursday to help two passenger vessels on Thursday.

The striking trade union was protesting against the suspension of five of its members, including its general secretary, by the CPT authorities apparently for indulging in trade union activities during office hours.

Meanwhile, Cochin Thuramugha Thozhilali Union, another trade union at the port, described the strike as ``uncalled for.'' A press release from joint secretary of the union V.H.M. Rafeeq, said that the strike had not affected the operations of the port.

It said that the strike had no impact on the operations of the container terminal being operated by India Gateway Terminals Limited, part of Dubai Ports World. It congratulated the workers who had realised that flash strikes like the one called by the CPSA were harmful to the interest of the port.

Strike notice

Meanwhile, the Cochin Port Employees' Organisation, affiliated to the Water Transport Workers' Federation (CITU), has served a strike notice on CPT authorities on Friday indicating an indefinite strike from March 31 against what the organisation described as "anti-labour action" of the port management.

A release from the organisation accused the CPT authorities of indulging in vindictive action even against leaders of registered trade unions.

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