The Hindu : Front Page : Need for harmonious longstanding industrial relations stressed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 07, 2007
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Front Page

Need for harmonious longstanding industrial relations stressed

Special Correspondent

“When The Hindu faced a major problem in 2003 the union rallied as one man”

— Photo: V. Ganesan

GOLDEN JUBILEE: Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu N. Ram receives the golden jubilee souvenir of THE HINDU Office and National Press Employees’ Union from Managing Director N. Murali in Chennai on Tuesday. Union president S. Krishnaswamy is at centre.

CHENNAI: The importance of longstanding harmonious industrial relations was stressed by speakers at a function to mark the golden jubilee of THE HINDU Office and National Press Employees’ Union.

The speakers recalled the contributions made by the union leaders, particularly N.V.N.Somu and N.P. Ramajayam, for setting the pattern of a model employer-employee relations scenario.

Releasing a souvenir brought out by the union, N. Murali, Managing Director of The Hindu, commended the Union for support to the organisation and all stakeholders over the years, especially in times of crisis. In 2003 when the institution had a major problem with the government of the day that wanted to put some directors and others behind bars, the union rallied as one man and its office-bearers and employees took it up as their own personal problem. “I think this is what probably separates The Hindu Union, The Hindu employees from [those of] other organisations,” Mr. Murali said.

Defining moment

The defining moment in the history of the labour union was Somu’s assumption of office as its president (in 1969) and his teaming up with Ramajayam, who had been the general secretary for 32 years. The duo, along with others, without compromising the interests of the employees, managed to get far more than what any aggressive, combative trade unionist, either then or even now, had ever got.

After Somu’s death in 1997, Ramajayam stuck to the values of fairness, balanced approach, tactful dealing and, in a way, gentle persuasion, Mr. Murali said, handing over a car, donated by the members of the union, to Ramajayam’s family.

Tributes to Ramajayam

Receiving the first copy of the souvenir, N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, hailed Ramajayam as an outstanding union leader and human being. “Today, he would have wished us not to grieve, not to mourn but to celebrate the life and work of many people who have contributed to building this fine institution,” Mr. Ram said.

One of the major principles that worked at The Hindu was that when new technology arrived, people were not sacrificed and the management took a clear decision long time ago that there would be no retrenchment.

Congenial environment

Unlike in other media organisations, Mr. Ram said, the management of The Hindu believed that “in a growing organisation, in a congenial environment, we would be able to retrain people and put them in new kinds of work. For this, the key has been the cooperation of the union and its leaders and members.”

S. Krishnaswamy, president of the union, said several Chief Ministers, including Kamaraj, Bakthavatsalam, Annadurai, Mr. Karunanidhi and M.G. Ramachandran, participated in anniversaries of the union.

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