Hero Motocorp Ltd Union Decision To Strike On February 22, 2012 Hinges On Wage Talks-Business Standard

Business Standard reported that Hero Motocorp Ltd Workers Union (HMCWU-Gurgaon unit) will consider initiating a hunger strike or abstaining from production if its next round of talks with the management tomorrow remains inconclusive. A union office bearer said that they had over 60 meetings with the management and there has been little progress in the negotiations. If the talks remain inconclusive tomorrow also, they would have to consider sterner measures such as a possible hunger strike or complete stoppage of production. The workers at the Gurgaon unit have been agitating for two months to press ahead with their demand for higher wages. The workers have been sporting black arm-bands and have stopped taking tea and snacks offered by the Company. While the employees are demanding an increment of around INR15,000 in monthly salary spread over a period of three years, the management is reluctant to increase wages beyond INR7,500-9,000 in monthly settlement. The union is now showing signs of disquiet due to little progress in the talks, which have been on for the last six months. A worker at the Gurgaon factory said they have not stopped work, but have been protesting peacefully. But the management is showing no signs of relenting. Last month, workers at the company’s Gurgaon unit were reported to have slowed production operations, which had led to a loss of around 1,200 scooters.