Strike woes haunt Maruti's Manesar plant again. 1 DEAD & Production hit

[KarthikK]

Originally Posted by DukeNukem

As the Indian auto market reels in downturn, a shocking incident at Maruti Suzuki's turbulent Manesar plant yesterday caught the industry’s attention.

As of this morning, one person has been reported killed and about 85 others injured in violent clashes between the workers and managers at the plant. This, after an argument between a worker and a managerial staff member took an ugly turn yesterday. The plant, which produces almost 2,000 units daily, was shut down last night and it will remain closed today.


What happened?

The Maruti Suzuki Workers' Union (MSWU) and the plant managers have both come out with their versions of how yesterday's incidents unfolded. According to the Union representatives, the trouble started when a managerial staff member made “casteist” remarks against a worker who responded violently. The worker was then suspended and it irked the Union members who protested against the management.

Meanwhile, the management claims that they were not allowed to take disciplinary actions against the involved worker. The protesting workers instead turned violent, stormed the offices and held many executives and managers hostage. In a statement, Maruti accused the workers of setting ablaze five locations in the plant, which killed one person, who is still unidentified.

Deja Vu

Last year there were three separate instances of labour unrest at the Manesar plant, which accounts for more than 30 per cent of Maruti’s production capacity. The conflict began after Maruti did not recognise their independent labour union. After many negotiations, including intervention by the Haryana government, a resolution was reached and the MSWU was created.

However the company had incurred massive damages due to the unrest. In the 59 days of strike that lasted across five months, the company endured production losses of over 80,000 cars. Financial losses for FY 2011 were estimated at Rs 2,500 crore. After yesterday's events, Maruti will be hoping for a resolution soon to avoid similar losses.

The Manesar plant has a production capacity of 5, 50,000 units annually and produces Maruti’s popular Swift hatchback and Dzire models.


Related thread

MSIL factory strike: Workers deliberately sabotaging the quality of cars.

Just read this in the news feeds a few minutes back - looks like Maruti's factory woes aren't over yet.

Violence at Maruti's Manesar plant; production affected - PTI

The report states that the plant has been shut to control violence. What happens to Swift's waiting periods now, I wonder.
Hope they resolve the issue soon and resume production quickly.

[abhi413]

The news is playing on CNBC TV 18 right now - There has been an incident in MSIL Manesar's Paint Shop - Which was set on fire by a few workers after an altercation with senior management.

A Maruti employee himself confirmed to me that around 50 employees have already had to be taken to nearby hospitals.

I was near MSIL Gurgaon and left work at around 6.30 PM - I know that till then everything was peaceful.

And to think I was at the MSIL Manesar plant just yesterday! The labour woes never seem to end! Gujarat beckons Maruti, surely more than ever before now!!

[souravc]

What a shame ! I really hope that people don't resort to ridiculous tactics of sabotaging cars like the last time - the one who holds the lemon doesn't deserve it ! May good sense prevail

[Ub3r]

With Maruti Swift and Dzire waiting periods sky rocketing gradually ,competitors will look to make the most of the opportunity.

[rajeev k]

It is confirmed that one person died of burn injuries in the altercation.that started when a worker hit a supervisor.

[MutantX]

never ending saga.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/15037593.cms

i think we should have better labour laws to protect the interest of the customers.

[sgiitk]

Whatever be the reason violence (and possibly murder) cannot be condoned. I think the Maruti Unions in Manesar / Haryana are bent upon committing Hara Kiri. This will be a big gain for Maruti, Modiland. They should learn what happened in WB, and even Kanpur. Comrade Ram Asrey and later Mme Shabby (Subhashini) Ali just kuilled off all indistry on what was once the Manchester of the East.

[download2live]

Again the Manesar is in news for wrong reasons.
No matter who is at fault, a person killed?
Not acceptable.
If working conditions are not good then for god sake quit.

Where is Mr Sonu Gujjar?

Mr Modi must have already mailed MSIL with subject line "Welcome to Gujarat".

[AWD]

Maruti had just about managed to get the waiting periods for its diesel vahicles down, expect them to swell up again. All depends on how long the stalemate continues or local Hooda Govts. stance.

[apachelongbow]

Problematic states for investments are typical ones like Haryana, MP, West Bengal and Orrisa. Consider Maruti's case. Repeated union baazi and politicing (with help of local netas) is creating manufacturing and supply chain bottlenecks for the country's largest car maker. Its so easy for Maruti to shift to better managed states like Gujrat and prosper peacefully.


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[hrman]

Very very sad state of affairs. Violence in any form is not pardonable at all.
Hope more arrests are made and the police locks up the miscreants and throws away the key.
And also unconditionally dismiss them from service with no compensation.

[Sommos]

This is surely very bad news for MSIL. In the morning paper I read 40 persons were injured and one died of burn injury.
The issue might take a worse turn today if not tackled properly. Also there is reported loss due to fire in the paint shop and the administration wing. This might mean a loss of production before the festive season.
I dont know why this is happening in this particular plant of MSIL.

[Gansan]

^^Can the problem be viewed merely as black and white? MSIL as angels and the workers as archetype demons? What about the in-between shades? Why does this problem refuse to go away?

[aseem]

Originally Posted by apachelongbow

Problematic states for investments are typical ones like Haryana, MP, West Bengal and Orrisa. Consider Maruti's case. Repeated union baazi and politicing (with help of local netas) is creating manufacturing and supply chain bottlenecks for the country's largest car maker. Its so easy for Maruti to shift to better managed states like Gujrat and prosper peacefully.

Please dont chastise the entire state of Haryana without knowing the details about the incident. Companies outsource to countries/states that are cheap and have no labor laws. Thats a fight to being the bottom of the pit. I hope we stress more on quality and value creation and not focus on cheap labor and poor labor laws.

I dont know the details about the incident, but saying that people in Haryana are not hard workers is heavy handed and biased. Has it occured to you why MUL is constantly the only one being effected? Maybe they need to do self introspection and improve their working environment.

[CARDEEP]

What is happening in MS Manesar is pure unionism of the decaying Communist Cadre, who are just clinging to Labour Unions for survival, lest they won't have anything to remain in news.
What happened yesterday (one person burned to death & others of management cadre injured... few could be grievously injured) is just an extension of these petty communists clinging to regular jobs at one of the biggest manufacturing facility in India.

To some extent MS management is guilty of not trying for long term peace by following the Divide & Rule policy (they tried to negotiate separately with different labour unions), which has resulted in this.

But, as per TOI, the dispute began when one of the workers was made a casteist remark by the supervisor. But, this is a petty issues, for which the supervisor could have been arrested & actually thrown out of job. However, instead of letting the law take its own course, the workers took things in own hand... & look what sin they have committed.

I smell conspiracy, rather than an unfortunate incident in this case.

Originally Posted by apachelongbow

Problematic states for investments are typical ones like Haryana, MP, West Bengal and Orrisa. Consider Maruti's case. Repeated union baazi and politicing (with help of local netas) is creating manufacturing and supply chain bottlenecks for the country's largest car maker. Its so easy for Maruti to shift to better managed states like Gujrat and prosper peacefully.

@apachelongbow why single out these 4 states, haven't you read about the labour trouble in Detroit of India (Auto-hub in Tamil Nadu) & problems faced by Tyre Manufacturing units due to repeated strikes. Then there are frequent "bandhs" in in many states for one or other political reasons (consider AP in the last few months). The situation in Kerala, Maharashtra, UP, Assam & even Gujarat isn't very good. And there are few backward regions like Jharkhand, Bihar, HP, Whole of Eastern India, Northern Karnataka, Eastern Maharashtra& many Maoist Infested states is really bad. Add to this the live hell on earth (which was once heaven on earth) J&K, where only terrorism industry thrives.

Why single out one or few states, when this phenomena is common to all across the nation, only because the politicians.

Unfortunately, one is happy being a poodle (bring bad name to his race), other is busy nursing wounds of failed uprising & another is happy after demolishing a sacred place .

God save India