Maruti workers' strike continues, talks fail

"Talks are still on but the strike continues. We are engaged in constructive discussion with the workers," a senior Maruti Suzuki official told IANS.  According to the official, the production halt at the Manesar plant has cost the automobile major a volume loss of around 10,200 cars, including 600 units on the first day of the strike June 4.

"We have suffered a production loss of 10,200 units since the start of the strike. The car models which are affected include Swift, Swift Dzire, A-Star and SX4," the official said.
Meanwhile, the total loss has been pegged at around Rs.320 crore (over $65 million).

"We want an immediate end to the strike, so that production can be restarted thereafter," the official said, adding that the company is looking at several ways to placate the striking workers.

Meanwhile, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) general secretary Anil Kumar told IANS that if the workers' demands are not met at the earliest then unions in other automobile companies would also halt production at their facilities in a show of solidarity.

"The strike is still on. It's all due to the Haryana labour commission which does not want to see a new union being formed. If the workers' demands are not fulfilled, or at least some compromise is not reached, unions in other areas like Dharuhera and Gurgaon facilities too will join in," he said.

According to Kumar, the decision by other automobile companies' unions would be taken by late Tuesday.  Maruti's facility at Manesar produces its bestseller hatchbacks and sedans like the Swift, Swift Dzire, A-Star and SX4.

The majority of the automobile giant's production takes place at its remaining three plants in Gurgaon district. The Japanese automobile giant Suzuki Motor Corporation-promoted company has the largest chunk of the Indian domestic car market with sales of 12,71,005 vehicles during fiscal 2010-11, including export of 1,38,266 units.