Trying to settle Marcopolo plant dispute: Karnataka govt

Karnataka government today said it is trying its best to settle the dispute that led to the lockout of workers at Tata Marcopolo Motors plant in Dharwad.

"I have personally intervened in the Marcopolo thing... the management came, some labour leaders also came and met me. There are some disputes and the government is trying its best (to resolve them)," Karnataka Minister for Medium and Large Scale Industry R V Deshpande told reporters here.

One or two conciliation meetings were held through the labour department, but nothing materialised, he informed. "We are working on that."

Earlier this month, a lockout was declared at the Dharwad plant following a strike by workers over wage negotiations.

However, the percentage of workers going on strike was least in Karnataka, the minister said adding "sometimes it happens... but ultimately you should know that the overall environment in Karnataka is good."

Meanwhile, Tata Motors, in a statement, said the meeting called by the Assistant Labour Commissioner as part of its continued efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis has failed.

It also alleged that some self-proclaimed office bearers of 'Krantikari Kamgar Union', an outfit not recognised by the company on technical and legal grounds, had insisted on participating and eventually prevented any meaningful dialogue taking place.

The company further said it was committed to find a long-term and fair solution to the current situation without any compromise on discipline, safety, productivity and quality.

"Rathna Prabha, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries and Commerce) has alleged that some people from outside were instigating the workers at Dharwad. We are trying to resolve that," the Minister said.

The Tata Marcopolo plant in Dharwad employs over 2,500 people and has the capacity to manufacture over 15,000 buses per annum.

The plant rolls out fully-built buses for intra-city and inter-city transportation, including 16 to 54 seater standard buses and 18 to 45 seater luxury and low-floor buses.