Of the approximately 700 field staff employees who handle installations and servicing of elevators, 490 are affiliated to CITU. The last wage settlement expired in 1996. For the first time during negotiations for the new settlement, unions in four regions formed a core group along with the management and presented a combined charter of demands. Among these was a demand for a pension plan for workers.

According to a company spokesperson, in March 1998, the management drew up a draft pension plan that was acceptable to all the parties. Since the negotiations were long drawn, the union had asked for and received an interim hike, which was to be adjusted against the final settlement. An agreement was subsequently signed with all, except the western region, comprising mainly workers inMumbai. According to the spokesperson, the CITU-affiliated faction now wants to back out of the pension plan. The plan is acceptable to the BKS-led faction of the workers.

This has put the plan, accepted by the other unions, in jeopardy. The company has denied delaying the signing of the settlement, saying they have signed it in the other regions, and would be happy to do so in Mumbai. Unions officials were unavailable for comment.