Workmen at Mahindra & Mahindra?s Nashik plant have reduced their demand for higher wages. FE has learned from union sources that the workmen are now demanding an average increase of R20,000 across various levels against their earlier demand of R36,000.
?We have brought down our demand and are hopeful that the management will come up with an amicable agreement by April 15,? a source in the Mahindra Employee Union said. He added that the workmen do not want to go on strike again and are confident that the M&M management will give them news to cheer on ?Gudi Padwa?, the Marathi New Year.
Pravin Shah, chief executive officer, M&M, said, ?We do not have anything more to add than what we have informed.? The company in a statement on March 8 said, ?The management and union will continue their ongoing dialogue so as to reach a mutual agreement.?
The workmen had gone on tool-down strike on March 5 demanding increase in wages with immediate effect, since their three-year wage agreement had expired on February 6. They had sent a notice to the management threatening to go on strike from March 11 but suspension of two workmen led to they striking from the very day.
The workmen called off the strike on March 7 after the management promised to finalise an agreement on April 15 and that till then the earlier wage agreement would continue for them. The Nashik plant employs of 2,850 permanent and 1,000 temporary workers. According to M&M?s statement on March 6, the strike led to ?loss of production of around 500 vehicles till date.? The revenue losses are seen in excess of R50 crore, according to sources. M&M produces sports utility vehicles including Xylo, Scorpio, Bolero, pick-ups and sedan Verito at the Nashik plant. The plant makes 14-15% of its total standalone turnover of M&M.