Tata Motors plans to resume production at its Dharwad bus plant in Karnataka, India, following negotiations in which the workers in dispute committed to not disrupt production. Production at the plant is expected to start today (7 March). The discussions between workers and the company management were conducted by the state's labour department. "In view of the larger interest of all the company's stakeholders, the management of Tata Marcopolo Motors has taken a pragmatic view of the situation and decided to lift the lockout," reports Business Standard, citing a Tata Motors spokesperson. Meanwhile, more workers resumed work at Tata's Sanand car manufacturing plant in Gujarat, where the state government has prohibited strikes. According to a Business Standard report, the number of workers who have resumed work at the plant has reached 40, including the 25 workers who returned earlier last week .
Significance: Both reports are positive for Tata Motors, which has traditionally enjoyed cordial relations with workers but has struggled in recent months. Fearing damage to property, the company declared a lockout at the Dharwad plant, which makes buses under the Tata Marcopolo brand. The workers' action stemmed from a dispute about changes to salaries and the suspension of some staff. Similar issues are involved at the Sanand plant, where the state government had to intervene for operations to resume . Although the plant is yet to see the return of all workers, the government's intervention is likely to result in more workers resuming work in coming days. Tata's management could take legal action against workers if they do not resume operations.
