Trade Unions in Automobile Sector in India
Trade Unions: Their issues and concerns in the
Indian Automobile Sector
Company
LOGO
INTRODUCTION
Indian Automotive Sector
Employment to
Projected
Growing at
Contributing to
33.9% per year
5% of GDP
annual car sales of more than 9 million
by 2020
Turnover of
more than USD
35 billion
13 million employees consisting of both local and migrant workers
Majority workers from poverty affected zones and only earning member of the family Hyundai Motor India Limited
Strike at Chennai Plant in Oct, 2008
Demand for recognition of HMEU which is a registered union but is not recognized by the Hyundai Motor India
Ltd management
Three-year wage settlement was negotiated with another union, the United Union of Hyundai Employees, which was recognized by the company
Hyundai Motor India Limited
Strike at Chennai Plant in Oct, 2011
More than 300 workers took part in the strike
There were three demands by the Union
Reinstatement of 27 workers sacked in a previous strike in 2008
Wage agreement should be re-negotiated
Recognize the CITU affiliated HMEU union
Finally, after a tripartite discussion between management, union and
Labour Commissioner, the strike was called off; union agreed with the wage negotiation and agreed to management’s conditions
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India
Triggers for the strike:
Dec 2004 – Demand to increase their wages
Management rejected the demand
The workers tried to form a trade union
A worker was accused of trying to start a union and was allegedly hit by a manager. Four other workers who sided with the beaten man were sacked for "undisciplined behavior in the factory”
The Blame Game
Allegations and counter allegations took place
Management
held
the
workers
responsible
for
indiscipline
The workers accused management of preventing formation of a trade union at HMSI
Events
June
Indian Automobile Sector
Company
LOGO
INTRODUCTION
Indian Automotive Sector
Employment to
Projected
Growing at
Contributing to
33.9% per year
5% of GDP
annual car sales of more than 9 million
by 2020
Turnover of
more than USD
35 billion
13 million employees consisting of both local and migrant workers
Majority workers from poverty affected zones and only earning member of the family Hyundai Motor India Limited
Strike at Chennai Plant in Oct, 2008
Demand for recognition of HMEU which is a registered union but is not recognized by the Hyundai Motor India
Ltd management
Three-year wage settlement was negotiated with another union, the United Union of Hyundai Employees, which was recognized by the company
Hyundai Motor India Limited
Strike at Chennai Plant in Oct, 2011
More than 300 workers took part in the strike
There were three demands by the Union
Reinstatement of 27 workers sacked in a previous strike in 2008
Wage agreement should be re-negotiated
Recognize the CITU affiliated HMEU union
Finally, after a tripartite discussion between management, union and
Labour Commissioner, the strike was called off; union agreed with the wage negotiation and agreed to management’s conditions
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India
Triggers for the strike:
Dec 2004 – Demand to increase their wages
Management rejected the demand
The workers tried to form a trade union
A worker was accused of trying to start a union and was allegedly hit by a manager. Four other workers who sided with the beaten man were sacked for "undisciplined behavior in the factory”
The Blame Game
Allegations and counter allegations took place
Management
held
the
workers
responsible
for
indiscipline
The workers accused management of preventing formation of a trade union at HMSI
Events
June