Coimbatore, Nov 03: With deadlock continuing over bonus issue, the indefinite strike by workers of mills attached to National Textile Corporation (NTC) entered the 16th day today, even as efforts to bring both the trade unions and top management across the table were on. Over 3,000 workers of NTC mills here are on an indefinite strike since October 19, demanding bonus without treating it as recoverable advance from their terminal benefits.

Though the district administration and senior labour department officials held separate talks with the joint action council of trade unions to withdraw the strike, and to facilitate dialogue with top NTC officials at New Delhi, the council refused to heed to the request. According to management sources, they were only following the guidelines from New Delhi and also the provision of payment of the Bonus Act.

Meanwhile, the council said it was awaiting a 'positive signal' from the management for negotiations to find an amicable solution to the contentious issue.

According to council sources, there was possibility of a top NTC official coming down to the city, or the union leaders invited to Delhi for talks in a day or two. A demonstration has also been planned by workers of other sectors in the city on November 05 to express solidarity with the NTC workers, the sources said.

Bureau Report