2 days ago
HC restrains refinery workers from going ahead with strike plan
Kochi: High court has restrained Cochin Refineries Workers Association (CRWA) from going ahead with its proposed strike for a period of two weeks. The interim order was issued by Justice K Babu on a petition filed by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), Kochi Refinery, located at Ambalamugal in Kochi.
The association had issued a notice proposing a 24-hour strike from 7am on Wednesday to 7am on Thursday, which led BPCL to approach HC challenging the legality of the notice. During hearing, BPCL submitted that regional labour commissioner (central) has initiated conciliation proceedings, with the first session held on July 3 and the next scheduled for July 17. Despite the ongoing proceedings, the association maintained its decision to proceed with the strike.
On examining the submissions, HC observed that under Section 22(1)(d) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, employees in a public utility service are prohibited from striking during the pendency of conciliation proceedings before a conciliation officer, and for seven days after their conclusion. The court also noted that the central govt has declared the services rendered by BPCL Kochi Refinery as a public utility service.
In light of these facts, HC held that the proposed strike was in violation of statutory provisions and issued an interim order restraining the association from proceeding with it for the next two weeks.
