Team Herald
VASCO: The Workers Union of Western India Shipyard Limited (WISL) on Thursday claimed they will not allow the WISL management to impose its decision to suspend operations from Friday.
Addressing the media after a crucial meeting with WISL workers on Thursday evening, Union leader Ajit Singh Rane claimed that all 350 odd workers have decided not to obey the notice. He said the company in the notice issued on Tuesday made wrong allegations against the workers and by issuing the notice without taking the workers into confidence has taken the government and workers for granted.
“We have unanimously decided not to obey to the suspension of work notice issued by the WISL management. It is sad that the management has accused the workers of stopping work through protests and strikes, this is false and baseless. We were not on strike, but were holding demonstrations for nonpayment of salaries. Also it is a matter of record that the workers have cooperated with the WISL management and have been trying to restart the company for the last eight months and efforts will continue, but we cannot
allow the company to shut down operations on fictitious grounds,” Rane said.
He added, “As per the law they (WISL) should come up with proper proposal before the workers and only after taking the workers into confidence could have issued such a notice.”
He added, “If they try to use force to remove us this time, then we, along with people of Vasco, will launch a statewide protest.”
WISL workers union leader Alexander Pacheco said, “We condemn the action of the company management for issuing this notice. We will not all the company to shut down operations and will continue to report to duty, no matter what. Also we have divided ourselves into different groups and all these groups will be reporting to duty in shifts, so as to prevent the company officials from locking the gates.”
