Truckers fearful of reduction in freight charges

Tribune News Service

Solan, August 18

Truckers engaged in transportation work are fearful of facing a cut in the freight charges from the new management of Ultra Tech Cement which had taken over two plants of JP Cements at Bagha and Bagheri.

Truckers said they were yet to get transportation work for longer distances and as many as 600 multi-axle trucks of Mangal Transport Society alone were lying idle for weeks. Since liabilities on account of multi-axle trucks were larger they were demanding work, confirmed Surinder Thakur from Mangal Transport Society.

There were as many as 3,500 truckers which were engaged in transportation work with the company though the number of multi-axle trucks was barely 600. Truckers, which earlier transported clinker to Roorkee, may be given work only for Ambala and Karnal as per the talks held with them, confided truckers.

Vice President, Ultra Tech Cements, Joginder Sheru, said they were in the process of settling various operations like manufacturing and transportation. Earlier the material already stored was being transported. He said no worker had been laid by the new plant.

Though the Bagha plant had resumed manufacturing operations on Wednesday, workers on Thursday stuck work on certain issues. They were fearful that the new management could change the service rules and this would harm their interests. Issues like probable downsizing were also weighing on their minds.

The Solan faction of Central Industrial Trade Union, meanwhile, said that the rights of the contractual workers engaged by the company’s Bagheri unit were being overlooked. The CITU leaders including secretary, Solan district, ND Ranaut alleged that workers engaged in various sections like loading and packing of the Bagheri plant had not been given salary for the last three months and they would protest against this.

Workers were also contemplating approaching Labour Commissioner if their talks with the company officials fail to yield the desired results.