Workers’ strike hits LPG supply in Kerala

Kochi: The Onam LPG cylinder delivery is yet to become  smooth across the state with the CITU union of delivery boys and the distributors of IOC, BPCL and HPCL failing to come to an agreement on bonus to be paid to delivery boys in several areas  while in two districts it has been  resolved.

According to Mr Joy Kalappura, general secretary of All-Kerala Bharat Gas Distributors Association, the agreed bonus is Rs  7,250 for high-selling outlets, but for the time being all distributors have agreed to pay this amount as bonus, pending final settlement on September 20.

However, Mr K.K. Kalesan, state committee member of CITU-led All-Kerala Gas Agencies Workers Union, said the agreed bonus was Rs  8,126. “Bonus is given for Onam and how can they say that it will be settled on September 20,” he asked.

Both Mr Kalesan and Mr Joy said that the strike was   resolved  in Alappuzha and Thrissur districts fully and in Ernakulam partially. In Pathanamthitta also,  it was  resolved to a large extent but the strike has seriously hit Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kannur districts where talks were going on till Saturday night. In other districts, there are areas where strikes occur, but not on a large scale.

“The strike hit 30 percent of 500 distributors in the state and it is being resolved,” said Mr Joy. The distributors held talks with union leaders directly as the talks between the state co-ordination committee of three LPG companies’ distributors and CITU union held in the presence of Labour Commissioner in the state capital collapsed, said Mr Kalesan.