Cargo traffic hit by trailer drivers' strike
The strike was called as reconciliation talks convened by the Labour Commissioner Muralidharan Nair failed to resolve the issue.
Kochi: The cargo traffic from the International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam in Kochi was hit on Thursday due to the indefinite strike launched by container trailer drivers. The trade union coordination committee representing 1,500 drivers belonging to 10 different trade unions had called for a strike from Wednesday midnight demanding reforms in service rules, fair wages and proper parking facilities.
The strike was called as reconciliation talks convened by the Labour Commissioner Muralidharan Nair failed to resolve the issue. A meeting held by the district collector with union leaders and other officials to find a solution also failed to break the deadlock.
The authorities concerned failed to honour the promises made including the provision of proper parking facilities for trucks along with other amenities for drivers and other members of the crew. “It has been a long-standing demand and the authorities have promised to provide the facilities within six months”, said the drivers.
“The strike by trailer drivers and cleaners will create a hindrance to the movement of cargo through the Cochin Port and that would cause serious damage to the reputation of the container terminal. We request the unions to withdraw the strike immediately in view of the financial year coming to an end and the assembly elections”, said Abraham Philip, president of the Cochin Custom House Agents Association. The matter could be resolved after a new state government came to power, he added.