Handle with care

The crippling port and dock workers' strike at 11 central government-run ports need never have taken place. Had the government and union l...

The crippling port and dock workers8217; strike at 11 central government-run ports need never have taken place. Had the government and union leaders had the grit to stay with the negotiation process it ought to have been possible to thrash things out. What is involved after all are wage negotiations and these have been carried on fitfully but with some success, in between the distractions of elections and border conflicts, since the middle of 1998.

According to Rajnath Singh, minister of surface transport, only six issues remain in dispute, agreement having been reached on a majority of others. This does not at all suggest that the point of breakdown in the process had been reached. On the contrary, progress so far was a sign that mutual understanding was possible and should have encouraged both sides to continue talking.

Singh expressed surprise that port and dock workers were called out on strike. What appears to have happened at the last meeting which was protracted is the minister tried to avoid giving the unions an outright no8217; on their outstanding demands and stalled for time. Perhaps scenting dilatory tactics, the leadership of the federation of five unions decided to hurry things on by applying pressure. It would not be the first time that a lack of frankness on one side and a misreading of the situation on the other has triggered a strike. What is important is to end this wasteful, futile strike and go back to finding a via media. That is why the unions should promptly take up the minister8217;s offer to continue talks and call off the strike.Although it is legitimate to strike for higher wages, union leaders should realise other avenues have not been exhausted and will be more productive.

The only way to resolve this dispute is through compromise. But to try to narrow differences only after inflicting losses on the ports and economy is foolishness. The government on its part will need to do something quickly to restore confidence in its role as a negotiating partner. One thing the government should not do is develop a siege mentality and confuse the port strike with the other major strike taking place concurrently, the one in UP.

The objectives in each case are very different. Port and dock workers for all their faults do pull their weight and are not protesting the modernisation of ports whereas striking UP workers are not known for the most part to do an honest day8217;s work and are opposing efforts to restructure the State Electricity Board. The strike in UP should be regarded as a challenge to the government8217;s authority by vested interests. The port strike falls in the category of routine tactics during wage negotiations.

Even so, enough damage has been done. Petroleum and other essentials are being moved thanks to the Indian Navy but general cargo is not and that hurts the economy. Matters are at a crossroads just now between escalation and a return to good sense. Even as there are moves to widen the strike, incidents of gratuitous violence against striking workers have taken place. None of this helps to improve the atmosphere. A little wisdom and goodwill would end this unnecessary strike.