Nine cargo workers terminated

Nine workers engaged in cargo work at Chennai airport have reportedly been terminated for being part of a union.

Vahidha Nizam, secretary of AITUC and president of Chennai Vimana Nilaya Cargo Thozhilalargal Sangam, said hundreds of workers are employed in the cargo area of Chennai airport, and that a significant number of them are part of the sangam.

Nearly a month ago, the employees sent a letter to AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Ltd (AAICLAS) — which manages cargo operations at Chennai airport — and to its contractor who provides manpower.

“We informed AAICLAS and its contractor that there is a union here. It was only a letter of intimation. We wanted to have a cordial relationship with them. But soon after that letter reached the contractor, they terminated nine employees whose names were mentioned in the letterhead. These employees have faced the wrath of the management for the simple reason that they formed a union. The termination of employees is in gross violation of their constitutional rights. As per Section 5 of the Industrial Disputes Act, it amounts to ‘unfair labour practice’ that is a punishable offence,” Ms. Nizam said.

She noted that despite repeated attempts to reach out to the contractor, there has been no response. “We spoke to AAICLAS, which says this is between the workers and the contractor, and that it cannot intervene in the matter. But AAICLAS is the principal employer. It can speak to the contractor, resolve the issue, and get the workers reinstated,” Ms. Nizam added.

M. Murugan, general secretary of Chennai Vimana Nilaya Cargo Thozhilalargal Sangam and one of the employees who lost his job, said the previous contractors never objected to the formation of a union.