Meeting on HM deadlock ends with hope

Kolkata, Apr 13(UNI) Raising the hope for a breakthrough in the deadlock over Hindustan Motors, the striking workers today offered cooperation in restoring normalcy, subject to withdrawal of suspension order against their colleagues.

During a bipartite meeting with the West Bengal Government, convened by Labour Minister Mrinal Banerjee, the trade union representatives promised not to obstruct movement of goods from the Uttarpara factory, provided the management revoked suspension order on at least ten of the 40 ''victimised'' workers.

The meeting was called following suspension of work in the Uttarpara factory of Hindustan Motors for an indefinite period.

Representatives of all the five unions, including those from 'Sangrami Sramik Karmachari Union', which was spearheading the agitation were present at the meeting.

''There is a ray of hope following the offer made by the union leaders. I have conveyed the message to the management which is expected to respond by tomorrow,'' Mr Banerjee told reporters.

Though the Government convened a tripartite meeting, the Hindustan Motors management could not participate in it because of the serious condition of one of the officers who was severely beaten up by the agitators a few days ago.

With the strike going on since March 14 and clashes taking place between members of the rival unions, the authorities declared suspension of work in Uttarpara on April eleven.

UNI