After the much talked about Tamil Nadu Assembly election which saw incessant flow of money and materials to bribe voters, political parties have shifted their attention to Neyveli lignite Corporation, one of the largest public sector undertakings in the country, in the fight for recognition for trade unions affiliated with them. There are allegations that employees are paid Rs5,000 for a single vote in the polling to find out recognised unions.
The public sector giant, which employs 11,800 workers, is going to the polls on June 17 to elect recognised trade unions. The first two unions which together poll more than fifty per cent of the total votes would get the status of recognised unions. The management discusses all issues concerning the employees only with the recognised trade unions.
The two major trade unions in NlC are affiliated to the AIADMK and the DMK. “The fight is between the labour Progressive Forum (affiliated to the DMK) and the Anna Thozhilsanga Peravai owing allegiance to the AIADMK.
“There are 11 registered trade unions in the NlC. But the lPF and the ATP are the monopoly unions in the company. The traditional rivalry between the DMK and the AIADMK has extended to the fight for the status of recognised trade union too,” said Jerald, an employee owing allegiance to the INTUC.
Though the election process begins on Saturday with the filing of nominations, distribution of cash and gifts have already begun in NlC, according to K Palanisamy, former general secretary of Tamil Nadu BMS. "last time we saw the unions pumping in Rs 2000 per vote. This time it is alleged that the price of each vote has shot up to Rs 5,000," Palanisamy told The Pioneer.
He said this is an extension of the rivalry between the AIADMK and the DMK which was visible in the assembly election. "Many prominent leaders of the DMK and the AIADMK are camping at Neyveli to supervise the proceedings. After the assembly elections, both the parties have made the NlC election a matter of prestige," said Palanisamy.
A senior Tamil Nadu Congress Committee leader also alleged that the NlC township is witnessing an unprecedented flow of cash as a prelude to the union election. "Since we do have friends both in the AIADMK and the DMK, it is not possible to exactly pinpoint the violators. It is a difficult situation and there is cash flow," said the Congress leader who did not want his name to be quoted.
According to Jerald, the election is held once in every four years. "The recognised unions wield enormous power and influence in the company as well as the management," he said.
The recognised unions have a saying in the appointment of contract labourers as well as regularisation of staff. "One need not elaborate on all these things as it is known all over the country what it likes to be the leader of a trade union. The business of trade union itself has become some kind of union trade," said Palanisamy.
A BMS leader pointed out that the leader of the recognised Railway Union based in Chennai is worth Rs 2000 crore. "Nobody has the courage to question him as he controls a big mafia. He is the one to decide whether the trains should run or not," said the union leader.