Pune: Over 630 Workers of Walchandnagar Company Stage Hunger Strike for Wage Agreement

Indapur, 11th December 2023: Over 630 workers at the Walchandnagar Industries in Walchandnagar, responsible for manufacturing critical equipment for prominent Indian space missions like Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan, Mangalyaan, and Suryayaan, are currently on a hunger strike. The workers have been on strike for the past 20 days, protesting against the management’s behaviour and demanding a timely salary increase agreement.

The workers, part of the IMD Workers Coordinating Union, initiated the strike on November 22, and as of Monday (11th December), it marked the 20th day of their peaceful protest. The hunger strike is staged for an hour each day, with the workers congregating in front of the union office to discuss their grievances.

Kapil Gaikwad, President of the IMD Labor Coordination Union, and General Secretary Shahaji Dabde shed light on the workers’ concerns. They mentioned that the salary increase agreement, which spans three years, faces delays from the management’s end. The negotiation process deliberately prolongs the agreement, causing uncertainty for workers who are left without a contract for an extended period.

In contrast, the management routinely provides salary increments to its employees every year without such delays. Notably, the management awarded a substantial pay raise for the second time to its employees in July 2023. However, the workers have been awaiting a resolution for their wage hike agreement, which expired 16 months ago, despite 21 meetings taking place without a solution.

The workers also expressed discontent with the management for withholding three months’ worth of salaries and other dues. Management officials handed out two months’ salaries in a single day, exacerbating the workers’ frustration.

The union leaders, Kapil Gaikwad and Shahaji Dabde raised concerns about an alleged attempt to spread rumours and create divisions among the workers. They stated that there is a concerted effort to create discord among the workers through misinformation. Despite these attempts, the union remains strong and unified, emphasizing the principle of collective action. The union is resolute in its demands and vows not to resume work until the workers’ demands, including the wage hike agreement, are addressed. The leaders assured workers that the organization stands in solidarity with them, urging patience during this critical period.