The strike is reminiscent to some of the UAW sit down strikes during 1936-37 in the U.S.
More than 1,000 workers at the General Motors Halol plant in Gujurat State, India have been on strike for the last three weeks in an increasingly bitter struggle that has seen the workers forcibly ejected from the plant after the government declared the strike illegal. The General Motors India strike was reminiscent of UAW sit down strikes during 1936-37 in Michigan. The UAW has thus far not responded to my multiple requests for comment and clarification.
Last fall the workers successfully struck at the Halol for an increase in pay, which is now between 47 or 92 cents and hour, depending on a worker’s temporary or full time status for a 45 hour week.
At issue this time at the India plant, which makes Chevrolet Cruze and Aveo models, is GM management asking for a 20% increase in daily production goals. Management is suspending and relocating striking workers while hiring non-union workers or “scabs.” The strike is being led by the Gujurat Kamdar Mandal union.
There are 800 regular full-time workers at the Halol plant and 800 temporary workers-who do the exact same jobs, but have no rights and are paid 47 cents an hour. A similar thing is now occurring in the U.S. where new hire UAW workers are being paid $14 an hour at plants, rather than $24 or $28 for veteran workers. The union in India wants the 800 temps to be hired as regular full-time workers, be able to join the union and paid at the hire rate.
Health and safety issues are also being raised. More than 269 autoworkers at the GM Halol are said to be suffering permanent spinal cord injuries due to constant heavy lifting without ergonomic standards, according to the union. The Factory Act in India places a cap on how much weight a worker can manually lift, which is set at no higher than 44 pounds.
However, the law places no limit on how much lifting a worker can be required to complete during their shift. Some workers are constantly lifting heavy car doors, tires, steering columns and other auto parts, which in U.S. plants are moved by machines during worker installation.
A General Motors spokesman said the company continues to work with the local authorities, employees and the union to resolve the issues.
