Renault Nissan recognises internal employees' union, to select members

CHENNAI: Renault Nissan India has recognised an internal employees union, which will soon replace the current five-member Renault Nissan Works Council (RNWC) at its Oragadam plant in the outskirts of Chennai.

Sources said the company has sent out an internal communication in the plant facilitating a secret ballot to choose employee representatives, who will then be part of an internal union. The company has also indicated it will recognize this employee body.

Renault Nissan's current five-member Works Council was formed in October 2014. Ever since then, there had been demands to increase representation in that body so that it better represented the factory workers. As per the new decision, the RNWC will mobilise members for the new employees' union and conduct a secret ballot through which a 10-member committee will be selected.

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Another 20-member union committee will be nominated and together these two committees will represent the main general body of members.

Sources say part of the reason why the company has decided to recognize an internal union is to prevent aggressive trade unionism from entering the factory premises.

Renault recognizes employee unions in many plants across the globe. Nissan too has recognized the employees' union at its South African plant

"The developments in the factory, where the militant United Labour Front was trying to barge in, though so far they have not managed to consolidate a foothold, could have prompted the decision to recognize an internal union," said an industry source.

Renault recognizes employee unions in many plants across the globe. Nissan too has recognized the employees' union at its South African plant.

The Renault Nissan plant in Oragadam currently has 3400 permanent workers, 1200 contract labour, 400 apprentices, 600 trainees and 2000 managers and assistant managers. Sources say ULF has been trying to establish a foothold in the Oragadam region though so far its representation is fairly limited.

Labour trouble has plagued many automobile factories in the Oragadam and Sriperumbudur region.