CASE STUDY

Nature's Dilemma " Sriram Industries" is a mechanical engineering establishment situated in

Bombay. It has 15,000 workmen employed in first shift between 8-16 hours. This is a major shift

and known as general shift. The workmen of Sriram Industries report for work from distance

places such as Pune, Virar and also Karjat, which are miles away from the place of work. The

workers travel by Central Railway, Western Railway (Suburban Services) and by BEST buses

(BEST is the local Municipal bus transport organisation). Some also travel by petrol driven

vehicles or their own bicycle. A small number staying in surrounding areas of the factory, report

for duty on foot. On 27 June 1990, there was a very heavy downpour, which is not uncommon in

Bombay. Vast areas were submerged under water. Central and western sub urban railway

services, therefore, were completely dislocated. As a result of the heavy rains, train services were

suspended between 7 - 8 am. BEST buses were less frequently run and in some areas there was

no bus service at all. A few timekeepers who somehow managed to attend took attendance.

It was found that out of the total complement, 4000 attended in time, 2600 attended two hours

late, 4800 attended four hours late and the remaining 3600 did not attend. As was obvious, neither

the management nor the workmen was responsible for the aforesaid happening and the trade

union, operating in the establishment requested the management to deal sympathetically with the

employees.

They requested that since it was beyond the control of workmen, even those who could not attend

should not be marked absent. The union leader had produced a certificate from Railway

authorities and also BEST authorities about the complete dislocation between 7-8.30 am and a

partial dislocation till 2.30 pm. As will be seen from the case, 4000 employees worked for the

whole day, 2600 worked for six hours, 4800 worked for four hours only and 3600 did not report

for duty at all. The issue was how to adjust the wages for the day.

The General Manager called a meeting of the officers to discuss the issue. It was found that a

good number of officers who stayed in long distance suburbs or were staying in remote areas

could not also attend to work. Some of the officers who participated in the meeting, opined that

'no work no pay' should be the only principle and at best the only thing that the management

should do is not to take any disciplinary action as such. Others expressed different views and

there was no near consensus even in the meeting. The General Manager adjourned the meeting

without coming to any decision.

Relation between the management and the three unions operating in the company were generally

satisfactory. Only one of the three unions that had mainly white coloured staff as members had a

legalistic approach in all matters and was not easily satisfied.

1. How would you sort this issue out?