LABOUR-Right to be Consulted on Computerisation


LABOUR Right to be Consulted on Computerisation DN IN the recent workers' struggle in Voltas the crucial issue was that of Electronic Data Processing (EDP) or computerisation. Had it not been for this issue, agreement would have been reached much earlier than it was. Both the Federation of Voltas Employees and the management took the stand that this was the vital issue. The management tried to bribe the workers by offering to settle the bonus issue provided the Federation accepted the management's unfettered right to use EDP. When this was turned down and the workers stood firm, the management set out to break the organised strength of the workers. But this too failed 'and in the end a settlement was signed which accepted the workers' right to be consulted before EDP was introduced. This, however, is not the end of the struggle. The right to be consulted is useful only to the extent the workers are able to prevent harmful computerisation. Only a vigilant union and united workers can preserve the gains of the struggle.