KOCHI
Adhering to the view that the BPCL, Kochi Refinery, was a public utility service, the Kerala High Court has restrained the Cochin Refineries Workers Association (CRWA) and its members from striking work on Wednesday since conciliation talks are on.
This followed a petition filed by the BPCL, Kochi Refinery, seeking that the CRWA and its members be restrained from participating in the 24-hour strike from 7 a.m. on Wednesday or any other day in contravention of the Industrial Disputes Act, pending disposal of the writ petition.
Issuing an order restraining the CRWA and its members from participating in the strike, the Bench of Justice K. Babu said the BPCL, Kochi Refinery, had established a prima facie case for getting interim relief and granted an interim order for two weeks, from Tuesday.
The refinery’s counsel said the Regional Labour Commissioner was conducting conciliation proceedings and the next hearing was due on July 17. But the CRWA was ‘adamant’ on its stand to go on with the strike. He further cited provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 which says that no person employed in a public utility service shall go on a strike during the pendency of conciliation proceedings and seven days after the conclusion of such proceedings.
Published – July 08, 2025 06:12 pm IST
