This is a case study covers the oil sectors officers union called OSOAs (Oil Sector Officers Association)

charter of demand and the outcome of it. The Oil Sector Officers Association (OSOA), an amalgamation of officers' unions from 14 state-run oil firms, had submitted a 13-point charter with a Major Concern on Salary hike & changes in their terms of employment: OSOA claimed that the average wage hike is only 17 percent and the government was hoodwinking the people by saying that it was between 55 to 149 percent. The demand charter also included: 1) Demands to categorize of all oil sector PSUs to the highest A+ category entitling workers to the best salary available for a government-sector company, 2) Removal of 50-per cent ceiling on perks and allowances, 3) 50 per cent dearness allowance (DA) merger in line with central government employees, 4) Five-year periodicity of wage revision, introduction of open ended payscales. OSOA President Amit Kumar put forward unions charter demands to management and stake holders like state and central Govt. He signed the charter of demands and led the entire negotiation process with various agencies. Management took some time to look at the demands and asked association to give some time to come backweeks passed months passed and management kept delaying the process either by not reacting on demands or by asking the Association to wait. At the same time management was coaching, counseling and even used the informal channel of communication to assess their plan of action. As the response from the government/management was not coming in the union initiated the following Protest to ensure the management took notice of their demands: 1) Gate meetings where Association members got together at the one of the OIL company administrative office gate during the working hours and burnt an effigy of the petroleum minster & MD of corporations. 2) Union resorted to protest by wearing black bands to show they are unhappy These protest resulted in management initiating a dialogue with the Association representatives but the discussions were futile & created more unrest among the officers. The association then asked its members to work to rule by not cooperating with other functions & divisions. They brought down their productivity, fixed office timings & provided no support or help to others. The next step of the union to build pressure on the government was by taking mass leaves. As a last resort to their efforts to bring government to knees OSOA

announced in Dec08 last week that they would go on an indefinite strike from 7 January, over the "unkept promises" by the government on their salary demands. The Officers Association went on the indefinite strike beginning January 7, in protest against minuscule hike in wages, a claim that has been contested by the Union Government. The government refused to accept our demand for a pay hike over and above the pay committee recommendations. Accordingly we stick to the plan to go on indefinite strike along with 12 other oil sector officers associations beginning January 1, announced the General Secretary of the officers association. Delhi high court declared the strike as illegal however the association went ahead with the strike. In a statement, the ministry of petroleum and natural stated that there is no justification for the Oil Sector Officers Association to go on strike. Such strike has already been declared illegal by the Hon'ble High Court. The nation cannot afford the strike in the Oil Sector as it can cause severe hardship to the citizens and can cripple normal life. The Oil Sector Officers must appreciate the steps taken by the government to look into their grievances, if any, and hence, they should not resort to any agitation in the larger public interest Impact of the strike Two major Oil corporations suffered loss of production after officers of state oil companies went on strike. Their gas output fell by 66 percent, while crude oil production declined to 270,000 barrels a day from 350,000 barrels. This indefinite strike by more than 50,000 employees compounded the impact of a similar nationwide protest by truckers, demanding that the government to reduce fuel prices and waive toll charges for six months. Various gas supplies were shut as a result of the strike. The worst hit of the strike were vehicle owners, public transport and school children who use school buses, plus power, steel and fertilizer plants that need gas and oil supplies. Petrol pumps were running dry resulting in serpentine queues at petrol pumps, while those operated by private retail companies had seen a spurt in demand. Aviation services were the first casualty of the strike at the largest public sector oil marketing company. Plans were made to deploy senior-level officials at the 'aviation service centers for refueling facilities. There were close to 95 aviation service centers in the country. During the day, fuel-starved auto rickshaws, taxis and private vehicles went off the roads in Indias financial capital Mumbai, putting millions to hardship. The situation was only marginally better in New Delhi, where road traffic thinned by evening as scores of petrol and diesel pumps State Reacts: State governments were asked to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and the National Securities Act (NSA) as a strict measure to control the strike. Assam had already invoked the ESMA, while other state

governments said that they are in the process of doing so. Narendra Goyal, an

office-bearer of the OSOA, was arrested on Jan 8th by Delhi Police under the ESMA.
1) Union Home Minister reviewed the situation arising out of the strikes by oil sector executives and truckers at a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary, the Petroleum Secretary and the Transport Secretary and said: Strong action would be taken. If someone from the army has to be called, they will be called. 2) While the government was trying to ensure that there is minimal disruption of fuel supplies, there was an impact on production. The government was in discussion with private refineries to supply fuel as a backup. 3) Petroleum Minister conducted talks with the Territorial Army to break the impasse. Oil companies started sacking employees. Petroleum ministry secretary warned striking employees to call off the strike or face the axe. 4) And, to show that it was no idle threat oil companies sacked 70 employees and arrested many officers for participating in the strike. Impasse Ends: Certain oil companies settled with their respective union internally following divide and rule policy by negotiation and bargaining to weaken the Association. The employees against whom warrants were issued went underground which further impacted the agitation & Out of the 14 unions few of them backed out of the amalgamation. The insecurity of being terminated from services & a looming threat of warrants and arrest broke the associations confidence. The major setback was the publics opposition to the entire course of action taken by the officers association. Association was compelled to call of the strike and members resumed their offices. Analysis: Public sector units are believed to provide financial security & stability to all its associates. The PSUs are known for their HR practices and a high emphasis is given to the employer & employee relationship and well being. As per our understanding and analysis of this case:

Government & Management: 1) Lack of timely response on the part of Management who delayed

to initiate discussions & negotiations on the 13 points charter of demands.

2) Reactive approach on part of the management/government & even turning a blind eye to the initial protest. 3) Government should have initiated dialogue and could have constituted a committee to look into the demands of the association. OSOA: 1) The entire agitation led by Amit Kumar was driven by the greed for power and financial gains. 2) The intent of collective bargaining and arm twisting government agencies back fired as there was no public/local sympathy with the association. 3) Did not have a legal standing as the strike was declared illegal by Honble Delhi HC 4) The agitation disintegrated as the members were not able to sustain the pressure from the management and state.