Cochin Port workers on a warpath

KOCHI: Trade unions representing employees of  the Cochin Port have launched an agitation  raising various demands. As the first phase of agitation the Cochin Port Employees  Organisation (CITU) and the Cochin Port Staff Association (CPSA) on Friday took out a protest march and organised a dharna in the Willingdon Island.Their demands include purchasing of equipment to facilitate port operations, acquiring of an own dredger, enhancing the marketing to  attract more cargo to Cochin Port, implementation of all-India salary revision contract, solution to issues on punching, confirmation of contract and temporary labourers.The march which began from the Mattanchery wharf premises ended at Willingdon Island. CPEO general secretary C D Nandakumar inaugurated the dharna.He said the strike was being launched as the discussion with the Regional Labour Commissioner was inconclusive. He alleged that there was lapse on the part of port management in implementing the demands raised by the unions.  CPSA working president P M Mohammed Haneefa  and union leaders P B Muthu, M C Geevarghese  CPSA general secretary K Damodaran and CPEO secretary N R Radha spoke.