Uncertainty Over Post-Retirement Medical Benefits for Tata Steel NS Grade Employees

Union clarifies NS grade employees’ eligibility for medical benefits amidst heated discussions.

During a committee meeting on Monday, Union Vice President Shahnawaz Alam addressed concerns about whether Tata Steel’s NS grade employees would receive post-retirement medical benefits similar to those of old grade employees.

JAMSHEDPUR – Uncertainty looms over the provision of post-retirement medical benefits for Tata Steel’s NS grade employees.

During a committee meeting, Union Vice President Shahnawaz Alam clarified that the agreement made during former President R Ravi Prasad’s tenure did not exclude NS grade employees from these benefits.

The meeting witnessed strong opposition from members, including former Deputy President Arvind Pandey, RC Jha, Omprakash Sharma, Shivesh Verma, Dharmendra Upadhyay, and Vimal Kumar, who questioned the ruling bench on this matter.

In response, Tata Workers Union President Sanjeev Kumar Chaudhary highlighted that disciplinary actions against committee members were not unprecedented, citing the 13-month suspension of BB Singh, father of current union official Sanjay Singh.

Chaudhary also mentioned the implementation of ECBS 2.0 during his tenure and addressed concerns about guest houses in Kathmandu and Puri.

The meeting, which lasted from 9 AM to nearly 3 PM, included tributes, confirmation of previous executive committee meeting proceedings, and approval of accounts from March to May.

Additional matters were discussed with the chairman’s permission.

The president assured that the issue of employee PF would be presented to the auditor and resolved according to existing rules.

He also confirmed that the union’s three-tier system would continue and that initiatives would be taken regarding TMH’s RO and meetings with the MD and committee members.

Committee members raised various issues, including concessions for NS grade employees in booking guest houses, lowering the ECBS passing score, improving canteen quality, and addressing LTC and IB concerns.

RK Singh emphasized important issues like flat repairs, canteen quality improvement, and flexible working hours for women employees, to which the president did not respond.

General Secretary’s Role: The General Secretary clarified that his appointment as an officer of the clubhouse was at the president’s behest and expressed no personal interest in the role.

Presence of Outsider: An outsider, the bodyguard of Union President Sanjeev Kumar Chaudhary, attended the committee meeting, marking a first in the union’s history.

Members Who Raised Questions: Om Prakash Sharma, Arvind Pandey, RC Jha, Dharmendra Upadhyay, Shivesh Verma, Santosh Pandey, Rakesh Kumar Singh, Dineshwar Kumar, Vimal Kumar, RK Singh, and others.