Dispute with trade union workers, HC pronounces verdict in favour of areca nut palm owner

Kozhikode: The High Court has pronounced a verdict in favour of the owner of the areca nut palm over the case related to a dispute with trade union workers. Andrin George, a native of Mukkam Thottumukkam approached the court after the joint trade union of workers demanded a higher wage of Rs 80 for loading a single piece of areca nut palm wood into a lorry. Andrin refused to pay the wage as he had sold the wood to a Guruvayur resident for Rs 70.

About 300 logs were found abandoned here for the past month due to the ongoing dispute. With the court order, Andrin loaded the wood on a lorry with police protection.

He paid a total of Rs 7000 to 7 workers for the work. Andrin told Mathrubhumi News that the union had earlier demanded Rs 24,000 for the same job.

Earlier, the owner had lodged a complaint with the police and labour officer. However, the owner approached the court as no favourable action was taken against the trade union.