GM India has announced that a new three-year wage agreement has been signed by the company and the General Motors Employees union at the Talegaon plant.

The facility, which began operations in September 2008, has a manufacturing capacity of 130,000 units and currently produces the Chevrolet Beat both for the domestic and export markets. It also produces engines with a capacity of 160,000 units per annum.  

According to a press note, the pact “will support further advances in vehicle manufacturing quality, efficiency and an improved work environment.” “We are pleased that we have reached agreement and provided greater certainty for our manufacturing employees at Talegaon,” said Pritpal S Kular, vice-president, Human Resources, GM India. “This goes to show the trust and commitment between the parties is high and we work collaboratively to resolve all issues in an amicable manner,” he added.

“The agreement is effective from 1 April 2017 and runs until 31 March 2020 and is an important step in our plan to consolidate GM India’s manufacturing at the Talegaon plant in Maharashtra,”

Cyril George, HR Director, Talegaon, said: “The signing of the new agreement is a testimony of our commitment towards the workers and their welfare. We have been able to seal the settlement keeping in mind the competitive wage structure and benefits for the workers at the Talegaon facility.”

According to Tushar Kamthe, General Motors Employee Union President, Talegaon, “This timely settlement will revise our wages and help drive quality and enhanced productivity which is beneficial for all employees and will help deliver organisational goals.”

Halol plant to stop making cars on April 28
The pact with the Pune plant workers union comes 18 days after the company had officially announced that it is to cease vehicle manufacturing operations at its Halol, Gujarat plant from April 28. The carmaker has offered transition initiatives for Halol plant employees to shift to the Talegaon plant.