Union officials on forced leave at BMW

Nine office bearers of the BMW India Staff and Employees Union were given forced leave of absence until further notice on 23 August 2021 at the BMW’s factory at the Mahindra City near Chennai. The union was in negotiation with management for a pay review, delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Management claimed that discussions between staff and union officials about the pay review were taking place during working hours and impairing productivity.
Two days later, about 300 workers were locked out for refusing to sign a document imposing workplace restrictions before being allowed to enter the factory. The document, which included rules restricting mobile phone usage, was to ensure better productivity and workplace discipline management claimed.
The wage negotiations later resumed, and agreement was finally reached at the end of September.