APP Mills Announces Lockout; Workers Stage Protest In Kadiyam

District collector Keerthi Chekuri instructed labor department officials to hold talks with both management and workers to resolve the issue.

According to sources, contract workers have been on a sudden strike since April 27, demanding a review of their wages and renewal of the contract, which expired several years ago. Workers said that they have been calling on the management to review salaries and allowances for the last three months, but no action has been taken.

Approximately 840 contract workers and 410 permanent workers work in the factory. On Friday night, when regular workers reported for ‘C’ shift, the management declared a lockout and asked them not to report to work.

Workers called on the management to reconsider the decision, stating that their livelihoods would be seriously affected. However, the management did not respond.

Management also fired seven regular employees and issued showcasing notices, claiming they were supporting striking agency workers. Employees denied the accusations.

Rajamahendravaram Rural MLA Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary supported the workers and demanded equal pay for equal work with APP Mills in Rajamahendravaram.

On Saturday, Kadiyam mandal collector Sunil Kumar and DSP Shiva Priya held talks with both parties but no progress was made. Later in the day, labor department officials held further discussions in the presence of the district collector to find a solution.