K.K.VIJAYAN Vs. COCHIN PORT TRUST

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Both these matters pertain to a notice issued by the Cochin Port Trust under the provisions of Section 19(2) of the Industrial Disputes Act (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act' for short), as per which, they have notified the employees that the payments being made to them under the Settlement dated 12.11.1997, will be withdrawn; and they assert that this, ipso facto, does not enable them to stop the payment as per the said Settlement.

(2.) I have heard Sri.S.Sreekumar, learned Senior Counsel instructed by Sri.P.Martin Jose, learned counsel for the petitioners in WP(C)No.25909/2020; Sri.S.Manu, learned counsel for the petitioners in WP(C)No.22839/2020 and Sri.E.K.Nandakumar, learned Senior Counsel instructed by Sri.Gopikrishnan Nambiar, learned Standing Counsel for the Cochin Port Trust. I proceed to dispose of these matters at the admission stage with the consent of the learned counsel.

(3.) Even though there are various assertions and averments urged and made by the petitioners in these writ petitions - which are being heard together on account of the analogous circumstances presented and reliefs sought for - I deem it appropriate not to enter into its merits, in any manner whatsoever, since I am aware that proceedings are pending before the competent Regional Joint Labour Commissioner (RJLC) in terms of the aforementioned Act.