Cargo piles up as loaders strike work

CHENNAI: Cargo movement at the Chennai airport’s cargo terminal was hit badly after loaders of the contractor handling the services went on a strike. Airport sources said that the loaders from Bhadra International refused to work as the company had not given them the desired hike. Many of them did not report for duty through most of Monday. As a result, export and import cargo piled up.Over 500 loaders worked at the cargo terminal where, on an average, 1,200 orders were cleared daily. Thankfully, all the extra large containers were moved on schedule as the forklift operators worked.Airport director H S Suresh said that “contingency measures have been taken to prevent disruption of movement of cargo. A discussion will be held with Bhadra officials to sort out the issue on Tuesday”.“The company had hired the loaders and promised a huge hike in their salaries if they completed a year,” said an airport official and added, “Though the company’s operations completed a year in March, workers were not given a good pay hike. Those not satisfied with the hike walked out.”