The issue was spurred by the CITU removing hoardings placed by IOC employees union: File photoKochi: LPG supply in Kerala has come to a halt following the stand off at the Chelary plant of the Indian Oil Corporation at Malappuram.
The essential supply was hit as the employees from rival unions locked horns on an issue as trivial as the celebration of a union leader's birthday.
The permanent employees belonging to the Indian Oil Employees Union, at the plant at Chelary, had reportedly placed banners bearing birthday wishes for their south-zone leader T. S. Rangarajan.
They had also decorated the plant to mark the day.
The CITU members, working at the plant, were reportedly irked at the plans and met the plant manager, asking him to stop the celebrations.
The workers then staged a massive protest at the plant on Friday around 7 pm, demanding that the IOEU members must remove the banners as it was 'pre-decided' that there will be no celebrations inside the plant premises.
The CITU men had their way and removed the banners in the plant premises as well.
The permanent employees, who are employed inside the bottling plant, mobilized in protest against the CITU action.
Soon the Indian Oil plants at Chelary, Udayamperur and Paripally in Kerala declared a flash strike, halting the supply of LPG completely.
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