The employees of Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) have withdrawn their four-month-long strike and resumed work, the company said on Tuesday. “The Toyota Kirloskar Motor employees’ union has called off its strike to enable its members to resume work at our Bidadi factory near Bengaluru,” the company said in a statement here.

The long-lasting strike since November over the suspension of 40 workers compelled the company to declare lockout in the factory on November 10. Production resumed after the lockout was lifted on January 12 when the majority of the 3,350 employees returned to work, withdrawing the stir. “The company has accepted an undertaking by the union leaders as advised by the Karnataka labour department to call off the strike,” said the statement.

The 23-year-old joint venture urged the remaining employees on strike to return to work by March 5 and avoid further action. “We will work to strengthen the relationship with the workers based on collaboration, trust, discipline and mutual respect,” noted the statement.

The lockout was declared in November after 1,200 workers resorted to a sit-in strike in the plant at Bidadi, about 40 km southwest of Bengaluru, in protest against the suspension of their union leaders.

As the strike continued, the company suspended 39 more workers on November 13 for refusing to withdraw their ‘illegal’ agitation.

SC rejects plea seeking action against Farooq Abdullah, imposes fine on petitioner

BSF officer arrested for helping cross-border smugglers

Bihar panchayat elections to be held in 10 phases for first time