Over 170 permanent workers and 180 contract labourers want their jobs back. And they plan to intensify their stir if the management does not offer them a satisfactory package.

Vice president of the General Labour Union Ajit Abhyankar said that they were willing to cooperate with the new management and appear for interviews. But he was quite clear that they first sought the rehabilitation of their workers. Abhyankar has been seeking tripartite talks with the Taj group, the Kirloskars and the workers to resolve the issue, he said.

Ajit Abhyankar accused chairman of the Poona Industial Hotels Atul Kirloskar of misleading the workers while signing the agreement with the Taj group. ``We have been corresponding with the Kirloskars ever since reports appeared in newspapers about the imminent sale of the hotel. However, although Atul Kirloskar signed along the dotted line on June 16, 1999, he gave us an impression that talks regarding the workers were yet to be discussed,'' he alleged.

Kirloskar has been out of the country since the Taj group moved in. The union members who are awaiting his return from France, believe that it was his moral responsibility to rehabilitate workers by offering them employment in other Kirloskar group companies if they do not find employment at Hotel Blue Diamond.

The Taj group had offered to interview each employee and offer fresh employment to those who fit in with the Taj culture and plans. The process of interview has already started and workers have been reportedly participating in them. However, the Taj management has assured the union that the results of the interviews would not be announced till an acceptable package was evolved for everyone. This assurance has been given to the workers following a meeting held with the Pune district collector Vijay Kumar Gautam. As per the agreement, the Kirloskars have kept Rs 2 crore as ICD with the Taj group for settling any liability which may become known after the closing date. This will be held in escrow.