Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Monday, 10 December 1979

DO NOT ROCK THE BOAT

Synopsis: Communication For Productivity
Letters written to some 7500 Workers / Managers / Union Leaders, following a period of strike / Go slow / Murders (1979 - 1987), at Mumbai factory of Larsen & Toubro Ltd. This direct / open / honest communication led to a remarkable atmosphere of trust between Workers and Management, which, in turn, increased productivity at 3% per year (ave). 

10 Dec 1979

To:

Dear Co-traveller


DO NOT ROCK THE BOAT

POWAI WORKS  is like a  boat.  You are  aware that  this boat has  not been  sailing  smoothly of  late.   Some people  are trying to  drill holes  in it, little  realizing that  if the boat goes down, they  go down too ! - perhaps before  the boat goes down !! What else is 'go-slow' agitation?
Over the years, our boat has sprung a few small  leaks and we should all be busy bailing out water and sealing  these leaks - not drilling holes!!  Future of 7,000 people  (and of their families) is at  stake.  A few persons (whose own  futures do not ride  the boat) are  taking dangerous liberties  with the future of 7,000 workmen.  Can this be allowed?
To agitate peacefully and democratically  for a 'just' cause, is  the birth  right of  the working  class.  No  enlightened Management will deny that, and  L&T Management has repeatedly demonstrated that it is an enlightened Management.
But, is the present 'go-slow' for a ' just ' cause?
At  a considerable  sacrifice  to  the L&T  workmen,  the BKS Union got  the Management to  agree to refer  the cases  of 8 workmen  to the  Labour  Court.   now the  workmen  are being asked  to  make  further  sacrifices.   For  what?   Was  the earlier sacrifice all in vain?  You be the judge.
Our Management ''has a reputation of honouring an understanding, if it was given.   The one and only understanding is the agreement signed   by  the  Union   and  the  Management on 17.3.1978.  Management has every intention of honouring the same.  It is hoped that the educated and intelligent workmen of L&T will also uphold this democratic tradition and honour the  agreement  by  immediately  withdrawing the - GO-SLOW agitation, before this disease  spreads   like plague and consumes our futures !!

H.C. PAREKH

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