Coimbatore : The 100-day-long strike at auto component manufacturing major Pricol here came to an end with 25 per cent of the over 400 employees returning to work. The management issued relocation and transfer orders to the remaining employees. They would now be posted to some of its plants across the country.

Over 400 workers had been on an indefinite strike from August 21 seeking wage revision. This had affected production, the delivery to the customers, company Managing Director Vikram Mohan told reporters here on Monday.

As there was tremendous impact on business, customers insisted on shifting orders from the Coimbatore to other ones for uninterrupted supply, he said.

As some workers expressed their willingness to return to work, the management consulted the labour departments here and in Chennai, resulting in an end to the stalemate with return of 150 workers to work this morning, Vikram said.

The management decided to relocate or transfer 302 workers to its other plants in Pune, Manesar and Sri City, based on age, capacity and skills, and started issuing orders today itself, he said.

Asked whether this would not lead to further unrest, he said the company had to wait and watch, even as the company had to spend about Rs 1.2 crore on them. The company was also willing to offer voluntary retirement option, he added.

Separately, a union statement said this was nothing but to break the activities of the union. The transfer of a large number of employees, including six office-bearers was an act of revenge, it said.