Bangalore: Talks to resolve the deadlock between the union and the management of Toyota Kirloskar Motors failed in reaching any conclusion on Thursday. The management of the company has sought time till January 16 to contemplate the suggestions of the Labour Department.

Today the management and the union held separate meetings with the Labour Department to resolve the issue of agitating workers, who have been on strike since Jan 6 to protest the dismissal of three union members and the company''s decision, to declare an indefinite lockout on January eight in response to the snap strike.

CITU state committee general secretary Meenakshi Sundaram said, "The labour commissioner put forward three suggestions which the union acceded to but were rejected by the management. The suggestions included immediate withdrawal of the strike by the union, lifting up of the lockout by the management with immediate effect and keeping in abeyance the dismissal of the three workers till the court''s decision on the matter, Sundaram said.

1,500 workers of the company went on strike on Friday last went after three employees were dismissed from service for alleged misconduct. A fourth employee, against whom a probe was conducted, was reinstated while 11 more workers stayed suspended pending a final report on some incidents which occured in ''04.

The CITU-affiliated TKM union wants the government to prosecute the management for declaring an indefinite lockout of the plant, for violating industrial dispute acts and for indulging in other "illegal acts. A company spokesperson said the union had violated the law by calling for a strike of a utility governed by the essential services act without giving 14 days prior notice. The law permitted the management to declare a lockout under the circumstances as it feared danger to life and property.

The management stayed away from conciliation meeting of the labour commissioner on 9 9 January since it feared danger to the lives of its officials. The management says it wants the strike to be called off before any negotiations are held.