The official machinery is kept on high alert as the 48-day general strike called by 11 central trade unions and independent associations will commence from Wednesday.
“We have completed all arrangements to make the strike a grand success,” former State president of CITU Ch. Narsinga Rao said. All major unions including INTUC are supporting the strike. Essential services like milk, power, water supply and medical services are exempted.
As a precautionary measure, major industries asked their key executives to report for duty from Tuesday midnight. The shift duty for all at RINL has been increased from eight to 12 hours.
As the MLC election from Teachers’ Constituency is being held on second day of the bandh, the district administration is taking no chance to ensure that there is no disruption in polling activity. The demands of the unions, among other things, include withdrawal of disinvestment of public sector units, and minimum payment of Rs.10,000 for contract workers.
Bharatiya Port and Dock Mazdoor Mahasangh district president Bhavani Shankarudu criticised the UPA Government for ignoring their genuine demands. Insurance Corporation Employees’ Union district president B.B. Ganesh said they would register their protest by abstaining from work.
NAD workers’ ‘no’
National Armament Depot Civil Employees’ Union general secretary A.V. Thomas said that they would not take part in strike as it would affect defence preparedness. Instead, they propose to hold protest programme by raising slogans.
