The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]–backed Kerala Municipal and Corporation Staff Union has threatened to launch an indefinite strike against the “apathy of the State government towards problems of employees, including the untimely payment of monthly salary.”
Addressing a news conference here on Wednesday, union general secretary A. Nujum said employees of only 50 per cent of the municipalities received their salary on the first of every month. The remaining staff got their salary depending on the availability of funds at the civic bodies. The United Democratic Front (UDF) government had been lax about implementing the terms of an agreement reached between the Urban Affairs Minister and the employees. Now, pension to retired employees was also delayed.
State conference
The 48{+t}{+h}State conference of the union, which will be held here on May 22, 23 and 24, would chalk out plans for the agitation.
The union would also express solidarity with the State government employees and teachers who are going on an indefinite strike from July 23 in protest against the government doing away with 30,500 posts, Mr. Nujum said.
Union president A. Unni and the general convener of the reception committee V. Sureshkumar were also present at the news conference. About 550 delegates, including 150 women, would take part in the three-day meet at the Tagore Centenary Hall here.
Mr. Nujum said the policies of the government had resulted in poor solid waste management in all urban bodies. Without finding an alternative, the government shut down the waste treatment plant at Vilappilsala in Thiruvananthapuram.
He said that decentralisation had been sabotaged. Powers of the district planning committee had been curtailed.
Several Centrally sponsored schemes were implemented through Special Purpose Vehicles.
Pension too being delayed: union leaders
State meet of union to chalk out agitation plans
