The two-day nationwide strike by trade unions on its first day on Wednesday received mixed response from the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). While 8,000 non-executives struck work at Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), attendance was normal in Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as a majority of non-executives worked.
Similarly, attendance was normal at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). According to trade unions, the strike achieved partial success in Bharat Heavy Electronics Limited (BHEL).
Speaking to The Hindu , BEML chief public relation officer Sridhar said that over 8,000 employees in the non-officers category abstained from work but over 4,000 officers worked.
“Production was affected to some extent. But it is difficult to quantify now,” he added.
Krishna K.S., Senior Deputy General Manager, Corporate Communications, BEL, said that over 2,000 people work in the non-officers category and “attendance was good and normal, there was no significant impact on production”.
Gopal Sutar, Chief of Public Relations, HAL, said, “No one participated in the strike and work was normal.”
When contacted, Prasanna Kumar, General Secretary, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, said that while attendance in BEL was 50 per cent, the strike was partial in BHEL.
The response was disappointing in HAL, he added.
Postal and telecommunication services were affected to some extent with non-executives participating in the strike enthusiastically.
Circle Secretary, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited Employees Union (BSNL-EU), R. Gundanna, said: “Non-executives abandoned work and counter services suffered significantly. Revenue collection dipped and consumers suffered.” According to S.S. Manjunath, Circle Secretary, National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE P-3) Union, a majority of the 25,000 Group C and D employees participated in the strike and services, including delivery of postal articles, were affected across the State.
