NLC contract workers defer Sept 8 strike plan

Around 13,000 contract workers of public sector Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) today deferred their indefinite strike called on September 8, after the management requested for more time to examine an eight-point charter of demands.

This follows a tripartite meeting at the labour commissioner's office in Puducherry, where NLC officials asked for more time to examine the issues after no agreeable decision was arrived at, an office-bearer of the local unit of the All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), which is spearheading the agitation, said.

Besides AITUC office bearers, the meeting was attended by NLC officers, Neyveli town AITUC President P C Kuppuswamy said.

He said the next round of discussions will be held on September 16.

The union had earlier served a notice on the management, saying they would go on an indefinite strike from September 8 if their demands were not met.

Kuppuswamy said the strike call was given as the NLC had not honoured an agreement reached in June, 2008. The demands of the union include a salary revision and bonus.

The PSU witnessed a six-day strike by 14,000 regular employees over the wage revision issue in July. The strike ended after an agreement was reached between the striking workers and the management.