Four coal sector unions call for strike on Mar 29: Govt

Four Central Trade Unions (CTUs) of the coal sector have given notice to go on strike on March 29, Parliament was informed today.
"Four trade unions have given notice to go on strike on March 29, 2015 protesting against the government's decision to disinvest, among other issues...," Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
He added that the government is in dialogue with the unions on all matters concerning workers.
Government had earlier sought the unions' cooperation in combating the "difficult situation" the sector was passing through due to fall in global commodity prices.

"Coal Minister (Piyush Goyal) invited cooperation and support from five CTUs/coal workers to combat difficult situation the coal industry is passing through," Indian National Mineworkers' Federation (INTUC) had earlier said.
The coal industry has been hit "due to deep recession globally and also internally in India... The stock of coal in power houses of states/NTPC and also in CIL/subsidiaries is piling up," it had added.
The CTUs in a meeting with Goyal this week had assured the government of full cooperation in combating the adverse situation.
"However, in order to have positive result, the representatives of five CTUs submitted few suggestions, like increasing the frequency of consultation with one of the most important stakeholders, that is coal workers/CTUs, particularly in policy related issues like disinvestment, re-structuring, coal pricing mechanism...And welfare related issues," it had said.