Unions threaten strike

Opposing the divestment of the government’s stake in Coal India Ltd, the All India Coal Workers Federation (AICFW) today warned of a nationwide three-day strike and protest beginning October 18, when the Initial Public Offer is launched. “The All India Coal Workers Federation stands firm in its opposition against the proposed decision of Coal India to disinvest 10 per cent of its equity,” a joint release issued by the Federation and the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (Citu), a pro-CPI(M) union, read. The protest called by the AICWF has been supported by Citu.The federation has called for nationwide agitation programmes.