Source: www.thehindu.com
Posted by: ID on 08-06-2016 01:07,
Type: Commentary/Human Interest , Zone: Southern Railway)
All India Railwaymen Federation working president N. Kanniah said the union would issue a strike notice to the General Manager, Southern Railway, on June 9.
More than 40 lakh employees of railways, postal, defence and other central government establishments have decided to launch a general strike seeking, among others things, minimum pay of Rs. 26,000, scrapping of the new pension scheme and withdrawal of decisions to allow foreign direct investment or privatisation in railways, postal and defence services.
Mr. Kanniah, who is also the convener (southern states), National Joint Action Council, an umbrella organisation representing various employees’ unions, said neither the Cabinet Secretary nor the empowered group of secretaries took any step to prevent the general strike.
Foreign Direct Investment and privatisation in sectors like the railways would result in increase in freight/passenger fares and eliminate job guarantee, besides leading to scrapping of communal reservation, Mr Kanniah contended.