PSU officers threaten to strike if demands not met

New Delhi, Dec 19: Officers of several Public Sector Units (PSU)today threatened to go on an indefinite strike by December 22 if theirdemands, including merger of 50 per cent D A with basic pay, are notmet by December 21.

More than 1.6 lakh officers, under the aegis of the Coordination of Officers Association of CPSUs, have threatened to strike.

They are demanding merger of 50 per cent DA with basic pay witheffect from January 1, 2005 as done for central government employees,removal of monetary ceiling on payment of gratuity, release of lump sumad hoc pending discussion with the next pay plan for salary revisionwith effect from January 1, 2005 and removal of 50 per cent ceiling onallowances.

Officers from BSNL, MTNL, NTPC, NHPC, HPCL, BPCL, BHEL, ONGC, IOC,OIL, EIL, IBP, CRL, ONGC, IOC, NRL, CPCL, GAIL, BL, SAIL, COAL INDIAand other PSUs will participate in the strike.

Addressing a press conference, Coordination Committee ConvenorRakesh Pandey said the Government had not left the employees with anyother option but to agitate.

''Our demands are long-standing. This is the first time we havetaken this step. The discriminatory and wrong policies of thegovernment towards the PSUs have led to the situation,'' he said.

Mr Pandey said flight of talent from PSUs to the private sector, due to sharp pay disparity, had posed a threat for the PSUs.

''If the PSUs have to be saved and talent retained, then our demands must be met,'' he added.

He said the strike will cost the state exchequer about Rs 750crore per day in duties cess and taxes and that will spell doom for theeconomy.

Regretting inconvenience caused to the common man, he said the agitation is a step to save the PSUs.

''The strike will affect supply of power and petroleum products and telecom services immediately,'' he added.

UNI