CIL unions call a day's stir to protest stake sale

KOLKATA: Five central trade unions representing almost 90% of the workmen of Coal India have served a notice to the coal major's management for a day's str-ike on March 29 to protest disinvestment in the largest coal producer. The strike will also be observed at Singareni Collieries Company.

According to a statement jointly released by INTUC, BMS, HMS, AITUC and CITU there would be joint demonstration on February 19 followed by work to rule from March 7 to 10 and a day's strike on March 29.

Work to rule involves working according to the rule book and sticking only to jobs that are described in the work profile of a worker. The charter of demands for the unions include stoppage and withdrawal of disinvestment of CIL.

They are also asking for increase in import duty on coal and tweaking its price so that domestic coal is cheaper than imported ones and rationalisation of coal pricing accordingly . The demand charter also includes conclusion of wage negotiations for next round of salary hike by June 2016.