Hold talks with protesting staff, unions tell TN government

Chennai: Various trade unions including those affiliated to DMK and Left parties have urged Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to hold direct talks with all the protesting government employees association to bring an end to the 10-day-long strike and also to ensure that the protest did not affect public and election works.

In a joint statement issued by eight trade central unions — LPF, CITU, AITUC, INTUC, HMS, BMS, AIUTUC and AICCTU here, they said that government employees and teachers were forced to protest as the chief minister did not hold talks with them and the minister who held talks delayed making an announcement. “The unilateral announcement made by the government is an insult to protestinsg union leaders and employees,” they said.

The government employees, teachers,  noon meal workers and anganwadi workers were protesting for the past 10 days seeking action their 20 charters of demands.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association president R. Tamilselvi said, “The executive committee will be convened on Saturday, to take a decision after studying the concessions offered by the government and decide whether to continue with the agitation or not.” She added they have decided to withdraw the sit in agitation, being conducted in the government offices, from Friday.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association president R. Tamilselvi said that the announcement made by the government is only a lip service. “There was not even a mention about the ongoing strike in the statement. Our executive committee will be convened on Saturday, to take a decision after studying the concessions offered by the government and decide whether to continue with the agitation or not,” she said.