Date:23/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/23/stories/2005042310020400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Singareni union backs stir call

Staff Reporter

Coal workers demand implementation of seventh wage board

KHAMMAM: The Singareni Collieries Employees Union on Friday declared its support for the three-day token strike called by revolutionary unions in the company to press for the implementation of the seventh wage board with 100 per cent neutralisation of dearness allowance. The union general secretary, M. Saibabu, said the implementation of the new wage structure was delayed by 46 months affecting over 5.5 lakh coal workers in 10 States.

He said some 2.5 lakh workers were in the fold of the ECL and BCCL. He said any move to deviate from the uniform wage structure for the entire coal industry in the country would undermine the importance of the wage board.

Special Correspondent in Hyderabad adds: The management of the Singareni Collieries Company Limited has appealed to the SCCL trade unions not to resort to hasty strikes over the issue of wage board report implementation.

In a statement here on Friday, the management said the Chief Minister, Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, had personally written to the authorities to expedite the Wage Board Report to avoid unrest among the workers. Efforts were also on by the SCCL management to ensure early implementation of the recommendations which could come by May-end.