Date:17/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/17/stories/2008081757850300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Employees gearing up for strike on Aug. 20

Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM: The district and city units of the Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers’ Association are getting ready to participate in the all-India general strike on August 20 in protest against the decisions taken by the State and Central Governments against the interests of employees, teachers and workers.

The All-India State Government Employees’ Federation gave a call for the strike, which was supported by the State Joint Action Committee.

The main demand was release of 40 per cent interim relief as the State government had already announced constitution of Pay Revision Commission.

The commission should also submit its report within in six months instead of one year as the prices of all commodities were rising steeply and the government could not control the same, president of district APNGOs’ Association and chairman of district JAC T. Govardhana Rao said at a press conference here on Saturday.

Among the other demands in the 39-charter of demands is sanction of house sites to all employees.