MSEB workers to strike work indefinitely

MUMBAI, Oct 22: Dissatisfied with the cold response to its two-day strike, Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) workers today decided...

MUMBAI, Oct 22: Dissatisfied with the cold response to its two-day strike, Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) workers today decided to go on an indefinite strike from tomorrow. “It is regretful that the State Government has paid no importance to our demands. We do not have any other alternative but to continue with our strike,” said A D Golandaz, vice president of the MSEB Workers’ Federation (MSEBWF).

Golandaz claimed that the strike today was 90 per cent successful and that engineers who had not joined the strike so far would do so now. The demands of the striking 1.2 lakh MSEB workers are: a month’s bonus, vehicle allowance, general pension to workers and a job to a family member of a deceased worker in the organisation or if that is not possible, a subsistence allowance.

However, their two day strike , has so far elicited no response from the State Government or even the Board officials. Meanwhile, according to an MSEB spokesperson, the chairman , P L Gajaralwar was in touch with the ministries as well as labour leaders to avoid the indefinite strike. In a late night development following the ongoing discussion between the State Government and Gajaralwar, MSEB has offered an ex gratia payment of Rs 2,500 for Class III and IV workers. Golandaz told The Indian Express, “We are not withdrawing our agitation because the offer includes only Classes III and IV employees. The agitators also include Class I and II. We have to consult nine other unions to ascertain whether the offer is acceptable.

According to sources, residents in the Vasai-Virar belt today faced the first effects of the stir and had to go without power for nearly three hours in the evening.