Maharashtra govt staff strike from Tuesday

Nearly 17 lakh employees of the Maharashtra government will go on a three-day strike from Tuesday in support of various demands, including implementation of the 7th Pay Commission report.

They are also demanding a five-day week and increase in retirement age to 60 years from current 58.

Though jointly called by Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers Federation, Maharashtra State Employees Organisation, and Maharashtra State Class Four Employees Association, after talks with the government late Monday night, the gazetted employees have decided not to go on strike.

Maharashtra State Employees Association President Milind Sardeshmukh, however, said they are going ahead with the strike.

Filling vacancies

The employees said that they are not seeking any interim hike but implementation of the 7th Pay Commission report with effect from January 1, 2016 as announced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The unions demanded that the government fill up 2 lakh vacant posts on a priority basis.

The strike is expected to hit work at Mantralaya, the state secretariat, collectorates, tehsils, gram panchayats, government schools and colleges.

Latest reports said that formal and informal meetings are underway to pursue the staff not to go ahead with the strike. Fadnavis is in New Delhi and is expected to be back on Tuesday morning.