Neyveli Lignite employees to go on strike from July 3

CUDDALORE: Seventeen trade unions representing 17,000 employees of Neyveli Lignite Corporation here today decided to go on indefinite strike from the midnight of July three protesting against the clearance given by the Centre to disinvest five per cent stakes in the Corporation.

S Rajavannian, general secretary of NLC Labour Progressive Federation, affiliated to DMK, told reporters that they would issue the strike notice to the management tomorrow.

Though it was mandatory to issue strike notice to the management 15 days ahead, all the trade unions at a meeting today wanted to commence the strike at the earliest and protest against the Centre's decision, he said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had yesterday urged the Centre to reconsider the decision to disinvest shares in NLC. Various political parties in the state have also protested against the decision.

Trade unions of various political parties including AIADMK, DMK, CITU, PMK and LLF participated in today's meeting.