Teachers and government employees in Tamil Nadu will begin an indefinite strike from January 6 . The Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Organisations and Government Employees’ Organisations (JACTTO-GEO) announced the strike. This action follows the failure of talks with the state government regarding their demands.
The decision came after a series of unresolved meetings and protests. JACTTO-GEO stated the government did not resolve key issues during recent negotiations.
Strike Reasons: Unmet Demands
JACTTO-GEO presented a 10-point charter of demands to the Tamil Nadu government. Core issues, including pension, vacant positions, and pay, remain unaddressed. This follows recent discussions.
- Old Pension Scheme (OPS) Revival: JACTTO-GEO demands the reintroduction of the OPS.
- Vacant Post Fillings: The organization seeks immediate filling of all vacant government posts.
- Promotion and Seniority Anomalies: Teachers require resolution of existing issues in promotion and seniority.
- Equitable Pay Scales: JACTTO-GEO advocates for fair and uniform pay scales across different employee categories.
These demands were central to the discussions held with government officials.
Timeline of Events Leading to Strike
JACTTO-GEO has systematically escalated its agitation after earlier talks yielded no progress. This timeline outlines key decisions and actions:
- November 25: A state-level coordination committee meeting in Chennai resolved to intensify agitation. The committee affirmed its 10-point charter of demands.
- December 13: Large-scale protests occurred at district headquarters statewide. Teachers, government employees, and staff participated in these demonstrations.
- December 22: JACTTO-GEO representatives met with the Chief Secretary, Finance Secretary, and School Education Secretary. Teachers reported the talks failed to address their demands. They described the outcome as disappointing.
- December 22: Following the unsuccessful talks, the state-level coordination committee convened again. Members decided to proceed with previously announced protests and the indefinite strike.
Upcoming Protest Actions
Before the indefinite strike begins, JACTTO-GEO has scheduled further protest actions:
A protest conference will take place on December 27 . Participants will gather at district headquarters across Tamil Nadu. Attendees will wear black badges to signal their disapproval of the state government’s stance. This conference serves as a final protest before the statewide strike activation.
Government Approach Criticized
JACTTO-GEO has criticized the Tamil Nadu government’s handling of negotiations. The council stated the government called meetings. These meetings occurred under the guise of talks. JACTTO-GEO believes there was no genuine intent to resolve issues.
JACTTO-GEO also condemned the Human Resources Management Department. The department reportedly bypassed JACTTO-GEO. It held separate discussions with other organizations supportive of the government. This action further strained relations between JACTTO-GEO and state authorities.