Sixth pay commission: CSD civilian staff call off strike

Sixth pay commission: CSD civilian staff call off strike

CHANDIGARH: Defence personnel of the tricity, retired or serving, can now heave a sigh of relief as civilian staff working in CSD (Canteen Stores Department) outlets formally called off their strike on Monday after getting assurance from the minister
of defence with regard to their demands. The strike had paralysed work at five major CSD outlets in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali, causing loss of sales of around Rs 1.25 crore over the five days work was completely suspended.

Giving details of the development, Chander Prakash, general secretary of defence civilian staff union, Chandigarh said, ‘’We have received information from our national representatives that defence minister AK Antony has agreed to give them payscale as per recommendations of sixth pay commission. Though we are formally resuming our duties from Tuesday, a chain hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi would continue till formal implementation of the defence minister’s assurance.’’

The defence minister had called upon the striking civilian staff of CSD canteen after complete paralyzing of work at CSD canteens across the country as all 10,000 employees serving in CSD canteens suspended work for five days.

The strike put a stop on sales at all five CSD outlets in the tricity including the most popular canteens of Sector-21 Chandigarh, Chandimandir station, 3 BRD and 12 wing canteens of Air Force and NCC canteen based in Sector-26.

Around 100 employees working in these five canteens, who were on nationwide strike, were demanding increase in salaries and fixing of pay as per recommendations of sixth central pay commission. After Supreme Court orders in 2001, these employees
were regularized and considered defence employees along with fixing of payscale for them. But in recent announcement of sixth pay commission, government did not enhance their payscales as per commission recommendations. For implementation of recommendations of sixth pay commission and for enhancement of their pay accordingly, these employees resorted to strike.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com