Coal India, SCCL worker unions to go on strike; demand withdrawal of disinvestment

Worker unions of state-owned Coal India and Singareni Collieries Company Limited​ (SCCL) will go on a one-day token strike in March and four-day "work to rule" agitation in the same month demanding withdrawal of the process of de-nationalisation/disinvestment of the world's largest coal miner.

"The representatives of 5 central trade unions ie BMS, INTUC, HMS, AITUC and CITU met at Nagpur on Wednesday and reviewed the status of demands... However, the outcome is quite dismal. Hence, it has been decided to serve agitation/strike notice," said the strike/agitation notice letter to the Coal Ministry.

According to the letter, the unions will "from 7th to 10th March, 2016 (4 days) (go on) 'Work to Rule agitation in all mines/units" and "one day token strike on 29th March, 2016 in all the mines/units of CIL/subsidiaries and SCCL and entire coal industry."

On February 19, there would be "joint demonstration before all subsidiaries of CIL and SCCL," it said.

Charter of demands of the unions, it added, includes stopping/ withdrawing "process of de-nationalisation/ disinvestment of CIL" and increasing "import duty on coal" and rationalising "coal pricing accordingly."

In November last year, the Cabinet approved 10% stake sale in Coal India. The government currently owns 79.65% stake in the company.

The 10% stake sale in Coal India is likely to be deferred to next fiscal as the government wants to wait for stability in the equity markets for a better valuation, an official had earlier said.