BL reported that 1 day strike backed by all the unions in Visakhapatnam Steel Plant evoked an overwhelming response, with almost all the non executive employees abstaining from work on Wednesday to press for wage revision.

As per report, the strike, which began at 6AM, the time to report for ‘A’ shift, passed off peacefully without any untoward incident. Police picket was posted at the main gate.

The production was hit partially even as the management banned leave by all the 5,000 odd officers. The striking employees allowed 20,000 odd contract workers to attend to their duties. With the help of contract workers drafted for process work, the officers could ensure normal functioning of essential services like coke oven, steel melting shop, power and water supply.

Mr D Adinarayana president and Mr N. Rama Rao general secretary of Visakha Steel Workers’ Union said “We are very happy with the response. At no point of time did we have any intention to cause damage to the plant. That’s the reason why we did not prevent the officers and contract workers from attending to their duties,”

22 unions supported the strike after VSWU served the strike notice on October 20. The demands include merger at the existing rate of 78.2% DA with basic pay in line with other public sector units, retaining existing rates of increments, sanction of minimum guaranteed benefit of 28% and wage settlement once in five years.

(Source from BL)