Irked over the suspension of nine employees, the workers' union of Maruti Udyog Limited on Tuesday went on a six-hour tools-down strike at its Gurgaon plant demanding revision of the incentive-linked production programme. The union leaders have also decided to sit on a fast unto death to protest the suspension of the employees, Maruti Udyog Employees Union (MUEU) General Secretary Mathew Abraham said in New Delhi on Tuesday.

''The workers have decided to strike work for two hours on every shift on Tuesday,'' Mr Abraham said adding that the move is in protest of the suspension of MUL employees on charges of alleged misconduct.
The strike is likely to affect output by 25 per cent. Maruti's daily output is about 1,400 cars. Mr Abraham further said that Heavy Industries Minister Manohar Joshi has at a recent meeting assured the workers that fresh round of negotiations for resolving the industrial unrest at MUL will commence soon.
Mr Abraham said that the employees will continue with the agitation and slogan shouting. ''We are waiting for the negotiations but the agitation will continue.''
“We sincerely hope that you (union) will desist from taking any such undesirable steps and work towards strengthening the future of the company,” said Mr Abrahim. Bureau Report