Defence civilian staffers agree to put off strike

Three federations representing around 4 lakh Defence Civilian Employees today decided to postpone their proposed indefinite strike from February 17 after receiving assurances from Defence Minister AK Antony regarding their demands.

New Delhi: Three federations representing around 4 lakh Defence Civilian Employees on Wednesday decided to postpone their proposed indefinite strike from February 17 after receiving assurances from Defence Minister AK Antony regarding their demands.

"Defence Ministry has agreed to settle some of the demands related to cadre restructuring, promotional issues, piece rate and incentive revisions for production workers along with revision in the night duty allowance, etc.," said an office bearer of the All-India Defence Employees Federation. The three federations - All India Defence Employees Federation, Indian National Defence Workers Federation and Bhartiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh - had called an indefinite strike over their demands. Following receipt of the strike notice, Defence Ministry had held two rounds of discussions with the office bearers of the three federations. While one of the meetings was chaired by the Additional Secretary, Defence Minister AK Antony had led the negotiations on January 6.