General Strike Report from States/ Sectors

Message of Greetings from AICCTU

AICCTU Congratulates the working class of India for making the two days all-India strike on 28-29 March strike successful. The strike was made successful by the working class of the country braving threats and intimidations not only by the Modi led BJP government at the centre but also by many BJP and non-BJP led state governments. The working class of the country has taken up the challenge of the corporates to break the strike with the support of various governments.

At the call of the Platform of Central Trade Unions, crores of organised and unorganised workers and employees across the country and sectors joined the strike. The workers anger was simmering on the streets in the form of Rasta Roko (Road Blockades), Rail Roko, picketing, rallies, demonstrations, burning effigies, etc., against the anti-worker, anti-people and anti -national policies of the Modi government. Thousands and thousands of workers were also arrested all across the country. AICCTU salutes all those workers engaged in a militant action of Strike and arrests.

Several states witnessed bandh like situation. Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and several organisations of Dalits and downtrodden also expressed their unflinching support to the workers militant strike action.

Various sections of society, including students, youth, women, in addition to farmers, joined the strike with full vigour. Red and green flags were fluttering all across the country.

The subject matter of the strike was also raised vociferously in both the houses of parliament today demanding adjournment and discussions.

AICCTU strongly condemns threats, intimidations and strike breaking actions resorted to by several corporate companies which is promptly backed by the pro-corporate Modi led BJP government and also by several state governments.

 

Railway

Indian Railway Employees’ Federation (IREF), affiliated to AICCTU launched a “Save Railways, Save India” campaign from 23rd March (martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh) in support of all-India general strike. As a part of the campaign, IREF held demonstrations, on both days of strike at various railway stations and production units including Allahabad in NCR; workshops in Patiala and RCF, Kapurthala (both Punjab); Diesel Shed, Tuglakabad (New Delhi), Sultanpur and Jagadari in Northern Railway; a dozen railway stations of Hajipur zone in EC Railway; Jamalpur and Howrah in Eastern Railway; Santragachi, Howrah and Soro in SE Railway; Jabalpur and Katni in WC Railway; and Varanasi and Chittaranjan Locomotives. It also participated in joint trade union programmes at various places across the country.

Gujarat

On 28th March, an impressive rally was held at Ahmedabad jointly by AICCTU and CITU. The participation of ASHA and Anganwadi was noteworthy. Protests were held in other districts of the state on 29th.

Delhi

On 28th March, processions were organized in different industrial areas. AICCTU led the strike in the Wazirpur area. Joint trade union processions were also taken out in Okhla, Jhilmil and other industrial areas of Delhi, in which AICCTU joined with sizeable mobilisation. Sanitation contract workers of JNU held a massive procession led by AICCTU.

On 29th, a joint trade union demonstration and a mass meeting was organized at Jantar Mantar which was addressed by leaders of all central trade unions, including the General Secretary of AICCTU, Comrade Rajiv Dimri. The participation of AICCTU was very impressive in this demonstration in which various sections workers, including health contract, scheme, construction, sanitation, industrial workers and slum dwellers participated.

Jharkhand

On both days of strike, the capital city, Ranchi, witnessed huge joint trade union rallies and demonstrations involving various sections of workers. AICCTU participation was very impressive. Construction workers joined the strike in large numbers all across the state under the banner of AICCTU.

The strike in the coal sector was partial, but complete in the areas of operation of CMWU (Coal Mines Workers Union), affiliated to AICCTU, like in Mugma area of ECL. Even the coal office of this area was closed at the initiative of CMWU. On 29th March, an impressive joint trade union rally was taken out in Dhanbad, the coal city. The contract workers of Bokaro Steel plant went on strike. HEC workers observed a complete strike on the first day, defying strike breaking designs of BMS (Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh owing political allegiance to BJP - RSS). Mid-day meal workers under the banner of AICCTU, held demonstrations in various districts. The state government employees, led by AICCTU, held demonstrations at various district headquarters, including Ranchi, on both days. Overall, there was a Bandh like situation in Jharkhand.

Tamil Nadu

AICCTU cadres courted arrest along with other central trade union leaders at Tirunelveli, Madurai, Trichy, Karur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Namakkal, Salem, Coimbatore, Thiruvellore and Chengalpattu districts. AIKM cadres courted arrest at a few more centres in Salem, Kallakuruchi and Sivgangai districts. Hundreds of AIARLA cadres blocked roads in Tanjore district. Strike notice was jointly issued to employers’ associations of Beedi industry by AICCTU, CITU and AITUC. Workers of the unorganised sector, including construction, affiliated to AICCTU, blocked the roads all over the state and thus halted the traffic for several hours.

On the first day of strike, loading workers of the public distribution system (TNCSC - Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation - a state owned PSU) held a massive demonstration at their head office at Chennai. AICCTU had also served strike notice jointly with other central trade unions.

In Devaram of Theni district, hundreds of workers, agricultural labourers and farmers under the leadership of AICCTU, AIARLA and AIKM blocked the roads and courted arrest. In Kanyakumari, AICCTU members held an impressive demonstration. AICCTU led unions of electricity  and transport workers joined the strike in Karur, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts. On 29th March, AICCTU cadres joined demonstrations in various centres all over the state. In Guduvanchery of Chengalpattu district, a joint demonstration with other central trade unions was organised by AICCTU. An independent demonstration was held by AICCTU at Manaparai of Trichy district. Our Tasmac (Tamilnadu government owned liquor outlets) union leaders also joined picketing and courted arrest defying warnings by the DMK led state government.

The BHEL, central public sector unit, witnessed an absenteeism of about 70% on the first day of the strike. Defence and BSNL employees organised solidarity demonstrations. Banking and insurance sector employees struck work and held massive demonstrations at various centres. Even though the party in power, the DMK, announced its support for the strike, the Government of Tamil Nadu issued warnings to the employees of the state government and its undertakings of serious consequences if they joined the strike. But participation was massive in these sectors.

Puducherry

After a state level convention on 17th March, an intensive campaign for three days was held on the 12 points charter of central trade unions in all industrial estates and zones of Puducherry.

Political parties such as CPI-ML, CPI-M, CPI, DMK, INC, M DMK, VCK, IUML and Students' confederation of Pudicherry gave a Bandh call on 29th March. On 28 March, all leaders of above-mentioned parties, including the former Chief Minister Narayan Swami, went around the town seeking support for the strike. All trade unions affiliated to AICCTU served strike notices to the employers concerned.

On 28th March, thousands of workers of AICCTU in various factories struck work.AICCTU took charge of enforcing strike at Sedarapet Industrial Estate which is the largest one in Puducherry. All operations of production units in the entire industrial estate came to a grinding halt on 29th March.There was a complete Bandh in Puducherry. Nearly 2000 workers of central trade unions, including AICCTU, courted arrest along with opposition party MLAs of DMK and Congress on 29th. The State Government employees took out a rally on the same day. BSNL employees demonstrated against Modi government policies.

On 29th March, all unions affiliated to AICCTU, including construction workers, struck work. All the government and private transport vehicles were off the road on the bandh day. In Puducherry, it was a total industrial strike and a bandh by all traders in solidarity with workers cause.

Rajasthan

The two days' All India General Strike was largely successful in state. In industrial cities like Jaipur, Alwar and Udaipur, workers from all sectors gathered in thousands and marched on the roads.

In Jaipur, on 28th, hundreds of workers of central trade unions, including AICCTU, gathered at Saheed Smarak and marched to the Collectorate, where after a meeting addressed by leaders, a memorandum to the President  was also given via the District Collector.

In a similar rally at Udaipur, over one thousand workers gathered at the town hall and marched to the collectorate. AICCTU participation was quite impressive in programs at Udaipur and Jaipur.

Similar joint programs were also held at Alwar, Kota, Ajmer, Sikar, Hanumangarh, Pali and Banswada. Farmers organised rallies and demonstrations in support of the workers' strike, demanding withdrawal of the regressive labour codes and against the ever increasing price rise.

In Chittorgarh, AICCTU comrades held a day-long sit-in at the collectorate. In Pratapgarh too, our comrades submitted a memorandum to the Collector. AIKM comrades in Jhunjhunu organised a protest rally at Buhana sub-divisional office and submitted a memorandum.

West Bengal

Defying Mamata Government's anti-strike, pro-corporate stand, working people of Bengal, including peasants, actively participated in the two days’ strike on 28-29 March. Though there was a mixed response in the Jute Mills, Tea Gardens, factories and industrial establishments, the financial sector and the Postal department witnessed overwhelming response against the corporate policies of the Modi Government.

Numerous rallies, meetings, road and rail blockades were organised. AICCTU initiated a massive independent campaign before and on the Strike days. In Kolkata, AICCTU and other CTU's took out impressive rallies both on 28 and 29 March along with other independent federations. On 24th, a joint jail bharo/ courting arrest programme was organised. On 29th, AICCTU took independent initiatives at Moulali, Kolkata, and burnt the effigy of Modi. CPI-ML General Secretary Comrade Dipankar also participated in the programme.

Odisha

AICCTU actively participated in different districts including the capital city of Bhubaneswar. All affiliated unions among construction workers, Railway contract workers, sanitation workers and loading and unloading workers enthusiastically participated in the strike and demonstrations. AICCTU affiliated union, Denzong Beverage Workers’ Union, in Khurda industrial area, picketed the roads. In Rayagada, scheme and construction workers participated in big numbers in a rally at Gunupur town. At Puri, Railway sanitation workers, contract and construction workers went on strike. Similarly at Bhubaneswar, the sanitation contract and construction workers protested at the railway station, in front of RBI and SBI and city Bus stand and master canteen square. In Bhadrak district, construction workers, self-help groups and domestic workers organised protests on 42-NH and Bhadrak city. Protest demonstrations were organised at Gajapati, Kendrapara, Sonepur, Dhenkanal and Balangir districts with impressive participation of construction workers, ASHA and Anganwadi workers of AICCTU. Overall, the strike had a good impact in cities and rural areas.

Uttarakhand

In Haldwani, the most important centre after the state capital,  impressive demonstrations and day-long sit-ins were organized, led by AICCTU. Employees of the financial and government sector, on the one hand, ASHA, Mid-day meal, and industrial workers on the other, joined the strike on both days.

In the state capital, Dehradun, AICCTU workers participated in the joint demonstration.

In NHPC, Dharchula, AICCTU led contract workers’ union, the sole union in the establishment, observed the strike on both days and held a procession in the town joining hands with other sections of workers.

Taking the lead, Scheme workers throughout the state held impressive demonstrations. Led by AICCTU, ASHA workers in most of the districts of Kumaon region and anganwadi and mid-day meal workers in many districts of the region held protest programmes. In Sidcul (industrial area), led by AICCTU, the workers organised a procession. Strike was very effective in the financial sector and the postal department.

Karnataka

2 days strike was successfully carried out in Karnataka and the AICCTU played a key role. AICCTU also held a demonstrations in  several districts across the State including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Raichur, Koppal, Davangere, Kolar and Mangalore.

As a part of the strike, on the night of 27th March, a torch light procession was also organised.

At Gangavathi town, Koppal district, thousands of workers went on a procession on 28th March. All unions affiliated to AICCTU, including Auto Technicians, Municipal Workers, Agricultural workers, construction workers, etc., participated in the strike.

On 28th March, protests were held at the Taluk office and at various Panchayat Offices at Kolar and on 29th March, a huge gathering protested outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kolar district. Similarly, rallies were held in Sindhanur, Raichur District, Bangarpet, Harapannahalli, Davangere, and various other parts of the State.

On 28th and 29th rallies took place across the Bengaluru city. Municipal workers, industrial workers, readymix workers, Hospital workers, library workers, ITI workers, among others, joined the Strike. In Bengaluru, on 28th March, there were rallies across the cityq including several industrial areas where street corner meetings were held. On 29th March, thousands of workers gathered at Freedom Park where a huge public meeting was held by the Joint Committee for Trade Unions.

Assam

Across the State, public transport was off the road. Scheme workers, particularly ASHA workers, observed the Strike in full spirits. AICCTU affiliated All Assam ASHA Association took active and organised initiatives in places like Dibrugarh and Diphu.

The contract workers of Oil establishments had organised strike befittingly.

In the Tea sector, AICCTU affiliated Asom Sangrami Chah Shramik Sangha was active in making wider propaganda among tea gardens in its areas of operation. But, Strike was partial, including in tea estates in Golaghat district. In Tinsukia mainly, a tea workers' rally was organised, calling upon the public and the business community to observe Bandh on the days of Strike, and the same had a good impact.

In Silchar and Bishwanath, hundreds of workers were arrested during a mass propaganda on the first day of Strike. A joint meeting of ASHA, Anganwadi and Mid-Day meal workers was held to make wider propaganda for the Strike at Roha (Nagaon district). Also, workers were arrested in Nagaon while picketing.

General Strike particularly on the 28th March was relatively better.

Maharashtra

In Ahmednagar district, anganwadi workers participated in large numbers in a sit-in at the main gate of Jila parishad. Industrial workers participated in the strike and sit-in. The city municipal corporation workers participated in the dharna after  striking work.

In Nanded District, workers participated in a strike and took out a march. About 3000 workers participated in the march at the district Collector office. Our members from forest department, social forestry department and municipal workers and jìla Parishad workers participated in the rally.

In Aurangabad, workers assembled at Kranti chowk in the city and took out a procession and demonstrated.  Workers from different sections participated. In Pune, workers from different sections participated in a demonstration at the Collector Office. At Kolhapur, workers from engineering industry and cooperative banks joined hands with workers of PSUs, government employees and ASHA workers and organised demonstrations on both the days. Anganwadi workers from the district participated in a mammoth demonstration at the house of the Labour minister.

Retired workers/ pensioners made common cause with other workers at Sangli and Nasik and demonstrated at Collector offices.

Chattisgarh

On 28th March, joint trade union rallies and demonstrations were held at Rajnand gaon and Bilaspur with a good participation of AICCTU. On 29th March, an impressive rally and demonstration at collector office were held under the banners of AICCTU and Chattisgarh Mukti Morcha. In Rajnandgaon, the municipal contract sanitation workers led by AICCTU observed the strike on 28th March for which they were penalised and refused employment the next day by the administration.

In BALCO, Korba, around 70 percent of workers observed the strike and participated in joint demonstrations on both days. In Bhilai Steel Plant joint demonstrations were held at main gates on both days with the participation of AICCTU affiliated union, CSW (Centre of Steel Workers).

Uttar Pradesh

All AICCTU affiliated unions took active part in the strike, on both days, in two dozen districts of the state. Various sections of workers - industrial workers, particularly in Kanpur and Noida, workers of local bodies, including water and municipal corporations, IIFCO, scheme workers like ASHA, anganwadi and mid-day meal, construction, MNREGA, health workers and contract workers of various establishments participated in good numbers under the banner of AICCTU in independent and joint rallies and demonstrations. The participation of women workers from sectors like scheme, construction and industries was impressive.   

Bihar

Big joint trade union demonstrations were held in state capital, Patna, on both days. The participation of AICCTU was most impressive. Demonstrations were held in the central part of Patna at Dakbangla Chowk, resulting in a traffic jam for several hours. Observing the strike, scheme workers - ASHA, anganwadi and mid-day meal - held impressive demonstrations throughout the state. Similarly, construction and agricultural workers also participated in a big way. The rail and road blockades were organized at several important centres. Led by AICCTU, Municipal sanitation workers observed the strike in several cities. Also, led by AICCTU, the state government employees held demonstrations in almost all district headquarters focussing on the issues of restoration of OPS.