Industrial stir: PM reaches out to INTUC chief

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has personally invited the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) president for talks ahead of the February 28 nationwide trade union strike against his government’s policies.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has personally invited the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) president for talks ahead of the February 28 nationwide trade union strike against his government’s policies.

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Sources said G Sanjeeva Reddy was invited to try and convince the unions to abandon the strike, especially in view of the economic situation.

While Reddy agreed to meet Singh, trade union sources said it was almost impossible to call off the strike.

“The PM could have called us earlier. We will talk to him after the strike,” said Gurudas Dasgupta, chief of All India Trade Union Council (AITUC).

Reddy told HT: "Although the PM said I can meet him anytime, I requested him to meet all trade union leaders as the strike was a collective call.”