Employee stir forces civic body to bend

As a result of the 'pen down broom down' protest by three labour unions representing 3,500 employees of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC), the class IV employees got their salaries on Thursday.

As a result of the 'pen down broom down' protest by three labour unions representing 3,500 employees of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC), the class IV employees got their salaries on Thursday.

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The scrapping of the octroi by the state government, has put tremendous pressure on the civic body. Citing lack of funds, the corporation did not pay the salaries and pensions to its employees. So, the unions began their strike call on Thursday.

While none of the sweepers worked, the employees too just filled in for the day without carrying out their duties.

The unions also held a 'bell-ringing' session to draw the attention of the administration towards their plight.

Charansingh Tak, president, Bharaitya Safai Mazdoor Congress, said, "Our union had warned the civic body against scrapping the octroi. Still, they went ahead with it. Now the civic chief is citing helplessness. But, we too are left with no choice."

"The second phase of the agitation will start on April 16 and 17, while the third phase will begin on May 4."

The remaining staff will get their salaries in the coming week."