Pay hike delayed, 1,500 court staff go on strike

The city civil court, the sessions court as well as other smaller courts across the city wore a deserted look, on Thursday, following a strike by 1,500 members of the court staff.

The city civil court, the sessions court as well as other smaller courts across the city wore a deserted look, on Thursday, following a strike by 1,500 members of the court staff.

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More than 40,000 members of the court staff from across the state were protesting against the non-implementation of a Supreme Court order that directed the state to give court clerks a pay hike.

The court employees’ union members said they were protesting against the lethargic approach of the government, which has not given them a pay hike despite the order.

“This was just a day’s strike and if our demands are not met then the entire staff will go on an indefinite strike from February 11,” said Vandana Modak, president of the Mumbai City Civil and Session Court workers union.

While the litigants and the advocates witnessed shut courtrooms, some judges headed for home in the post lunch session.

“My case was up for hearing but it was adjourned because of this strike. The judge also adjourned around ten other cases,” said advocate Latika Nevrekar.

The court employees’ union said the apex court had appointed the Shetty commission to look in to the demand of the pay hike.

Though many of the staff members went on strike and boycotted work, some reported to work and were present in court till evening.