Ninth General Strike on 29th September 2005.

National Trade Union Convention on 9th July 2005.

As per call of the Sponsoring Committee of Trade Unions, in which Central TUs AITUC, AICCTU, CITU, HMS, TUCC, UTUC and UTUC-LS as also All India Federations/Associations of employees in Bank, Insurance, Railways, Central and State government Departments, Telecom, Postal, Defence, Petroleum and other sectors are participants, a National Convention of Trade Unions was held on 9th July 2005 at Mavlankar Hall Auditorium, New Delhi to discuss about the attacks on the working class and as also on the major demands on which the cental government is taking a very negative stand and to plan agitational programmes including strike. Though the United Progressive Alliance Government has come in to power defeating the BJP led NDA Alliance, it is continuing the same neo-liberal policies. The Convention denounced the Supreme Court pronouncement against the Right to Strike and demanded the Central Government to take appropriate steps to negate the pernicious impact of the said judgment. The Convention looked forward for a change  in the negative policy of the government towards a pro-worker stand. The government is yet to appoint  VI Central Pay Commission although delay has already taken place. Reduction in the interest rate on  EPF is to be withdrawn and former position restored.

After thorough discussion, the Convention adopted  a comprehensive Declaration with the following 16 Point Charter of Demands and Action Programme.

  1. Comprehensive Legislation for Unorganised Workers
  2. Improve  National Employment Guarantee Bill
  3. Revive Sick PSUs
  4. No Privatisation / Disinvestment of PSUs
  5. No FDI hike in Telecom.
  6. Ensure Employment to unemployed
  7. No Downsizing of Workforce
  8. Stop Contractorisation
  9. Implementation of Labour Laws.
  10. No Sexual Harassment at Work Place
  11. Review Electricity Act
  12. Right to Strike
  13. Remove Ceiling on payment of Bonus
  14. Raise Interest  on GPF/EPF etc.
  15. Strengthen Public Distribution System.
  16. Recover NPAs and Unpaid Tax Arrears from Corporates.

Action Programme:

20th July – 20th August 2005 : State/District/Sectoral Conventions

27th August – 7th September 2005 : Demonstrations/Rallies/Dharnas in all workplaces culminating in District/State level rallies

15th September 2005: National mobilisation Day and serving Strike Notice

29th September 2005: Country Wide General Strike

In continuation of the Sponsoring Committee Convention, a largely attended Covention of CPSU Workers was held which ratified the decision of the National Convention on the demands and the programmes, including General Strike on 29th September 2005.

All the action programmes were implemented with massive participation in all parts of the country.

General Strike on 29th September 2005.

The General Strike was a big success with massive participation of more than 6 crores, the largest strike so far called by the Central Trade Unions. The strike was complete in most of the sectors. Offices and Factories stood closed with nobody in attendance. Striking workers organised demonstrations in front of their offices/factories. In Kerala and W.Bengal, the strike was almost a Bandh with even shops being closed. Mass organisations conducted Rasta-Roko blocking trains and buses. The strike was historic both in number of participants and wider reach.