Demand for Old Pension Scheme: Civic, govt offices in Pune hit as employees cease work

Zinjurde said they have themselves dropped emergency services from the strike. “Employees of emergency services like fire, water and medical are not participating in the strike,” he said.

Zinjurde, who is leading the protest of employees of municipal corporations, municipal councils and other state government bodies, said the strike will continue till the government agrees to implement the Old Pension Scheme and other demands.

“The strike is not only in Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation or Pune Municipal Corporation. It is across the state. In municipal corporations, we have eliminated emergency services. In municipal councils, 70 per cent of the employees are on strike while 30 per cent are wearing black badges,” he said.

Zinjurde said implementation of the Old Pension Scheme was not their only demand. “We have placed 26 demands,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PCMC chief said, “Emergency services have not been affected. And wherever staff are required, we are roping in our outsourcing employees to do the job.” PCMC Deputy Municipal Commissioner Sunil Joshi said, “As many as 3,900 employees are on strike while 2,400 are working on emergency duties. I will say only 10-20 types of work have been affected. And this work relates to property and water tax collection, works of clerical nature, appointments and transfers.”

Joshi said the PCMC chief has issued notices to 1,200 employees who are already availing the Old Pension Scheme. “When these employees are already getting the old pension scheme, why are they on a strike? They have been told to report to duty immediately or face disciplinary action,” he said.

The Mahasangh, however, said these employees are extending their support to their colleagues by participating in the strike. Zinjurde said their strike was an indefinite one. “The strike is taking place in all civic and government offices across the state. It will continue till our demands are met,” he said.