TMC's trade union wing to oppose strike in WB

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee has disapproved of the strike scheduled to be held on February 20 and 21.

INTTUC national president Subrata Mukherjee today said the trade union would campaign against the strike, which is in effect going to be a general shut down.

"Earlier we have seen such annual feature of day-long strikes, which has now turned into two days. Interestingly the Congress-backed INTUC is supporting this strike protesting against the UPA government's anti-people policies," Mukherjee, also the state's panchayat minister, said.

"There is no justification of such a strike, which we oppose strongly. Steps will be taken to keep tea gardens, port and dock fully operational on those days," he said.

CITU, INTUC, AITUC, BMS and Left-backed banking sector unions have jointly called the country-wide general strike against financial sector reforms and allowing FDI in retail.

INTTUC, he said, would organise a protest rally on February 19 in the city opposing the proposed strike.

He lambasted Leader of Opposition Surya Kanta Mishra for saying that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been calling state government-sponsored strikes in West Bengal in the name of government holidays.

There is difference between bandhs and holidays, which are announced by the state government for specific reasons. "Surya Kanta Mishra should educate himself on this before making any comment," he added.