Government employees and teachers in Tamil Nadu have announced they will launch an indefinite statewide strike from January 6, after negotiations with senior state ministers and officials failed to resolve their demands.
The strike decision was made by the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachersâ Organisations and Government Employeesâ Organisations (JACTO-GEO) following a meeting at the Chennai State Secretariat with a ministerial team that included Public Works Minister E.V. Velu, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. The talks ended without agreement.
The unions have highlighted key issues such as implementing the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), filling vacant government posts, correcting pay and seniority anomalies, and addressing other welfare concerns.
 They say these long-standing demands were not satisfactorily addressed by the government.
Earlier protests this year included token strikes and hunger strikes at district headquarters. Ahead of the indefinite strike, district-level meetings and demonstrations are planned later this month.
The unions have expressed disappointment over the failed talks and reaffirmed their commitment to the planned strike starting on January 6 if their demands remain unmet.