A ministerial delegation of the Tamil Nadu government held fresh discussions with executives of the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Organisations and Government Employees’ Organisations (JACTO‑GEO) and the allied POTO‑GEO groups on Friday at the State Secretariat in Chennai amid growing tensions over a proposed indefinite strike from 6 January.
The meeting brought together senior ministers, including E.V. Velu, Thangam Thennarasu and Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, who engaged with union representatives to explore avenues for resolving long‑standing employee grievances — particularly the demand for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and other service‑related issues.
Government employees and teachers, under the umbrella of JACTO‑GEO and POTO‑GEO, have been intensifying protests across the state while insisting on a 10‑point charter of demands. The groups earlier announced plans for a statewide indefinite strike beginning January 6 if satisfactory assurances are not provided by the state administration.
The dialogue on Friday follows an earlier round of talks held on December 22, which did not result in an agreement, paving the way for the unions’ strike threat. Union leaders reiterated their demands, including the full revival of OPS in place of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) currently in effect, along with filling long‑pending vacancies and improving pay and service conditions.
While officials indicated the state government’s willingness to engage, no breakthrough was immediately announced after Friday’s session. With the January 6 deadline fast approaching, both sides face mounting pressure to find common ground and avert disruptions in public services, schools and government offices statewide.
Government employees and teachers have staged protest actions and token strikes in recent months pressing for improved welfare measures. A ministerial panel was constituted by the government in December to hold talks with JACTO‑GEO in an effort to broker a settlement before wider mobilisation escalates.