Wage strike could further tar India’s coal supply

A key trade union at Coal India Ltd. has warned workers may strike over delays in finalizing salary increases, a move that would risk complicating efforts to meet soaring fuel demand.

Talks held July 1 failed to reach any agreement over a pay deal, said Sudhir Ghurde, who represented Akhil Bharatiya Khadan Mazdoor Sangh, one of the leading unions, at the meeting.

Workers are seeking a 47 per cent increase in wages — having earlier demanded a 50 per cent hike — while Coal India has offered a 3 per cent raise. A group of unions has written to the nation’s Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi and urged him to intervene to help the sides conclude negotiations.