From Labour File (Right to Information and Labour ) Vol. 6, No. 6, November-December 2008 (Struggle Notes – Pay Revision Announced: Teachers Withdraw Strike- -Pages 51-52)
With the approval of the pay revision for the central university teachers by the Union cabinet and the Lok Sabha, the ongoing indefinite strike has been suspended.
The indefinite strike of the university and college teachers, against the impasse with the union government in announcing their pay revision, was suspended on 16 December 2008 after the HRD minister Arjun Singh informed the teachers on strike that the pay revision report had already been announced in the Lok Sabha. The teachers had opted for indefinite strike on 15 December 2008 because the Federation of Central Universities Teachers Associations (FEDCUTA) deadline for the approval of the wage revision was 12 December 2008.
Teachers from various central universities, including Aligarh Muslim, University, Allahabad Central University, Assam Central University, Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Jamia Millia Islamia and Visva Bharati observed the strike by not taking classes.
The teachers unions have welcomed the new pay revision, including the rejection of the hierarchy and the introduction of professorships in undergraduate and post-graduate colleges, which according to them would boost higher education.
Though happy with the revision, FEDCUTA officials have informed that they will study the pay revision and give their critique on it..