Coal India worker unions have virtually declared 'war' against the government's decision to allow additional stake sale in the company. "The decision is a provocation for an immediate strike," said Jibon Roy, general secretary at All India Coal Workers' Federation. "The government took the decision without consulting us even as we had recently requested them to hold meetings before any such decisions. Now, it's war," Roy said. SQ Zama, general secretary, Indian National Mineworkers' Federation, said the divestment decision following our submission of work-to-rule ten days ago amounts to direct 'affront' to the five operating central trade unions of Coal India which represents almost 90% of the workforce. "As per the notice submitted earlier, the unions will observe work-to-rule from September 18 to 20 and the steering committee of the five unions is already scheduled to meet on September 21 to finalise the future course of action, including intensified agitation programme," Zama said.

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