Industrial Relations: India braces for 24 hour strike.

India is set for chaos on Sept 29 when airlines, transport workers, banks, insurance, post, mines, jute and textiles industries workers and public sector unit employees are expected to join the 24-hour strike called by Left-affiliated trade unions.

Despite the threat of fines and state governments - including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, warning employees against joining the strike, public sector units workers have vowed to make the strike a success.

About 20,000 members of the Airports Authority of India Joint Forum have pledged support for the strike. Twenty-nine airports across the country will be affected and the civil aviation is enlisting the army, the navy and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's support to try to ease the situation for travellers.

The unions have a 16-point charter of demand claiming that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government has reneged on its promise to better the lives of the working class.