The employees of public sector company, BSNL have warned that they could go on a nationwide strike on Thursday after the talks between the unions and management on some aspects did not result in agreements.

V. A. N. Namboodiri said, Convener, Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Associations/Unions of BSNL Executives and Non-Executives said that discussion took place between the unions and MTNL management on Monday but it did not bring any agreements.

He said, “There is no change in the decision to go on strike on Thursday.” The discussions were on the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) and other issues. It came after a central government committee recommended VRS for BSNL employees in order to reduce wage bills.

It is believed that the central government is aiming from 3 lakh workers by 1 lakh. The PSU wants to offer the VRS to all the employees who have who have completed 45 years and served on a regular basis for 15 years.

“The BSNL's fortunes witnessed a decline after the management cancelled a tender for procurement of 4.5-crore mobile lines in 2007 and a 9.5-crore mobile lines tender in 2010, leaving the company with an acute shortage of mobile lines and equipment that resulted in an erosion in its market share and a loss of revenue,” Mr. Namboodiri said.