CHENNAI: Talks between the Tamil Nadu government and the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Organisations and the Government Employees Organisations (JACTO-GEO) failed on Monday, prompting the union coalition to announce an indefinite statewide strike beginning January 6.

The meeting, held at the state secretariat in Chennai, included senior ministers — Public Works Minister EV Velu, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi — and leaders from 34 teachers' and government employees' associations.

The unions presented a list of demands, including the revival of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), filling of vacant posts, correction of promotion and seniority anomalies, equitable pay scales, and other welfare issues.

No official statement was issued by the government following the discussions. JACTO-GEO later declared the talks had failed, attributing the breakdown to the government’s lack of commitment. They particularly criticised the delay in finalising a pension report.

A committee led by senior IAS officer Gagandeep Singh Bedi had submitted an interim report on September 30 and sought additional time for a final version — a move unions called a ‘ploy’ to avoid a concrete decision.

This strike announcement follows earlier protests, including a one-day token strike on November 18 and a hunger strike at all district headquarters on December 13. In preparation for the indefinite action, JACTO-GEO will hold district-level conferences on December 27.