Major Trade Union Pushes for Key Changes in 8th CPC: Calls for National Strike on 12 February 2026

प्रमुख ट्रेड यूनियन ने 8वें CPC की शर्तों में बदलाव, 50% DA/DR मर्जर, 20% अंतरिम राहत की मांग की है – 12 फरवरी 2026 के लिए हड़ताल का नोटिस जारी किया गया।

Major Trade Union Pushes for Key Changes in 8th CPC: A major central government employees’ trade union, the has officially issued a strike notice to the addressed to the Cabinet Secretary at. The union has announced a one-day nationwide strike on 12 February 2026, citing several long-pending demands related to pay revision, pension reforms, and employee welfare.

1. Modify the Terms of Reference of the 8th CPC

Employees demand that the Government immediately revise the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 8th Central Pay Commission. They insist that inputs and suggestions provided by the Confederation and the Staff Side of the National Council–JCM be incorporated to ensure fair revision of salary and pension structures.

2. Merge 50% DA/DR with Pay and Grant 20% Interim Relief

One of the most significant demands is the merger of 50% Dearness Allowance/Dearness Relief with basic pay/pension. Additionally, the Confederation seeks a 20% Interim Relief (IR) for all Central Government employees and pensioners effective from 1 January 2026, ahead of the 8th CPC implementation.

3. Restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS)

The union firmly calls for scrapping the National Pension System (NPS/UPS) and restoring the Old Pension Scheme for all employees, citing financial insecurity faced by retirees under contributory pension frameworks.

4. Release Pending DA/DR Arrears

The Confederation demands release of the 18 months of frozen DA/DR installments from the COVID-19 period. They also seek restoration of the commuted portion of pension after 11 years instead of 15 years.

5. Lift the 5% Ceiling on Compassionate Appointments

The current 5% restriction on compassionate appointments has left many dependent families without support. The Confederation demands its removal and approval of all eligible cases without cap-based rejection.

6. Stop Outsourcing & Fill Vacant Posts

Mass vacancies and outsourcing are affecting service delivery and employee morale. The union demands filling all sanctioned posts and an end to corporatization tendencies in government departments.

7. Ensure Democratic Functioning of Federations

The notice highlights issues like withdrawal of recognition for certain unions and alleged victimisation of union leaders. It urges restoration of democratic functioning as guaranteed under the JCM framework.

8. Implement Pending Arbitration Awards

The Confederation insists on immediate implementation of awards that already achieved consensus before the Board of Arbitration, including CA Ref. No. 3/2001.

9. Regularisation of Contract & GDS Workers

They demand regularisation of casual, contingent, and contractual workers, alongside granting equal status to employees of autonomous bodies at par with Central Government staff.

All India Strike Date Declared!

The strike notice signals growing dissatisfaction across Central Government sectors. With the 8th CPC timeline nearing, employees expect meaningful action on wages, pensions, and job security. The coming weeks will determine whether the Government opens dialogue or the nationwide strike on 12 February 2026 becomes inevitable.

Part B: Wider Labour-Sector Demands

Beyond Central Government service matters, the Confederation has also presented 12 broader labour-related demands, including scrapping of the four labour codes, ensuring minimum pension of ₹9,000, controlling price rise, ending privatization, ensuring right to work, and providing universal education, health, housing and social security.

1. Scrap the Four Labour Codes.
2. No casualization of work in any form like Outsource.
3. Implement Equal Pay for Equal work for contract workers.
4. Ensure Minimum Pension of Rs.9000/- p.m. and social security to all categories of workers including unorganised workers and agricultural workers,
5. Removal of all Ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund; increase quantum of gratuity.
6. Control price rise, remove GST on essential items like food, medicines, agro-inputs and machinery. reduce substantially central excise duty on petroleum products and cooking gas. Guarantee Food Security and Universalize the Public Distribution System.
7. Stop privatization of Public Sector Enterprises and corporatisation of Government Departments.
8. Withdraw the Draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
9. Right to work be made fundamental. Fill up all sanctioned posts in the Government Department and generate employment for the unemployed.
10. Guarantee Right to Free Education, Right to health, water and sanitation for all. Scrap New Education Policy, 2020. Ensure housing for all.
11. Give ESI Coverage to all unorganised Workers, with contributions from the Welfare Fund, also give coverage to health schemes, maternity benefits, life and disability insurance to all workers registered on E-Shram Portal.
12. Withdraw, The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act