The officers were inducted by SAIL through a common recruitment procedure, which started in 1978, for all its units and then posted in Iisco. All along they were receiving the same benefits like other SAIL officers till the last two years.

Even the last pay revision of SAIL executives, which was implemented in July, 1992 with effect from January 1, 1992 was extended to the Iisco officers. Subsequently, SAIL further amended the grade structure and perks in January, 1997 with effect from April 1, 1996 but it was not extended to the Iisco officers.

Iisco, which was nationalised in 1972 was referred to the Board for Industrial Reconstruction in June, 1974. At present, a revival package worth Rs 2,100 crore is waiting for the final clearance from the government.

Chairman of the Iisco Officers Association Malay Mazumdar told The FinancialExpress that SAIL denied them a pay hike for a working in a sick organisation.

"All along we are being told that the Iisco board is not approving these legitimate pays and perks on the plea that the company is referred to the BIFR. We were even told specifically that the BIFR nominee in the board is against the hike. However it is difficult to believe that SAIL is unable to extend the minimum legitimate claims of the Iisco executives just because the company is sick," he said.

Mazumdar recollected that way back in 1978, SAIL, Iisco and Iisco Officers Association in an out of court settlement, on the directive of a Calcutta HC judge, agreed for equal pays, perks and service condition for the executives of Iisco. "Sail is breaking the terms of that agreement," he added.

The officers also noted that working for a sick organisation is neither their fault nor choice. "We were recruited by SAIL and then posted in Iisco but we could have been posted in some profit making units also. Even some of ourmembers are transferred from profitable units and posted in Iisco. So they are not responsible for Iisco sickness and they should not be penalised in this manner," Mazumdar said.

He also noted that Iisco have taken care of excise hikes and increase in the input costs. Even the salaries of the Central Industrial Security Force were increased recently. Mazumdar asks, "Then why are we going to suffer?".

The executive members of the Iisco Officers Association performed a token 12 hour hunger strike on last Thursday. On July 17, all the executives will wear black badges and follow it up with a half hour `dharna' in front of the managing director's office. If these actions fail to bear fruits, then the association will start `work to rule' from August 3.