The Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Organisations and Government Employees’ Organisations (JACTTO-GEO) declared on Monday, December 22, 2025, that it will begin an indefinite strike from January 6, 2026. The union’s leaders met with Public Works Minister E.V. Velu, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi earlier, but “the talks were disappointing,” the union said in a release. To express their protest, members will wear black badges on December 27. The union demands the revival of the old pension scheme, scrapping of the new pension scheme, fair pay scales, timely promotions, clearance of pending increments, regularisation of part-time and temporary employees, and restoration of special pay. JACTTO-GEO also criticised the government for excluding union groups affiliated with them from the talks while including pro-government organisations. Union officials told reporters that they will continue protests and approach the court to push for their demands. They said, “We have not placed any new demand. We only reiterated our existing demands and asked the government to explain its stand. However, we are disappointed with the talks.” They accused the government of being controlled by IAS officials and unable to act on employee and teacher welfare. When asked about the impact on the upcoming Assembly election, they declined to comment on electoral politics, stating, “We do not want to take advantage of the election period. The government gave us a lot of hope. As its tenure is coming to an end, we urge the government to fulfil our demands.”