Chandigarh, Aug. 31 -- Stepping up confrontation with the Punjab government, the protesting staff, under the banner of "Punjab Sanjha Mulazim Manch" (Joint Employees' Forum), on Sunday decided to go on mass leave on September 8 if notices issued to them over the August 27 strike are not withdrawn.

The move followed a meeting of different unions in Ludhiana to decide the next course of action. After a three-hour discussion, the Joint Coordination Committee of government employees unveiled an elaborate road map for escalated agitation, including another mass casual leave on October 21 and 22.

"The government's inability to address the demands of employees, pensioners and honorarium workers has left them with no option but to intensify the...