The Maruti Udyog Employees Union (MUEU) on Tuesday went on a six-hour tools-down strike, which threatened to affect production by 25 per cent, protesting the suspension of nine workers and demanding revision of incentive-based production and pension schemes.

However, the MUL management, in a statement issued here on Tuesday, termed the strike as illegal and pointed out that negotiations are being held for the incentive scheme which is due for revision. ``The next meeting for the same is scheduled to be held on October 5.''

Regarding their suspension orders, the statement said, ``Though the management has been keeping all doors of dialogue open, certain activities of indiscipline came to the notice of the management and appropriate action as per the standing orders of the company has been taken.''

``The employees union, on their part, has resorted to an illegal strike on Tuesday, without giving any notice to the management.''

Though the workers stated that the strike is likely to affect output by 25 per cent, MUL managing director Jagdish Khattar told that production has been normal and has not been affected much. Maruti's daily output is about 1,400 cars.

Irked over the suspension of the nine employees and seeking speedy settlement of the issue, MUEU general secretary Mathew Abraham also went on fast unto death.

MUEU treasurer GK Walia said, ``The workers have decided to strike work for two hours on every shift today.''

Meanwhile, the Union joint secretary Madan Lal sharma in a letter addressed to Mr Khattar, said, ``Instead of inviting the union for a meaningful discussion, the management victimised nine members of our Union by suspending them from the services of MUL.''

Mr Abraham said, ``The tool-down strike will be continued if there is no positive response from the MUL management.'' ``We are waiting for the response of the management. If their attitude is positive, we will also respond positively. If it is negative, our response will also be the same,'' he added.

Mr Abraham further said heavy industries minister Manohar Joshi had at a recent meeting assured the workers that a fresh round of negotiations to resolve the industrial unrest at mul will commence soon. Mr Abraham said the employees will continue with the agitation and slogan shouting.