Ranchi, Dec. 1: The strike by the non-teaching employees of three state universities entered the third day today.

The employees are demanding central payscale and the raising of retirement age to 62 years. Work was affected in colleges under Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh, and Sidhu Kanhu University, Dumka. Most colleges under Ranchi University functioned smoothly.

Ranchi University employees have extended support to the agitation.

J.N. College, Dhurwa, is the only college in the city where employees have boycotted work for the last three days. Some colleges in rural areas have also been affected. Human resource development department sources said the meeting of the education fitment committee will be held tomorrow.

The agitation is being spearheaded by the Jharkhand Universities and Colleges Non-teaching Employees? Association. General secretary Kanhaiya Mishra said, ?We will continue our strike till our demands are met.?