Employees of Telangana RTC to Initiate Strike on May 6
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Synopsis
On April 7, the employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) declared a strike to start on May 6, focusing on their long-standing demands. They are urging for better conditions and fulfillment of commitments made by the government during the 2023 elections.
Key Takeaways
- Strike begins at midnight on May 6
- Employees demand 21 specific changes
- Previous strike planned for February postponed
- Calls for integration with state government
- Revocation of legal cases against employees
Hyderabad, April 7 (NationPress) Employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) have announced a strike starting from May 6 to advocate for their long-overdue demands.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of TGSRTC employees declared on Monday that they will commence their strike at midnight on May 6.
Strike notices have been submitted to TGSRTC Managing Director V. C. Sajjanar and the Labour Commissioner.
The notice outlines 21 key demands, including the integration of TGSRTC employees with the state government, the enforcement of two Pay Revision Commission reports, and the disbursement of Rs. 2,700 crore for the Credit Cooperative Society and Provident Fund of the employees.
According to the JAC leaders, the Congress government has not fulfilled the commitments made to the employees during the 2023 Assembly elections.
JAC chairman E. Venkanna expressed that despite the Congress party's promise to merge RTC employees with the government, it has not been realized since they took office.
The JAC also urged the government to restore trade unions, as pledged in the party’s election manifesto.
Earlier, the TGSRTC employees had planned a strike for February 9, but it was delayed due to the Model Code of Conduct for MLC elections.
On January 27, the JAC issued a strike notice to management while advocating for 21 demands, including the merger with the state government, first suggested through a government order in 2013.
The JAC requested that management expedite the fulfillment of promises made to RTC employees in the election manifesto, including the revision of salaries and allowances pending since 2021 and payment of dues from the 2017 salary revision to retired employees. They also called for the resumption of recruitment that has been halted for a decade.
The employees’ unions further insisted that RTC should procure electric buses and operate them, rather than relying on private contractors for operations and maintenance.
The JAC highlighted the work-related harassment and insecurities faced by employees. Financial stress and excessive workload have adversely affected drivers, they noted.
The unions also appealed to the state government to provide smart cards to eligible women for complimentary bus rides under the Mahalakshmi scheme, instead of the current zero tickets. They urged an increase in bus numbers to accommodate the rising passenger demand.
Additionally, revocation of cases against employees involved in protests during the 2019 RTC strike was among the JAC’s demands.
They requested the government to allocate 3 percent of the Budget for RTC’s development.
