RTC strike will continue: RTC JAC

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of TSRTC employees’ unions has decided to continue the strike that entered 49th day on Friday.

The JAC, which met here on Friday, gave a call to organise rallies in front of the depots in the name of ‘Save RTC’ on Saturday. It asked the employees not to sign any papers given by the management before resuming the duty at the depots concerned.

Two days ago, the JAC expressed its willingness to call off the strike on certain conditions. However, there was no response from the State government. “We are hopeful of receiving a response on Saturday,” JAC convener E Ashwathama Reddy said.

He advised the employees not to ask the management to allow them to work. “Don’t get demoralised at this juncture,” he said adding the strike would continue. The JAC leaders will meet again on Saturday to chalk out the future course



of action.

When the government expressed its inability to maintain the corporation due to Rs 5,000 crore losses, it could get financial resources by effectively utilising the RTC properties and overcome losses, he said.

Meanwhile, mild tension prevailed when the employees attempted to enter Parigi depot with the body of a driver, Bhadraiah, to stage a protest against the State government.

Bhadraiah (42) of Parigi depot, the workers alleged, was depressed over the strike getting protracted and died due to a cardiac arrest.

Employees squatted in front of the depot and raised slogans. The police, however, intervened and stopped the employees from entering the depot. As the workers continued their protest on the road till evening, senior police and revenue officials pacified them.