The unions of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) on Monday announced state-wide strike from May 6. The RTC workers submitted the strike notice to the Labour Commissioner and the Corporation’s Managing Director, VC Sajjanar at Bus Bhavan on Monday.
The JAC (Joint Action Committee) of RTC workers stated that the RTC staff will boycott duties from May 7, if their demands are not accepted.
Vexed over the State government’s apathy towards RTC employees, the TGSRTC union members said that none of their demands have been met so far by the State government.
This is the first time after five years that the RTC unions are resorting to strike. Earlier, too, they had issued strike notices to the government and the corporation management.
The union leaders had
expressed dissatisfaction over the State government‘s inaction on promises made to the Corporation employees, despite being in power for over 16 months. No wage revisions and nonpayment of dues are forcing the workers to protest.
The union leaders accuse the State government of neglecting their promises made during the election campaign, including those of the TGSRTC’s merger with the government, removal of restrictions on trade unions and immediate implementation of wage hikes. Additionally, they alleged that their salaries are also not being credited.
They lamented that deploying electric buses as part of RTC is putting thousands of jobs at risk. These buses, they allege are maintained by private operators. The union leaders have warned the State government of intensifying their protests Statewide if their demands are not met.