Telangana: RTC unions to go on strike from February 9

This is the first time after five years that the RTC unions are resorting to a strike

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) unions on Monday announced an indefinite statewide strike from February 9.

The Joint Action Committee, comprising members from a host of RTC unions, submitted a strike notice to VC Sajjanar, the Corporation’s Managing Director, at Bus Bhavan on Monday.

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The JAC members contend that they are vexed over the Congress government’s apathy and inaction towards the welfare of the RTC employees.

“Despite being in power for 14 months, the State government is yet to ground a single welfare measure aimed at RTC employees and their family members. We have submitted our charter of demands and if they are not met in the coming days, a massive strike will be launched,” the JAC members said after meeting the RTC MD.

If successful, it would be first RTC union strike to be taken up in the last five years. The RTC union leaders expressed dissatisfaction over the State government’s inaction on promises made to the Corporation’s employees.

There is a sense of fear among RTC employees regarding speculations of RTC privatisation that are circulating in Telangana. The employees fear that such a move could lead to large-scale retrenchment. Furthermore, the RTC unions are also dissatisfied with the lack of wage revisions and nonpayment of pending dues/arrears.

The RTC union leaders charged that the State government was neglecting its promises that were made during the election campaign, which included RTC’s merger with the government, removal of restrictions on trade unions and immediate implementation of wage hikes.

They also expressed concerns that deploying electric buses as part of modernising the RTC fleet could jeopardise thousands of jobs. These buses are maintained by private operators, RTC union leaders said, and warned of intensifying their protests Statewide if their demands are not met.