TGSRTC Employees’ Union wins recognised union polls with 18,276 votes

The TGSRTC Employees Union won the recognised employees' union elections by securing 18,276 votes, defeating rival unions in polls conducted across 97 depots. Held after nearly a decade, the elections drew a high turnout of RTC employees and will determine employee representation in negotiations with the corporation over the next two years.

Hyderabad: The TGSRTC Employees Union (EU) emerged victorious in the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) recognised employees’ union elections, securing 18,276 votes and defeating rival unions in the polls held on October 9.

The Telangana RTC Workers Union finished second with 13,556 votes, while other major contenders included the Telangana Mazdoor Union and National Mazdoor Union.

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Several unions contested the elections with the backing of political parties, including the ruling Congress, BRS, BJP and Left parties.

The elections, conducted across 97 depots at 115 polling centres, witnessed an impressive turnout, reflecting strong participation among RTC employees. Of the corporation’s nearly 34,905 employees, more than 34,000 exercised their franchise.

The recognition polls were held after a gap of nearly a decade and assumed significance as the elected union will represent employees in discussions and negotiations with the RTC management on their service-related issues and demands.

However, the winning union had to wait for the formal issuance of its recognition certificate.

The Labour Department reportedly did not complete the formalities on October 17, the date on which the certificate was expected to be issued.

Joint Labour Commissioner Sunitha Gopal Das was associated with the election process, while the Labour Department was responsible for completing the formalities required to recognise the winning union.

The returning officer clarified that the term of the elected recognition committee would be two years.

Given the large number of employees in the Greater Hyderabad region, elaborate arrangements were made for polling across the corporation. A total of 32 polling booths were set up in Greater Hyderabad, 38 in the Hyderabad zone and 45 in the Karimnagar zone.

The election results are expected to shape the course of employee representation in the corporation over the next two years, particularly on issues concerning wages, working conditions, service benefits and other long-pending demands.