The state’s transport workers’ unions have declared an indefinite bus strike starting on Tuesday ahead of the Pongal festival holidays in Tamil Nadu. They claim that the state government has not been taking any of their demands into consideration. The strike includes members of the main unions, including the Anna Thozhir Sanga Peravai (ATSP), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), and Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU). The unions had made a number of demands, such as signing the 15th wage revision agreement to raise wages, filling open positions for bus drivers and conductors, and providing retired workers with their due compensation—which hasn’t been paid out in eight years—as well as dearness allowances (DA) of Rs 6000 per month.
However, the transport strike called by various transport employees unions demanding the 15th wage revision has not affected the operation of buses including the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) today.
According to the MTC official, in the city where MTC is the sole bus operator a total of 2,098 buses were operated against the normal operation of 2,025 buses.
Tamil Nadu Transport Minister SS Sivasankar has termed the strike as a ‘political move’.
He inspected Chennai Koyambedu Bus Stand and advised transport officials for smooth operation despite strike call by various transport unions today.
“For political reasons, such protests are diversion. This is Pongal time. We need to function on special buses. This time such a strike would affect the public. DMK always works for the benefits of Transport workers. DMK has fulfilled many promises. Even in the six demands we are just asking for time,” he said.