Bus strike may hit pooja holiday travel

Chennai: A section of government transport workers as well as the top brass of the state transport corporations are now working overtime. While the workers keep getting a late night huddle to discuss the strategies for an indefinite strike starting from next week, the officials are gearing up to break the ice with the agitated workers.

Over 23,000 TNSTC buses operate in the State and with the festive season round the corner, the workers are planning to intensify the strike during Pooja holidays. “If the buses are taken off the roads during festivals, private players would hike the prices of tickets, forcing travellers to opt for other modes of transport and this will expose the poor administration of state transport authority”, said an MTC crew member.

About 10 unions from Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), mostly affiliated to the opposition DMK and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) are ready to strike and this time the impact will be felt across the state, said MTC insiders adding that the transport minister M.R. Vijyabhakshar is still tight-lipped about the salary settlements and restoration of the old pension scheme.

Despite the labour commissionerate promising the workers that the officials would meet them on September 25, workers said they would only call off the strike if all demands are met, or it would only be delayed for two days, but the strike is certain to take place, union sources told DC.

During the DMK regime, the salary was revised in 2010 and the next revisions should have happened in 2013 and 2016, but nothing positive has happened to the transport corporation workers. “Salary settlement was delayed last time as well.

While the talks with the transport department took place only in 2014, the hike was made in 2015 when they increased 5.5 per cent, which is anywhere between Rs 1,350 and Rs 5,941,” said one of the union members.

Only 10 to 15 MTC buses would operate from each depot. With the transport system already beset by problems because of the increased use of a number of damaged buses, the strike would put the public into grave hardship.

When contacted, the transport secretary, P.W.C. Davidar said the strike would not happen, as the officials are ready to meet most of the demands of the workers and the course of action would only be given after September 25.