RTC strike ends; MD says won’t take back workers

Hyderabad: The 52-day long strike of the employees of Telangana Road Transport Corporation led by the RTC Joint Action Committee has been called off. The JAC announced this on Monday and advised employees to resume duty from Tuesday.

RTC’s JAC convener, Ashwathama Reddy, said that keeping in view the difficulties faced by the people of the state and financial struggle being faced by the RTC employees, the strike has been called off.

The JAC on Monday had a discussion with trade unions and leaders of various political parties at the Employees Union office, following the announcement of the calling off of the strike.

Mr Reddy said that all RTC workers are advised to arrive at their respective depots and resume duty from Tuesday morning, and requested the corporation to allow the employees to take up their duties without any objections. He appealed to the temporary drivers and conductors not to attend duty as the JAC has called off the strike.

RTC managing director, Sunil Sharma, however, said that until the orders are issued from the labour commissioner on the legality of the strike, the Corporation will not take any steps with regard to the striking employees or taking them back on duty.

He also said that the employees are hoping that they would get justice in the labour court.

The fight against the privatisation of the RTC will continue as some officials are trying to sell the assets of the corporation, he said.

“It is painful that the government has not responded to the strike of the RTC employees even after 52 days. The employees did not lose the fight nor did the state government win the fight with the employees,” said Reddy.

RTC employees who work in the first shift should arrive at the depots on Tuesday morning and take up their duties. “The fight has helped us save the RTC and protect workers' rights. It is our moral victory. We thank all those who supported the employees during the strike,” said Reddy.

Expressing concern over the death of 29 employees, Reddy said that the JAC would strike until the families of the bereaved are delivered justice.

Referring to the Supreme Court, Reddy said that the government should take the employees back on duty without putting any conditions on them and the JAC requested the state to follow the apex court's ruling.