Telangana’s RTC Unions to Go on an Indefinite Strike From June 11, CM KCR Threatens Workers

 In spite of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s warning to the state’s Road Transport Corporation (RTC) workers that they will be removed from their jobs if they participate in the announced strike, RTC Union leaders have affirmed that the workers are all set to go for the indefinite strike from June 11 across the state.

The RTC workers have been demanding salary hike as per the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) for more than one year now, said V Tirupathi, President of Telangana Mazdoor Union. “The constitution of PRC of RTC employees was due as of April 1, 2017. Since then, union leaders have submitted memorandums several times to the government demanding the same. However the government officials are not even giving us any assurance in this regard, hence the strike,” said Tirupathi.

“The last pay revision, which was due in 2013, was implemented in 2015 only after the workers went for an indefinite strike. Over 53,000 RTC employees will be benefitted if the pay revision is implemented. Our union is also demanding the government to ensure job security to the workers, so that arbitrary suspensions and dismissals are avoided,” he added.

As the proposed strike was making headlines, CM K Chandrashekar Rao held a high-level committee meeting on June 7 over the issue. After the meeting, while addressing the media, Rao had warned the RTC workers that they would lose their jobs if they go ahead with the strike. He said “This will go down as the last strike in RTC history if they go ahead with the plan.” Further pointing out that the state’s RTC has an accumulated debt of around Rs 3,000 crore, Rao warned that RTC will be reorganised. He said “There are 10 RTC corporations in Tamil Nadu, seven in Maharashtra and four in Karnataka. If the losses continue, it will lead to reorganisation or division of the state’s RTC also.” He added that if the pay revision is done as per the demand, the state government will be burdened by Rs 1,400 crore per year. Sources said that the officials have also discussed on the alternative transport arrangements to be made during the strike.

Notwithstanding with the Chief Minister’s threats, the unions have reiterated that the workers will not drop their strike as planned. “The state’s RTC has been improving its performance every year. All the workers from various unions will wear black flags and participate in the strike until the government assures pay hike in written form,” said Tirupathi.

Reportedly, loss amounting to Rs 4 crore per day will be incurred if the RTC workers go on strike. Eight unions in RTC Joint Action committee will be participating in the strike.