Tamil Nadu- Transport workers begin indefinite strike ahead of Pongal, DMK sees AIADMK ‘conspiracy’

Tamil Nadu: Transport workers begin indefinite strike ahead of Pongal, DMK sees AIADMK ‘conspiracy’

An indefinite strike announced by the state’s transport workers’ unions began Tuesday ahead of the Pongal festival holidays in Tamil Nadu over their demand to release the payout of Dearness Allowance dues that have been pending for eight years. The workers have alleged that their demands are not being considered by the state administration.

The strike followed unsuccessful discussions with the MK Stalin-led government a day ago, where a coalition of various unions, including the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), presented their list of demands. Workers affiliated with major unions such as the CITU, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), and Anna Thozhir Sanga Peravai (ATSP) are participating in the strike.

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2024

Also Read:Tamil Nadu rain: ‘Orange’ alert across districts, schools and colleges shut; 9-year-old dies in Thiruvarur

Workers are calling for the release of pending dearness allowance for pensioners, amounting to Rs 6000 per month, which has remained unpaid for the past eight years. Additionally, they demand the signing of the 15th wage revision agreement to increase salaries and the filling of open positions for bus drivers and conductors.

#WATCH | Nagapattinam: Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) holds an indefinite strike across the state. pic.twitter.com/0AdQlZpTnq

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2024

Despite the strike, the regular operation of buses, including those of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), has not been affected.

#WATCH | Chennai: After inspecting the Koyambedu bus stand over the strike announcement by the Transport Union, Tamil Nadu Transport Minister SS Sivasankar says, "Overall the bus operation is very normal… As per the instructions of our CM, we are taking care of the safety and… pic.twitter.com/JYJgXFagYK

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2024

An MTC official stated that 2,098 buses were operational in Chennai, where MTC is the sole bus operator, compared to the usual 2,025 buses. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu’s Transportation Minister, SS Sivasankar, referred to the strike as a “political move.” He inspected the Chennai Koyambedu Bus Stand and provided advice to transportation officials for smooth operations.

Also Read:Start-up CEO kills her 4-year-old son at Goa apartment, arrested while fleeing with body in bag

“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.” Claiming that the DMK was committed to fulfilling promises, he urged the striking unions to consider the public’s inconvenience.”It’s your right to protest but the public shouldn’t be affected with this,” he urged the striking unions.

The Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) Union, affiliated with the DMK, urged all workers to keep the buses operational and accused the AIADMK of instigating the strike.

“LPF also has same demands. DMK government is fulfilling each demands one by one. By keeping the goodwill of the public in mind and also to break the AIADMK political motivation it is being requested to run all the buses normally,” LPF Secretary and MP Shanmugam said in a statement.