The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has appealed to the State government to provide a monthly interim relief of Rs. 3,000 each to employees of State Transport Corporations till the new wage settlement is arrived at.
A resolution to this effect was adopted at the 40th anniversary meeting of Government Transport Madurai Employees’ Association.
The resolution said the new wage agreement, made once in three years, should have come into effect on September 1, 2013.
However, talks with the trade unions were yet to be held.
Inaugurating a two-day conference on Sunday, CITU State president A. Soundararajan said prices of all essential commodities had increased.
The 1.25 lakh transport employees were unable to make both ends meet with the current salary. Hence, the interim relief should be provided and later adjusted in accordance with the outcome of the talks.
The talks could not be held as the State government said that the Labour Progressive Union, which was earlier the only recognised union, had lost its majority through the check- off system.
While the government wanted to invite all trade unions for talks, the LPF had got a stay on it, Mr. Soundararajan added.
