The APSRTC Employees Union demanded merger of the corporation with the government and recognise RTC employees as government employees. It also demanded to extend pay scales and perks on par with other government departments.
The union conducted a public meeting at Old Bus stand in the city on Monday. Union leaders claimed that over 6,000 employees from different districts participated in the meeting.
APSRTC Employees Union State president Ch. Chandrasekhar Reddy, who presided, said political parties had assured to merge the corporation during elections but nothing concrete was done.
Union’s state general secretary K. Padmakar said it was necessary for the government to merge the corporation as things were getting tough for financial sustenance. Diesel prices were being revised regularly and every year, this was resulting in additional burden of Rs. 600 crore. Authorities were finding it difficult to pay salaries of conductors and drivers due to poor financial situation, he said.
CPI State secretary K. Ramakrishna said RTC employees were against the extension of the retirement age to 60 due to ever-increasing stress. Later, union leaders explained the implementation of different policies stated in the union manifesto and future plans. MLC P.J. Chandrasekhar Rao spoke on the occasion, said a press release.
