The strike notice given by the two recognised unions in the AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) – the APSRTC Employees Union and National Mazdoor Union, in the Seemandhra region, informing the management about their intention to go off work from Monday midnight (August 12) has triggered adverse reactions from the management.
Addressing the Employees Union leaders, the RTC Executive Director, Vijayawada zone, R. Nagaraju, has asked them to withdraw the strike call in the interest of the Corporation and the public.
Citing clauses of Industrial Dispute Act 1947, which made it mandatory for parties seeking to stage a protest to issue a strike notice at least 14 days in advance, Mr. Nagaraju said the proposed strike in this regard would be deemed as unlawful and the employees participating in it would attract disciplinary action against them.
In an attempt to make the employees understand the disastrous consequences of a strike at this crucial juncture, he said besides accumulated losses to the tune of Rs. 3,000 crore, the RTC had incurred debts of Rs. 4,000 crore.
Against this backdrop, if the employees go ahead with their strike, the Corporation would not be in a position to even pay salaries to its staff, he said.
Mr. Nagaraju said the ongoing Sravana Maasam that heralds marriages, was a crucial time for RTC, as it could try to make up for the losses incurred to some extent.
A decision to give up the proposed strike would benefit both the employees, as well as the RTC management, he said.
Seeking to remind that as per Government orders, RTC comes in purview of the Emergency Services Act, he said the employees who would participate in the strike would attract disciplinary action besides having to pay for the lost revenue to the organisation. Contract employees would be immediately terminated from service, he added.
