With contract employees and daily wage workers of AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) in the city launching an indefinite strike on Monday, Special Chief Secretary, Tourism and Culture Chandana Khan will hold talks with the union leaders on Tuesday to hammer out a solution.
The 300-odd workers of APTDC, which includes those engaged for boating in the city and operating guided trips in the corporation’s own vehicles, began the strike in response to the call by CITU-affiliated APTDC Contract Daily Wage Manpower Workers’ Union. This came as a setback when the employees and contract workers of the corporation in the Agency area continuing their strike for fifth consecutive day.
Their demands, inter alia, include regularisation of contract employees as per agreement signed with the management in 2010, stoppage of outsourcing and spending of part of income on development of Borra and other areas. “We will continue the strike till our genuine demands are conceded. Social security matters a lot for all the workers – both taken on contract and daily wage payment,” G. Koteswara Rao, honorary president of the union said.
Immediately after arrival from Hyderabad, Ms. Khan will rush to Araku. After finishing the talks there, she will meet District Collector V. Seshadri. “We are expecting a solution soon,” APTDC General Manager Umamaheswara Rao said.
Due to the strike by the employees and tribal guides, APTDC cancelled bookings at its resorts at Araku, Anantagiri and Tyda. It also closed Borra caves for the visitors. With the employees launching a strike in the city on Monday, guests staying at Harita Resorts, Rushikonda and Yatri Nivas had a difficult time.
Boating and bus/taxi service to Araku valley, being operated by APTDC, were suspended due to the strike launched on Monday.
