The first round of transport workers’ wage revision talks at the Metropolitan Transport Corporation Training Centre at Chrompet ended in a clash between two trade unions on Monday.
The talks were held as per the announcement of Transport Minister R. Senthil Balaji in the Assembly recently. Representatives from 41 trade unions, including LPF, ATP, CITU, AITUC, INTUC, HMS and MLF, took part in the meeting with a 14-member committee officials headed by P. Umanath, Additional Secretary, State Finance Department.
The negotiations went on smoothly till the workers owing allegiance to Anna Thozhirsanga Peravai (ATP) and Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) abused each other and exchanged blows.
In the stone-pelting that ensued, a vehicle owned by DMK leader and seven other government vehicles were damaged.
“The situation was brought under control within 20 minutes. An unruly remark made by someone in the crowd might have triggered the clash,” said a senior police official at the spot.
K. Natarajan, treasurer of LPF, told The Hindu : “The talks were held smoothly as many of the demands were agreed by the transport department and atmosphere has been conducive to find amiable solutions to the long-pending issues.”
ATP State general secretary R. Chinnasamy said, “The talks were inconclusive for want of time and after the couple of rounds of talks, signing of the wage revision agreement is likely to be held in the presence of the Transport Minister.”
The next round of talks would be held on March 12 at the same venue, said a transport department official.
