The APSRTC employees’ unions called off their eight-day-old strike on Wednesday afternoon with the A.P. Government conceding their demand for 43 per cent fitment in the talks between the Cabinet sub-committee and the employees’ unions.
The Cabinet sub-committee comprising Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Transport Minister Sidda Raghavarao and Labour Minister Atchannaidu had been holding talks with the unions for the last few days here even as the latter were firm on their pay hike with 43 per cent fitment.
The issue also figured in Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting when Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed the sub-committee to arrive at a decision that would satisfy the employees as well as financially strengthen the Corporation.
Rs.960-crore burden
The decision to give 43 per cent fitment would result in an annual burden of Rs.960 crore on the corporation, but the Government has no immediate plans to increase the fare, according to the ministers.
Later addressing the media persons here, Mr. Atchannaidu along with Mr. Raghava Rao, RTC union leaders Padmakar, Y. Srinivasa Rao and Managing Director N.Sambasiva Rao said that the arrears of last two years from April, 2013 amounted to Rs.1,200 crore.
But in view of poor financial position of the corporation with about Rs.4,000 crore losses and Government not in a position to bail out the Corporation, employees have agreed to the condition that arrears would be paid along with the retirement benefits of the employees as and when they retired.
The corporation, however would disburse the new pay scale arrears for April and May, 2015 in two instalments during Dasara and Deepavali festival, he said.
RTC incurs Rs.100 crore loss
Mr.Raghava Rao said that the RTC incurred a loss of Rs.100 crore in the last eight days. He appreciated the unions for agreeing for payment of two years' arrears along with retirement benefits.
Both the ministers said that the Cabinet sub-committee would continue to meet and explore ways and means to consider the suggestions given by the unions for strengthening the corporation financially. They said that in future unions should not resort to strike but resolve issues through discussions.
APSRTC MD Sambasiva Rao said that though 70 per cent of bus services became operational people faced hardships. He thanked the Cabinet sub-committee for their initiative in resolving employees’ demands.
Employees Union leader Padmakar and NMU leader Srinivasa Rao thanked the Chief Minister, Cabinet sub-committee and apologised to the public for inconvenience due to strike.
