With the bus strike continuing on Monday, transport unions staged a demonstration near the Collector’s office to highlight their demands. Transport officials said that 80% buses were operated in Vellore zone (comprising Vellore and Krishnagiri districts).
According to S. Parasuraman, district secretary of CITU, Vellore, members of LPF, CITU, AITUC, HMS and INTUC took part in the protest. The transport unions launched a flash strike on Thursday evening after talks over wage-related issues with the Transport Minister ended in vain.
The employees of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) are striking from work demanding a minimum basic salary of ₹19,500 and 2.57% wage hike once in three years.
With several retired employees yet to receive monetary benefits, the unions wanted the pending dues to be cleared soon.
“The State government is asking us to withdraw the strike first and then come for talks. But the union leaders have decided to go ahead with the strike. We have received instructions to conduct ‘dharna’ near all regional offices of TNSTC along with our family members on Tuesday,” he said.
Temporary drivers
He added that about 25 to 30% government buses were operated across Vellore district on Monday. “Only five per cent of TNSTC employees turned up for work. These buses were operated with temporary drivers,” he said. On their part, the district officials said that 790 of the total 998 buses were operated in Vellore zone – comprising Vellore and Krishnagiri districts – that comes under the control of the Deputy Transport Commissioner. There are a total of 15 depots in the zone.
The Regional Transport Offices arranged for 344 drivers and 207 conductors.
