The Madras High Court on Monday refused to vacate an interim injunction granted by it on Friday restraining the State Transport Corporation employees from continuing their strike.
Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose held that they were not inclined to vacate the order as school students, daily wagers and poor people were affected by the strike.
The Chief Justice made it clear that it was not judges, ministers or top officials who feel the pinch due to such strike by transport corporation workers, including bus drivers and conductors.
The judges, however, made it clear that the government must take earnest steps to address the genuine grievances of the employees and pay forthwith to them the statutory dues.
It was further ordered that no striking employee should be terminated from service without the leave of the court.
Finally, the judges transferred a batch of public interest litigation petitions filed against the strike to another Division Bench led by Justice S. Manikumar who was already in charge of the issue of dues to employees who are serving as well as retired.
