Transport unions commence indefinite strike in TN

MTC buses parked in line as employees are on strike and stage demonstration stating their demands in connection with wage structure at Perambur MTC Bus Depot on Sunday. Photo: V. Ganesan

Thousands of commuters faced hardships because of a transport strike called by various trade unions on Sunday,​ leaving commuters to the mercy of share autos and dependent on ​minimal train services.

​Members of various transport unions (​barring the AIADMK-backed ​Anna Thozhil Sanga Peravai) ​who are part of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation are protesting against the State government for not renewing the three-year wage agreement and other pension​-related​ issues. The transport unions have threatened to go on an indefinite strike​ if the government does not respond immediately​.

A.S. Balasundaram, State Organiser, B.R. Ambedkar Thozilalar Vidhuthalai Munnani (a trade union wing of Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi), blaming the MTC for misusing the funds of Provident Fund and pension fund, complained that several workers who have retired are yet to get pension and provident amount. He also pointed out that the MTC was yet to increase the dear​ness​ allowance for the past year.

R. Ashokan, a commuter from Tambaram bound for T. Nagar, complained that the lack of bus services left them to use the suburban train services, which normally operated at 20 minutes interval.

Being a weekend, the situation did not turn chaotic but the commuters are more worried about Monday when thousands of office-goers would find it difficult and would be left in the hands of the auto rickshaws. The Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) from Velachery to Chennai Beach, which also operated in 20-minute frequency, also was used by a large number of commuters.

A senior official of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation said that they were able to operate 40 per cent of vehicles in the morning session, but members of several trade unions ​in areas such as T. Nagar, Anna Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur and Tambaram, blocked buses from being operated. At the Anna Nagar bus depot​,​ several buses were haphazardly parked and ​the tyres were punctured to prevent the vehicles from being plied.

The scene at the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) the nerve centre for outstation-bound buses,​ remained empty with few buses available.