Commuters across the Tamil Nadu were hit hard as the strike by Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation workers entered the second day on Monday. Terming the strike “very successful,” A Soundararajan, CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions) leader, said, “The Government has left us with no choice. They have not called us for discussion yet.”

A majority of government buses remained off the roads. However, a few buses were operated by employees belonging to Anna Trade Union, the trade union of the ruling party, with police security, he said.

Members of 11 trade unions are on an indefinite strike, pressing for their 28-point agenda, including wage revision and various retirement benefits. Major trade unions involved in the strike include the Labour Progressive Front and CITU.

Soundararajan said if the Government does not come forward for discussion, “we will step up the agitation by seeking support from various other trade unions also.”

PTI adds:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam chaired a meeting at the Secretariat that deliberated the situation arising out of the strike and the demands of the employees. Offices of the State Transport Secretary and State Transport Minister V Senthil Balaji, however, declined to say anything on the issue or the State’s response to the strike. Political parties have hit out at the Government on the issue.

Several commuters in bus terminals like Koyambedu, Anna Nagar and Guindy here said they did not get buses to their destinations.

Metropolitan Transport Corporation, which operates buses in Chennai and its periphery alone has a fleet of 3,798 buses and employs 24,052 personnel. State Express Transport Corporation operates long distance buses.

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