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An indefinite strike by transport workers unions entered third day today leaving thousands of passengers stranded across state. Workers are demanding wage increase.
The strike started on Thursday night after a meeting between union representatives and State transport minister MR Vijaybhaskar remained inconclusive. Meanwhile, Vijaybhaskar today appealed to striking workers to return to work.
In Chennai, there was a skeletal service of buses operated by drivers belonging to AIADMK union. However, in most parts of the State, the government run buses were off the road.
Over one lakh employees from various government transport undertakings—including Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Metropolitan Transport Corporation and State Express Transport Corporation—participated in the strike, demanding a 2.57 times increase in wages. The State government offered a 2.41–2.44 times rise, which was rejected by union representatives.
In a statement to media on Friday, Vijaybhaskar said 13th wage revision for transport employees was held on January 4. There have been 23 rounds of discussions so far. Despite financial constraints of transport corporations a wage revision providing for 2.44 times increase in basic pay and once in three years revision was signed on Thursday.
“Entry level wages have been hiked, arrears of over 15 years for pensioners and accident compensation have also been paid. But workers have gone on strike causing inconvenience to the public,” he said.
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