Tamil Nadu transport unions to go on indefinite strike from Tuesday, Minister Sivasankar calls move ‘politically motivated’

Workers affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), and Anna Thozhir Sanga Peravai (ATSP), among others, announced that they will start the indefinite strike from Tuesday over a host of demands – such as the implementation of the old pension scheme, releasing pending dearness allowance, filling up vacant posts, and initiating talks regarding the 15th wage revision.

CITU leader A Soundararajan said the government informed them that the demands cannot be considered now and any talks would be initiated only post-Pongal.

“This is an unjust and unsatisfactory reply. This is not the reply someone would expect from the government. With great regret, we would like to point out that the government is seeing the transport workers as second-class citizens,” he added.

Reacting to the strike call, Tamil Nadu Transport Minister S S Sivasankar on Monday noted that they were still holding the talks and if the unions decide to go ahead with the strike, the government will take measures to ensure that the strike does not affect the public.

“In our earlier round of talks, we had informed them (unions) that we will fulfill the possible demands,” he said.

Commenting on AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami’s statement condemning the DMK government for not fulfilling the demands of the unions, the transport minister said the AIADMK did not fulfill any of the demands when it was in power.

“We are not saying we won’t fulfill the demands, we told them that after attaining financial stability, we will take measures… Despite that, the unions announced the strike. It is politically motivated. We will see whoever takes part in that, and take appropriate measures…” he added.

The minister also informed the media that over 19,000 special buses will ply from Chennai and other districts ahead of the Pongal festival. He noted that all State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) buses heading to Bengaluru as well as districts like Nagapattinam, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, and Velankanni will go via ECR from Koyambedu bus terminus.

SETC buses plying to the southern districts via NH-45 will commence their journey from the newly inaugurated Kalaignar Centenary Bus terminus in Kilambakkam.