Transport unions in Tamil Nadu call for indefinite strike demanding revision of wages

Eight major transport unions in Tamil Nadu consisting of nearly 1 lakh workers have called for an indefinite strike demanding revision of wages and clearance of their former dues in the state. The strike comes after several rounds of inconclusive talks with the transport department of the state.

The strike has been called by the Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), and All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).

Nearly 80 percent of the government buses will cease services from today in the state, affecting hundreds of commuters who depend on state-based buses to travel.

The workers have been demanding revision of wages and clearance of provident fund, nearly Rs 550 crore, and dues of retired workers. The ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government has not cleared these dues that have been pending for the last 5 years, according to sources.

Various rounds of talks, centering around these demands, have been fruitless, according to the workers.

Transport unions of opposition parties in the state – Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) have claimed that talks have been going on since 2019 with the transport department, however, when no solution was reached, workers took the decision to go on an indefinite strike.

Transport Minister MR Vijayabhaskar has said disciplinary action would be taken against employees who participate in the strike.