Following unsuccessful negotiations with transport authorities on 8 January 2024, transport union representatives announced that they would proceed with the indefinite strike.
The strike, led by workers associated with prominent unions such as the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), and Anna Thozhir Sanga Peravai (ATSP), among others, is fueled by a range of demands.
In the wake of strike by Tamil Nadu transport workers unions, the DMK government’s decision to appoint temporary bus drivers has sparked chaos and raised concerns about passenger safety.
One such incident unfolded when a temporary bus driver, assigned to operate a government bus from Kallakurichi to Ulundhurpettai, demonstrated a lack of proficiency in handling the vehicle. Witnesses reported that the driver struggled to change gears and navigate turns, resulting in an agonizingly slow and precarious journey.
The situation escalated when the overwhelmed temporary driver abruptly stopped the bus midway, declaring, “If it were a Tata vehicle, I would have operated it much better. Operating a government bus is tough, so leave me alone,” before hastily abandoning the bus.
Similar mishaps occurred in Aaralvaaimoli, Kanyakumari, where another temporary bus driver inadvertently damaged a petty shop while attempting a turn.
In Kanyakumari, an accident involving a government bus operated by temporary drivers occurred.
விபத்தில் சிக்கிய தற்காலிக ஓட்டுநர் இயக்கிய அரசு பேருந்துhttps://t.co/WciCN2SQmv |#BusStrike | #TransportStrike | #TNSTC | #Accident | #TemporaryDrivers | #MinisterSivasankar | #BusBreakDown | #TNGovt | #News7Tamil | #News7TamilUpdates pic.twitter.com/BcpD9QCD9S
— News7 Tamil (@news7tamil) January 10, 2024
In Kallakurichi, a different temporary driver struggled to maneuver a bus out of the bus stand, prompting onlookers to jestingly comment, “Apprentice, take the bus.” A skilled driver stepped in, emphasizing, “It’s not a rented cycle for everyone to operate; it’s a government bus,” underlining the need for experienced hands in control.
Chaos also unfolded in Chennai as passengers were unceremoniously forced to disembark midway, citing purported bus repairs.
Here are some more incidents:
நல்லவேளை ஸ்ட்ரைக் முடிவுக்கு வந்தது…இல்லாவிட்டால் இன்னும் இப்படி எத்தனை விபத்துகளை பார்த்திருப்போமோ…
விளாத்திகுளம் பணிமனை பேருந்து தடம் எண் 78A தற்காலிக ஒட்டுநரால் தடம் புரண்ட தருணம். @Savukkumedia @SavukkuOfficial @sivasankar1ss #TransportStrike #Transportworkersstrike pic.twitter.com/4YOeCWknq2— Abdul Muthaleef (@MuthaleefAbdul) January 10, 2024
Meanwhile, the transport union has notified the Madras High Court about the temporary halt of the strike until January 19, when the next round of conciliation discussions with the government is scheduled to happen.
ஆளாளுக்கு ஏறி ஓட்ட இது என்ன ஆம்னி வேனா.. அரசு பேருந்துப்பு.. பார்த்து..! அப்ரசண்டி ஓட்டுனர்கள் அட்ராசிட்டி#Kallakurichi | #TemproraryDrivers | #GovtBus | #Passengers | #BusDrivers | #Public | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/d9xaE56xIW
— Polimer News (@polimernews) January 10, 2024
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