The anticipated Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu is under the shadow of uncertainty as the indefinite strike declared by Tamil Nadu Transport Corporation (TNSTC) workers has thrown travel plans into disarray for numerous passengers.
Following unsuccessful negotiations with transport authorities on 8 January 2024, union representatives announced on Tuesday 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.
The primary grievances include the implementation of the old pension scheme, the release of pending dearness allowance, the filling up of vacant posts, and the initiation of talks regarding the 15th wage revision. Despite the pressing nature of these demands, the government, in response, conveyed that discussions could only be entertained post-Pongal, leaving the workers dissatisfied.
CITU leader A Soundararajan expressed disappointment, labeling the government’s response as unjust and unsatisfactory. He remarked, “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.”
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