KSRTC unions plan indefinite stir from October 3

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ongoing tussle between trade unions and KSRTC chairman and managing director is reaching its climax with the former declaring an indefinite strike from October 3, alleging anti-labour reforms in transport corporation.

A joint council of trade unions has been protesting in front of KSRTC chief office, East Fort, for more than one week and the indefinite strike was announced at the venue on Thursday. The trade unions demanded the KSRTC management to withdraw the reforms introduced in the transport corporation.

The joint council of trade unions formed by members of Kerala state transport employees association (CITU), Kerala state transport workers' union (INTUC), Kerala state transport employees union (AITUC) and Kerala state transport drivers union (KSTDU) will participate in the strike, which will begin from midnight of October 2.

The joint council of trade unions have alleged that the reforms introduced in KSRTC are anti-labour and a move towards privatization.

"The single duty system is an unscientific decision. The decisions are taken by CMD without the consent from trade union members or employees," a statement released by the joint council.

The trade unions demand to reinstate the temporary staff who were dismissed from service, clear DA arrears, revise salary, withdraw the revisions introduced in schedule, permit the promotion, withdraw the decision to purchase vehicles on wet lease and appoint the candidates on PSC advice.

Meanwhile, BMS trade union members have decided not to support the strike.

"We have registered our protest in the form of dharna in front of secretariat. And we do not want to participate in strike, which will further push the transport corporation towards crisis and eventually lead to privatization," said K L Rajeesh, general secretary, Kerala state transport employees sangh, affiliated to BMS.