Mumbai: Don’t stop staffers willing to work, HC tells MSRTC union

MUMBAI: Public should not be put to suffering, said the Bombay high court on Monday even as it told the striking union of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) not to obstruct drivers and conductors who are willing to work.
“If somebody is going (to work), let him go,” said bench of Justices Prasanna Varale and Shriram Modak. They heard MSRTC’s contempt plea even as the union was not willing to end the strike.
The union’s advocate Gunaratan Sadavarte refused to participate in the HC-appointed committee’s second meeting on Tuesday, saying it has no faith in it. He said 36 employees had died by suicide and two attempted immolation. “Nobody should end their life in such a way. Inform your (union) leader that every life is precious,” said Justice Varale. The judges said when a worker, who is the only earning member, dies by suicide, it is a loss of the entire family. “It is our appeal, an earnest request, that nobody should take such an extreme step,” said Justice Varale.
Sadavarte thereafter agreed to submit the union’s memorandum and suggestions to the committee. The judges directed the state to place minutes before the court on November 22, adding “that minutes may also indicate the progress or otherwise.
Senior advocate S U Kamdar for MSRTCsaid people in rural areas were facing hardships in the absence of other convenient and economic transport. He said some employees are cooperating and the union must not stop them. Sadavarte claimed 92,000 staff are supporting the union, “When they are not going to drive vehicles, where is the question of disturbing?” he asked. The judges said since the union believes in “peaceful agitation”, they expect it will “show the same spirit to their fellow colleagues”.