Private buses in Kerala planning to go on sector-wise indefinite strike

Kochi: Over 300 private buses mainly operating through the city, stayed off the roads on Tuesday as part of the one-day token strike by employees’ organizations, catching hundreds of daily commuters by surprise.

However, the KSRTC conducted additional services while the long-distance private buses coming from Piravom, Guruvayoor, Kothamangalam and other places operated from the morning itself. The buses also conducted services in West Kochi and Eda Kochi region. Also by evening, a few buses began to ply on the Aluva-Kakkanad route which led to minor altercations.

“The employers too did not insist on conducting the services in the city. They are still not ready to give us our dues. We’re now planning to go on a sector-wise indefinite strike. For instance, in the Kakkanad-Aluva sector so that the common people would not be affected. A final decision in this regard will be taken at a meet scheduled at the CITU office in Kaloor at 11 am on July18,” said K K Kaleshan, Secretary, Private Bus workers Coordination Committee.

The bus owners, meanwhile, sought the intervention of the district collector in the matter. “Buses in the city did not operate today as the employees failed to turn up for work. We’re ready to give Rs 300 as a hike for every bus but only on the previous wage rate fixed by the authorities and not on the current wages. Though the talks initiated by the ADM have failed, we want the collector to intervene in the issue,” said Suneer K B, Secretary, Private Bus Owners Federation.

Earlier, many people who alighted at destinations like Vytilla were caught unawares by the token strike. “I’m working in a firm in Menaka Jn. I reached the Vytilla hub only to learn about the strike. I had to dole out Rs 80 for an autorickshaw instead of Rs 9,” said Suneera R, a native of Piravom.

The strike saw more private vehicles on the roads leading to traffic jam at places like Kadavanthra- Kathrikadavu, Kaloor-Elamakkara, South RoB.