RTC union ups the ante

Hyderabad: Political and ego issues seem to be fuelling the TSRTC staff strike, which will begin on June 11.

TMU, the employees union which is leading the strike, had worked with the TRS during the statehood agitation and went on strike for 40 days, which played a crucial role in bringing pressure on the Centre to give statehood. 

TMU leaders are making public statements that if not for them, there would have been no Telangana state and TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao would have never become Chief Minister. They are criticising minister T. Harish Rao, honorary president of TMU, for remaining silent.

These developments said to be hurting the ego of TRS top leaders who are talking tough on the strike. The TMU leaders and employees are holding dharnas in front of all the RTC bus depots demanding a pay hike. It is in these meetings that the TMU leaders are making statements such as “KCR, Harish, KTR and others are CM and ministers because of TMU”.

They are questioning Mr Rao whether they would have gone on strike had the undivided AP government threatened them with dismissal and shutting down of the corporation. “Would statehood have been achieved,” a TMU leader asked.

TRS sources said these comments hurt the ego and sentiments of Mr Rao and ministers, due to which the Chief Minister has decided to take a tough stand to crack down on the strike even by suspending employees, if they don’t fall in line.

Besides, Mr Rao is also upset that the TMU, which worked with the TRS for several years before the formation of the state, is now moving closer to the Congress.

Sources said the CM had earlier thought of inviting RTC staff for talks in Pragathi Bhavan to resolve their issues  but dropped the idea after hearing of the sharp remarks by TMU leaders.