Labour department, transport unions talks fail

Meanwhile, transport higher-ups have warned of action against those on strike.

Update: 2018-10-22 22:35 GMT
Labour department officials and transport union leaders interact during the talks held in Chennai, on Monday.(Photo: DC)

Chennai: Hectic parleys were going on between labour department officials and transport union leaders here on Monday, with the latter firmly standing their ground and demanding a score of issues including disbursal of arrears and balancing revenue and expenditure in the corporations be settled.

However, both parties failed to reach a consensus, leaving the union leaders red-faced. However, the labour department has called the union leaders for another round of talks on October 29.

The meeting was chaired by deputy labour commissioner, Balasubramaniyan.Sources said that the transport unions including CITU and Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), issued a strike notice to the transport department on October 8, demanding settlement of various issues like disbursal of '5 crore that was deducted from employees' salaries, and running the transport corporations with profit. Following this, labour department officials invited union leaders for talks on Monday.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, CITU leader and president of Tamil Nadu transport employees federation A. Soundararajan, said, "Even as we explained our stance clearly, the labour department failed to pay attention to our pending issues. We did not place any new demand. All our issues are pending ones."

When asked about the possibility of strike, Soundararajan shot back saying that the option would be considered only after a unanimous decision. "We are called for another round of talks and we would again press for our demands. If there is no rapprochement, we will decide about the strike," he added.

Meanwhile, transport higher-ups have warned of action against those on strike. When contacted by Deccan Chronicle, Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) PWC Davidar, said, "Unlike previous years, the transport department has gradually been fulfilling assurances given by it. Since there is a second round of talks, we will wait and see, then decide the course of action."

Over 13 major unions participated in the meeting.

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