CHENNAI: Hundreds of Greater Chennai Corporation’s temporary and permanent workers struck work on Thursday demanding implementation of a 12-point charter of demands, affecting conservancy operations across the city. As of 9 pm, the striking workers were holding firm on Ripon Buildings premises with Red Flag Union representatives confirming to Deccan Chronicle that a single round of talks with corporation senior officials had failed.
The key demand of striking workers was to regularise the services of Swarna Jayanti daily wagers and giving them a salary of Rs 15,000 per month. “Those doing conservancy work for Ramky operated zones should also be given a monthly salary,” said P. Srinivasulu, general secretary of Red Flag Union.
While workers demanded an audience with the commissioner during the day, the meeting did not take place as they were informed that the latter was busy with meetings. Subsequently, the workers’ union met deputy commissioner (health) R. Kannan. However, there was no conclusion as the official is said to have asked for “some time” to implement the demands.
“We wanted him to give us a time frame, like 10 days or a month. But he did not give us that period. So, we are continuing to protest. We hope that the commissioner will give us an audience by the end of the night,” said Srinivasulu. The union has resolved to carry its protest through the night if no solution is found by Thursday.
