Irked by outsourcing, transfers, EB unions warn of strikes

CHENNAI: The Joint Council of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Trade Unions have threatened to resort to strike if the Tangedco management failed to reconsider before October 15 its ‘unilateral decisions’, including outsourcing day-to-day operations and maintenance of three sub-stations.

In a memorandum submitted to Tangedco Chairman and Managing Director Pankaj Kumar Bansal, the joint council said that after he assumed office, no solution could be found to labourers’ issues and there was no change in the approach even after bringing this issue to his notice. “Rather than creating posts for the new substations as per the agreement with unions, the management has resorted to outsourcing. Besides, the management has taken a policy decision on the transfer without consulting the unions. All these have created tension among the employees,” they noted.

Pointing to demonstrations held by the unions and representations give to the Electricity Minister, the joint council said despite its opposition to outsourcing operation and maintenance of sub-stations, the management has decided to give the new 230 kv substation in the headquarters under work contract for two years. It revealed efforts to weaken electricity infrastructure and privatise at faster a pace, they alleged. “Hence, the joint council of the trade unions has decided to bring the issue to your notice and find a solution by October 15. If our demands are not fulfilled by then, we will resort to direct actions, including strike,” they warned.