Roadways buses off roads, workers want pay commission implemented
JAIPUR:More Govt is adamant and did not concede to our demands due to which we were forced to go on a 48hour strike.
ML YADAV, AITUC state president
than 4,500 roadways buses went off the roads on Wednesday owing to a two-day strike called by Rajasthan Roadways employees union causing traffic snarls as passengers headed to Sindhi camp had no other option but to opt for trains or private buses.
The joint front of employees unions, including AITUC, CITU, INTUC, RSRTC Retired Employees Association, BJMM and Rajasthan Roadways Retired Employee Welfare Samiti had talks with the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) management thrice over their 13-point demand, that failed every time.
AITUC state president ML Yadav said, “4,700 buses ply 17 lakh kilometers daily, ferrying more than 10 lakh passengers within and outside the state and earns ~5.32 crore to the government. But the government has been adamant and did not concede to our demands due to which we were forced to go on a 48-hour strike from July 25 to midnight of July 26.”
The major demands include implementation of seventh pay commission from January 2016, filling all vacant posts, stop illegal plying of private buses, purchase at least 1,000 new buses, limit buses taken on contract to maximum 20% depot wise and strictly follow the contract conditions, minimum salary of drivers hired through agency be ~18,000 per month among others.
Meanwhile, the RSRTC chairman issued an order on Wednesday to hike the dearness allowance from 136% to 142%.
Reacting to hike in DA, Yadav said, “This will not have any effect on us as our major demand is to implement seventh pay commission and others. So our strike will continue.”
Generally during the strike, bus drivers, conductors, booking clerks and mechanics take part, but this time, even the administrative staff at the head office went on strike in support of the employees’ demand.