THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 24-hour strike called by a section of the KSRTC employees have started. The strike is till midnight. The strike is being led by Transport Democratic Federation (TDF) raising various demands.
The strike by the TDF, an alliance of INTUC unions, is demanding timely payment of salaries and pensions, 31 % dearness allowance (DA) arrears, and abandoning the move to privatize routes. The chief minister and the transport minister had announced that salaries would be paid before the 5th of every month. However, salaries are still being paid in the middle of every month. This is also another reason for the strike. TDF leaders said STU and FFJ organizations have also announced their support for the strike.
Meantime, the management has decided to operate maximum services using non-striking employees. The government has announced dies non to deal with the strike. The management has directed that leave should not be granted except on the basis of a certificate issued by a medical officer not below the rank of civil surgeon. Canteens must function. There is also a warning that the license will be canceled if there is failure.
TDF state president Thampanoor Ravi, working president M Vincent MLA and general secretary V S Sivakumar said the move to sabotage the strike by announcing dies-non will be rejected. They clarified that they will continue with the strike until the problems are resolved.