Contract staff flash strike leaves pilgrims in lurch

Tirupati: The contract health employees went on a flash strike affecting the maintenance of the massive Vishnu Nivasam queue complex near railway station, causing inconvenience to the pilgrims, on Friday.

The workers under the banner of TTD Contract Employees Union resorted to sudden strike, demanding the reinstatement of five workers, who were not allowed by the contractor on the charges of irregularity and laxity in performing duties. 

The vigilance and security staff in Vishnu Nivasam voluntarily took up the health and sanitation including clearing the garbage. With the strike continued till evening, Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (CVSO) Sivakumar Reddy along with superintendent engineer held talks with contract employees’ union leaders and workers and sought them to resume duty immediately keeping in view the pilgrims. 

After an hour-long discussion, the officers assured that the five employees, who were not allowed to do duties, will be taken back into service resulting in the contract workers resuming duty later in the evening. It may be noted that the contractor or his representative was not in the talks with the workers.

TTD Contract Employees Union secretary Subramanayam said that the contractor Bhaskar Naidu is harassing the workers and strongly demanded TTD to replace him to ensure smooth working of the employees in TTD establishments.