APSRTC unions gear up for strike from Feb 6

Tirupati: Gearing up for the proposed indefinite strike from February 6, members of various RTC unions formed a joint action committee and organised huge demonstrations in front of all regional manager offices in the state on Wednesday. The unions are prepared to go ahead with the strike according to the notice given if the government does not cede their demands. 

The employees have been demanding protection of the corporation by the government taking over it and better wage revision. They argue that despite the reduction in number of employees from 64,000 at the time of last pay revision to 54,000 now due to the hard work and dedication of employees the occupancy ratio (OR) had increased from 63 per cent to 86 per cent.

The unions also point out the management did not keep its word on acquiring 3,000 new buses. Though there has been a steep rise in diesel prices, the  RTC fares have not been hiked since 2015 which was the main reason for loses, according to the unions.

They complaint that despite this, the government has never tried to help the corporation by way of tax cut on diesel and tax exemption to Palle Velugu buses. It also failed to clear Rs 3,600 crore dues to the RTC while being generous in waiving of life tax for auto-rickshaws and tractors, the said. They want the government to make provision in the budget to meet the revenue gap in RTC. 

The employees unions say the management is not willing to fulfil their just demand for 50 per cent fitment though the losses have come down by Rs 600 crore due to the better performance of staff.  Their other demands include tax holiday for RTC, withdrawal of policy of retrenchment of employees, pension facility among others.

The joint action committee consists of Employees Union, Staff and Workers Federation, Karmika Parishat, YSR RTC Mazdoor Union, Officers Union and others. 

The leaders of these unions T Satyanarayana, A Prabhakar Yadav, D Jagannatham, C Bhaskar, G Ravi, Eswar Reddy, Dr Krishna, ABS Manyam, TN Babu, PC Babu and Chinnam Penchalaiah of AITUC along with other leaders took part in the demonstration and addressed the employees in Tirupati. They made a strong commitment that unless their demands are met, they will not go back with their strike decision.