Government-RTC staff faceoff : Confrontation imminent

Hyderabad: Even as the TSRTC JAC called off their strike on Monday and the government rejecting their plea to join duties until the issue is resolved by the Labour Court, the situation appears to be heading towards confrontation mode.

After striking work for 52 days, the TSRTC JAC on Monday called off their strike and declared that they would join duty from Tuesday.

The JAC leaders have asked the workers to be at their depots at 6 am on Tuesday and join duty.

They have also urged temporary workers not to attend duties from now onwards. The union leaders said, "There is no other option left for us other than joining duties.

If they stop us, we will not allow the buses to come out of depots," said a union leader, who wished not to be named. The High Court has referred the case to the Labour Court and the workers feel that as per the rule they can join duties.

Another leader said that they had taken legal opinion and if the government denies them entry into the depots, they will have the option of filing another case in the court.

"The political party leaders have also suggested us not to prolong the strike. The government should also take the workers back without standing on prestige," said the union leader.

This is the second time when the JAC leaders have declared that they will join duties without any decision by the government. Earlier, on November 20, the workers had demanded the government to create atmosphere prior to the strike so that the workers can resume duties.

However, there was no response from the government for the last five days. After continuing the strike for some days, the workers again on Monday declared that they are calling off the strike and also declared to join duties.

JAC convener E Ashwathama Reddy said the JAC has successfully taken up the strike for 52 days. "There was no response either from the management or from the government on the demands of the workers.

Workers should not lose hopes and join duties from Tuesday. We will continue our fight against privatisation," he told the media on Monday.

JAC co-convener K Raji Reddy referred the High Court's observation quoting the Supreme Court that when a worker goes on strike, he merely voices his concern that his working condition should be improved.

It is not the expression of an intention to abandon the work in which he is engaged. Therefore, neither the corporation nor the state government would be justified in concluding that merely by going on strike, the worker has abandoned duties.