India
The main demand of the unions is the increase in employee salary. A letter has been given to the government appointing M-Panel employees. Acting on a directive from the Kerala high court, the state transport Corporation (KSRTC) had removed 3,872 temporary bus conductors from service.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Managing Director Tomin J Thachankary requested the KSRTC unions to withdraw from their indefinite strike that is set to start from Wednesday midnight.
The main demand of the unions is the increase in salary for employees. A letter has been given to the government on appointing the M- Panel employees. Acting on a directive from the Kerala high court, the state transport Corporation (KSRTC) had removed 3,872 temporary bus conductors from service.
Also read: Sacked KSRTC employees start long march to Kerala secretariat
Earlier, the court observed that keeping temporary employees would be a challenge for those who have passed the written test to become KSRTC employees. The court said that the temporary employees should be terminated immediately. The court had also ordered Managing Director Tomin J Thachankary to submit an affidavit indicating the termination of temporary employees.
The court had held that the vacant posts should be filled from the rank list of the Public Service Commission (PSC).
“If they don’t withdraw from the strike, further action will be taken after consulting the government,” said Thachankary, after various unions of KSRTC jointly decided to go on an indefinite strike on Wednesday midnight.
The demands voiced are to execute the single duty pattern submitted by the transport secretary, start talks on salary revision and reinstate terminated empanelled employees. The Centre for Consumer Education had filed a plea in the court against the strike.
On December 24, the temporary employees of KSRTC staged a long march to the secretariat, protesting the state government’s decision to terminate their services. 3,872 families were left in an economic struggle due to the sudden termination of employees.
Earlier while responding to the media after the court order, Thachankary had stated that it is difficult to obey the court order related to the termination of M-Panel employees. He even promised to help terminated employees in some way or the other.
Meanwhile, the high court warned that strict action would be taken against him if he fails to terminate M-Panel employees under KSRTC. The court also stated that the court has the power to change the managing director.
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