HYDERABAD: Workers at the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) launched a strike from midnight, following failed negotiations between management and unions over their 32 demands.Despite deliberations spanning over four hours, both sides were unable to reach a consensus, leading to the strike action by workers. Over 38,000 workers are taking part in the strike.Over 6,000 buses are expected to be taken off the roads, potentially disrupting the travel plans of over five lakh passengers. While the strike is set to have a significant impact on public transport across Telangana, there will also be a huge increase in demand for metro trains and MMTS services.Discussions were held on Tuesday between union representatives and a government-appointed committee. This committee included the special chief secretary (roads & buildings), special chief secretary (labour), principal secretary (finance), and the managing director of TGSRTC.The workers’ key demands include merging RTC with the state govt, conducting labor union elections and implementing salary structures and benefits on a par with those of government employees. They have also demanded long-overdue wage revisions and the settlement of outstanding payments, including contributions to the provident fund and payments related to the credit cooperative society.RTC MD Y Nagireddy said that a special committee comprising IAS officers has already been constituted to examine the workers’ demands in detail. “Some of the demands involve financial and complex matters, and the government will require at least four weeks to review them and provide solutions,” said Nagireddy, assuring the workers that the issues would be resolved in a phased and systematic manner.He also expressed concern that certain unions are allegedly misleading workers by disregarding the facts and calling for a strike.
