Unions sore as Tangedco CMD refuses weekly meets

Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Trade Union Joint Action Committee has written to Tangedco CMD stating that they had sought time for an introductory meeting after he took charge on June 20 but he refused to meet citing COVID-19.

“It is a long-standing tradition in the Tangedco for the CMD to meet the union leaders once a week to resolve labour issues and disputes that cannot be resolved at the official level,” the letter signed by the leaders of 18 unions, including LPF and CITU.

Pointing to the direction given by his office to hold talks with the joint MD over the issues of labours and engineers, the unions said that the joint MD stated that he did not have the necessary authority and has to consult the CMD. “It is only leading to delay,” they complained and added that the solution to the issues could be found only if the CMD held talks with the union directly.

A union leader said that none of the former CMDs had refused to meet them. “When the officials are refusing to act without the consent of the CMD, there is no point in meeting the directors and joint MD,” he said. But a senior official said the union leaders should not insist on meeting the CMD during coronavirus outbreak.