14th wage revision talk for transport staff commences

However, the trade unions were unhappy over the absence of the Transport Minister during the talks.

K Arumuga Nainar, general secretary of TNSTC Workers Union affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), told DT Next that the 13th wage agreement had expired in August 2019 year and talks were held on Tuesday following the direction of the Labour Commissioner to start negotiations by January 6.

“Normally, the Transport Minister will be present during the wage revision talks. But the talks on Tuesday was chaired by the Transport Department secretary. Talks seems to be held for a formality as all the union representatives were asked to present their demands only,” he said, adding that Labour Commissioner has given a direction to the Transport Department to start wage revision talks by January 6 on the strike notice given by the confederation of all the trade unions.

An official release from the Transport Department said that transport secretary C Samyamoorthy held talks with the union representatives of the eight state transport undertakings in which about 1.25 lakh employees wage and promotion would be discussed.

With the 13th wage agreement lapsed in August 2019, the trade unions have been continuously protesting urging the management to start talks.