Tamil Nadu: Transport workers begin indefinite strike ahead of Pongal, DMK sees AIADMK ‘conspiracy’

financialexpress.com:

An indefinite strike announced by the state’s transport workers’ unions began Tuesday ahead of the Pongal festival holidays in Tamil Nadu over their demand to release the payout of Dearness Allowance dues that have been pending for eight years. The workers have alleged that their demands are not being considered by the state administration.

The strike followed unsuccessful discussions with the MK Stalin-led government a day ago, where a coalition of various unions, including the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), presented their list of demands. Workers affiliated with major unions such as the CITU, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), and Anna Thozhir Sanga Peravai (ATSP) are participating in the strike.

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| Kancheepuram: Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) holds an indefinite strike across the state demanding the signing of the 15th wage revision agreement to increase the pay, filling vacancies in bus driver and conductor posts and releasing Dearnance Allowances… pic.twitter.com/gZecKaaPKD

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Workers are calling for the release of pending dearness allowance for pensioners, amounting to Rs 6000 per month, which has remained unpaid for the past eight years. Additionally, they demand the signing of the 15th wage revision agreement to increase salaries and the filling of open positions for bus drivers and conductors.

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| Nagapattinam: Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) holds an indefinite strike across the state.