Madras HC asks striking transport employees in TN to go back to work

Sureshkumar | TNN | Updated: Jan 5, 2018, 16:17 IST

Highlights

The high court asked the striking employees to go back to work or face consequences including termination and contempt of court.

Transport workers announced the strike on Thursday night after talks with the Tamil Nadu government on salary revision failed.

The strike affected commuters across the state on Friday.



Buses which were parked in Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus after transport employees began an indefinite strike ... Read More

CHENNAI: "Go back to work or face consequences including termination and contempt of court," said the Madras high court to the striking workers of transport corporations in Tamil Nadu.
Noting that the transport workers cannot indulge in such flash strike without any prior intimation making the public suffer, the first bench headed by Chief Justice Indira Banerjee passed the interim order on Friday.

The court further said it is the duty of the state government to ensure and protect the rights of its citizens during such circumstances.

The issue pertains to the strike announced by drivers and conductors of various state transport corporations as wage revision talks with transport minister failed on Thursday night.

Claiming that the strike has left scores of commuters stranded at bus stops in various parts of the state since Thursday evening, advocate Vijayendran moved a PIL on behalf of Varaaki seeking to direct the state government to convene a meeting to negotiate with the striking workers and find a solution to the issue.

When the plea came for hearing, advocate general Vijay Narayan submitted that 32 unions had already signed the settlement proposed by the government and only 14 are indulging in strike.