‘No work, no pay’, but 80k ST staff defy ultimatum

‘No work, no pay’, but 80k ST staff defy ultimatum

Somit Sen & Bhavika Jain TNN

Mumbai: 27.11.2021

More than 80,000 Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) workers refused to heed the two-day ultimatum given by government to resume duties by Friday. While this crippled the road lifeline of the state, the government has warned of withdrawing its decision on ‘huge salary hikes’ if the strike continued indefinitely.

The MSRTC management warned that if drivers, conductors and other staff do not return to depots by the weekend, they may lose their one month’s (November) salary.

As many as 11,589 workers have heeded the call of transport minister and MSRTC chairman Anil Parab and joined duties, so the bus corporation could restart operations at 37 depots across the state. The remaining 213 depots continue to be shut, inconveniencing lakhs of commuters.

On Friday night, more employees were suspended, taking the total to 3,215, while 1,226 daily wage workers were dismissed.

Close to 81,000 workers are still protesting and are unwilling to accept the huge salary hikes (upto 41% hike on basic) announced by Parab this week. They are firm on their demand of MSRTC being merged with the state government.

“A Supreme Court order says ‘No work, no pay’. Employees should return to work and not force the government to take coercive steps against them,” Parab said.

He met union representatives on Friday and made it clear to them that while their demands will be considered, indiscipline by workers will not be tolerated.

“We have been told that after the pay hike some anomaly in the grade system has been created, All these issues will be sorted out, but first employees should return to work,” said Parab. The unions have demanded the Seventh Pay Commission for employees and the agreement with state government should be for 10 years, instead of four years.

He said nearly 500 daily wage workers have been terminated on Friday for not showing up. “Despite taking the financial burden of the salary hike, if the employees will continue with the strike, why should the government take the burden-,”said Parab.

Several students were inconvenienced due to unavailability of buses when many schools are reopening across the state.

“Even if there is threat of suspension or dismissal, we will not join duties till we are declared as state government employees,” said a driver from Mumbai. He refused to comment on hardships of commuters.