AP & T'gana govts hold talks with agitating RTC employees

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments today held talks with the employees of state-run Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), who have been on strike for the last five days seeking hike in salaries.
Andhra Pradesh Labour Minister K Atchannaidu, a member of the Cabinet sub-committee constituted to hold talks with the employees, told reporters that they requested the union leaders to resolve the issue amicably in the interest of the Corporation.
On the employees' demand for 43 per cent hike in salaries, he said an offer of 27 per cent hike has already been made.
The RTC management had expressed its inability to concede 43 per cent hike in view of the Corporation's "poor financial condition".

The minister said there are many issues that needed to addressed to improve the Corporation's financial health and that a 43 per cent hike is not the only one.
Employees union leader Padmakar said they have given a report, including suggestions like taking up transportation of goods and setting up a tyre manufacturing unit, for improving the organisation's financial condition.

Meanwhile, Telangana ministers have also held talks with the employees' leaders to resolve the issue. Telangana Labour Minister N Narasimha Reddy said an amicable solution would be to the issue.
The agitating employees held protests like sit-ins and cleanliness drive on the bus station premises.

The APSRTC is yet to be divided between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana following state bifurcation last year, though the process of splitting the Corporation between the two states is underway.
The Corporation is the major public transport in both the states, operating more than 20,000 buses. Its buses cover about 79.83 lakh kms and carry about 156.78 lakh people to their destinations every day.