TN govt cites case in SC, blames DMK for strike

Commuters were left stranded for the second day as a large number of state-run buses did not ply across Tamil Nadu due to a strike by public transport corporations employees today to press for their demands, including wage revision, even as the state government blamed DMK's labour arm for the stir.
The government also said interim payout has already been announced for employees.
State government transport corporation employees affiliated to 11 trade unions including DMK's labour wing Labour Progressive Front are on strike since yesterday.
However, drivers and conductors affiliated to ruling AIADMK's Anna Thozhir Snagam worked.
About 200 employees were detained across the state in connection with strike-related incidents including alleged stone pelting on buses, police said.

Trade bodies urged government to start talks to conclude a wage settlement agreement but the latter wondered how it could go in for talks when a case was pending in the Supreme Court.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said, "some LPF employees misled by the DMK have not reported for work but have also indulged in violence."
Legal action has been initiated against them, he said. A case is pending in the Supreme Court on the question of a trade union with which talks could be held for concluding a wage settlement agreement, he said in a statement.
"Considering the employees welfare, I announced in the Assembly on December 8 that an interim payout of Rs 1000 per month will be given to them."

After the apex court judgment, an appropriate agreement will be inked, he recalled his previous assurance.
"Karunanidhi should ponder if it is correct to instigate employees to go in for strike," he said, adding, the DMK's LPF was in a minority.
"As on November 30, 2014, LPF has only 13.96 per cent (18,000) of employees on its rolls. Anna Thozhir Sanga Peravai (affiliated to ruling AIADMK) has 70.90 per cent of members (91,440) with it," he pointed out.
A way to hold (wage agreement) talks will be paved if LPF submits in Supreme Court that the Peravai is the largest transport employees trade union and the submission will lead to finalisation of the case in court,he said.

"If Karunanidhi is really interested in the welfare of employees, he should come forward to file a submission on the largest trade union in the supreme court," he said.
He said about 70 per cent of buses were operated today and hoped that cent per cent buses will run tomorrow.