Real test lies ahead, say RTC union leaders

By Our Special CorrespondentHYDERABAD, NOV. 9. JAC leaders of the APSRTC employees unions who spearheaded the 24-day old strike which was called off on Wednesday night, on Friday said the real test for the APSRTC lay ahead.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. B. Rama Rao of the APSRTC Employees Union and Mr. P. Ram Mohan Rao of the APSRTC National Mazdoor Union, said the employees would do their best to improve the performance of the RTC. The 1.25-lakh workforce was thankful to the people of the State, the central trade unions, Opposition parties and the press for their overwhelming support during the strike period.

The aim of the JAC was to take the privatisation issue to people and it succeeded in doing so. The authorities should remember that the occupancy ratio had fallen not because of laxity on the part of the employees but because of illicit operations.

The drive against illicit operations if launched properly should benefit the RTC at least by Rs. 200 crore in the first year itself. This coupled with the reimbursement of concessions up to Rs. 100 crores and lowering of MV Tax could mean a recovery of Rs. 400 crores at least. The wage revision on the NGO pattern was also a major achievement for them, they said.

They said conceding their major demands was proof enough that the Government had realised the genuineness of the workers claims. The strike was a landmark event in the struggles of the working class and proved beyond doubt that a strong public opinion could always change the Government's policies.

They urged the lower-level management of the corporation to honour the Government's commitment and create a healthy working atmosphere. This was with reference to the news of strike continuing in some bus depots due to the refusal of officials to take back suspended or dismissed employees and casual labour.

There was a categorical assurance from the Government that all of them would be taken back, they said.

They urged the Government to give a serious thought to the reasons behind the success of the JAC struggle and become more worker-friendly. They promised full cooperation to the Government in the drive against illegal operations and sought the drive to begin soon.

On the differences that had emerged between the CITU- led Staff and Workers' Federation and the others among the JAC, they termed it unfortunate. There were no secret parleys between the Cabinet Sub-Committee and the other two leaders or any intention to divide the opinion. The Government only expressed reservations on some matters and the JAC had to agree as the aim was not prolong the strike refusing a settlement after major concessions too.

Significantly, the third member of the JAC, Mr. R. Laxmaiah, who differed with them during the talks, was not present at the press conference.

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Section  : Southern States
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