The Hindu : Ruling, Opposition trade unions staying away from strike

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 21, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Ruling, Opposition trade unions staying away from strike

By Our Tamil Nadu Bureau

CHENNAI May 20. With both the ruling and main Opposition trade unions staying away from the May 21 general strike called by Left unions, normal life in the State is unlikely to be affected in a big way. No preventive arrests have been made.

The police are fully geared to meet the strike, said a senior State police officer. Buses will be run with police escort wherever necessary. "We do not expect any major problem anywhere". There may be picketing programmes at a few places, particularly by agriculturists, he said.

The strike is unlikely to have any significant impact on public transport services, as only workers affiliated to the CITU and the AITUC unions have decided to take part. State Government offices, including the Secretariat, are expected to function normally, as most of unions belonging to the JACTTO-GEO, umbrella federation for government employees and teachers, have decided to keep off the strike. Only the Left-affiliated trade unions, the Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association and the Tamil Nadu Government Employees Union will participate.

The Transport Minister, R.Viswanathan, said bus services would not be affected "in any manner" and that the public would not suffer. Most of the workers of the State transport undertakings had given an assurance that they would operate services, and even spare buses would ply to ensure "more than normal" services tomorrow.

"There is no indication of a strike and the public need have no apprehension of disruption in services", he said. In case of mass absenteeism in any depot, stringent action would be taken, he warned.

Meanwhile, a senior official said the Government also instructed heads of departments to take suitable disciplinary action against the employees who took part in the strike.

Though the Essential Services Maintenance Act would not be invoked against workers who joined the 12-hour strike, the Government would resort to pay cuts and departmental proceedings.

While bus services are likely to be affected in pockets where the Left unions are strong, the Southern Railway said trains would be operated as usual.

But banking and insurance operations will be severely impacted on Wednesday, as most of the unions have decided to participate in the nation-wide stir, organised to condemn the policies of the Union Government. However, the South Zone LIC SC/ST Employees' Welfare Association has decided to stay away from the stir.

While some Central Government employee organisations in the State said they would take part, others have decided to stay away.

Public sector units such as the BHEL could be affected with the All-India BHEL Employees Union announcing that its members in all branches of the BHEL— Tiruchi, Ranipet and Chennai— would participate in the strike.

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