Date:15/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/15/stories/2007101569490700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Implement GO: power union

Staff Reporter

KADAPA: United Electricity Employees Union State secretary N. Venkateswarlu on Sunday demanded implementation of G.O. 2501 in power distribution companies, as done in various Government departments.

The G.O. should be made applicable for computer operators, typists, watchmen, drivers and shift operators in electricity wings and paid salaries, he demanded at UEEU’s second district mahasabha at Institution of Engineers hall here. Eight thousand casual junior linemen posts were filled with contractual power workers owing to CITU’s agitations, he said. Unions that lacked adequate membership were accorded recognition, he alleged.

N. Venkateswarlu demanded that the Government reconsider its moves to implement reforms in the power sector and grant recognition to UEEU. Power reforms failed in Orissa and Maharashtra, he said.

Under payment

UEEU State president D. Suribabu and district honorary president N. Ravinsankar Reddy demanded fixing of minimum pay of Rs. 3,620 for shift operators working in electrical sub-stations. Alleging under payment by contractors, they demanded intervention of Superintending Engineer (Operations) M. Durga Prasad to ensure proper payment of wages.

Transco DE (Technical) M. Venkatasubbaiah, CITU district president A. Raghunath Reddy, secretary A. Ramamohan, UEEU district general secretary D.S. Narasimhulu also spoke. Earlier, power workers took out a rally from CITU office to IEI premises.