Union calls off strike after KSRTC hardens stance

This Karkidakam, board KSRTC's special budget bus services for ‘Nalambala Darshan’
Representative image: Manorama

Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress-affiliated union Transport Democratic Federation (TDF) on Friday announced that it was not going ahead with the indefinite strike against Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on October 1.

Instead, it has urged the state public transport carrier to have a second look at the single-duty system that comes into effect on Saturday.

The development comes in wake of the public transport carrier's recent efforts to prevent unions from stifling their operations by calling on its members to boycott their duties.

On Friday, KSRTC prepared a list of temporary workers whom it can call as drivers and conductors on days their staff goes on strike. Those in the recently expired Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) rank list and anyone who expressed their interest had a place on this list. Each person was promised Rs 715 per 12-hour shift on a daily wage basis.

With holidays on the horizon, bus services are likely to be in big demand as people try to get to their homes and back.

KSRTC had hoped that this new system will ensure uninterrupted transport service across the state even during the strike. But it seems it won't be necessary after all.

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