Will go for strike if demands not fulfilled: SRTC workers

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Jan 27: The SRTC Workers Union today asked the Government to fulfil their demand before February 10 failing which, they said, they will be forced to go for an indefinite strike to press for their demands.
Chairman of J&K SRTC Workers Union Wajahat Hussain said that the SRTC employees are facing several issues and that they are getting 1-2 months of salary after every 4 months.
“As of now, we without salaries for the last 4 months even as the Government is investing heavily in the corporation, but the employees do not seem to be anybody’s responsibility,” he said.
He said that the employees are facing recurring losses due to which their families are getting affected. “Government spent over 100 cr to get new the buses, but when they can get the new buses, where are our salaries,” he asked
He said that at the end of the day, the SRTC workers have to operate the buses. “But are they expecting us to operate the buses without releasing our salaries and other benefits that we are entitled to,” he said.
Wajahat said that apart from getting the busses after spending crores, “there should have been a comprehensive package for us too; if the Government has heavily invested in the corporation, what about salaries, arrears, regularization,” he said.
The Chairman of the Union said that while the employees continue to suffer; those who have retired are also suffering as they have been given nothing in the name of the post-retirement benefits. “Those who have retired got nothing and those who are working are getting nothing,” he said.
He said that the Union has given 15 days to the Government to fulfil their demands. “If our demands are not fulfilled by or before February 10, we will have no option but to go for a strike,” he said.