PANAJI: The KTC Drivers & Allied Association (AITUC) has decided to issue a 21-day Strike Notice to the Management of Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL), to be effective from March 19 . The decision to strike work was taken unanimously on Thursday by a massive rally in Panjim city held by the KTCL employees to highlight their long-pending unresolved issues.
The KTCL workers’ demands are as follows: Immediate payment of 34 months arrears to all KTCL employees, including the 600 plus retired employees for the period from 01/01/2019 to 03/10/2018.
Restoration of 12% contribution to PF by KTCL Management with effect from December 2009.
Urgent procurement of 300 new diesel buses, as 200 KTCL buses have been scrapped/condemned during the last two years.
Regularization of all Temporary (Drivers & Conductors) who have completed more than 3 years of service.
Grant of temporary status with the same and similar pay scales to the drivers and conductors who have completed five (5) years in the absence of permanent vacancies.
Promotions to be accorded to senior conductors to the post of Traffic Controllers (TCs) and to maintain at all times a strength of 120 TCs. Appoint Six (6) vehicle examiners in KTCL. Stop the ‘Majhi Bus scheme’.
Stop outsourcing of ‘operations & maintenance’ of Electric Buses (EVs)—ensure that every single employee deployed on Electric Buses (drivers, conductors, maintenance crew) is employed on the permanent rolls of KTCL.
Resolve pending issue of anomalies in pay-fixation of twelve (12) conductors in KTCL, unresolved since July 2019.
Promotions to be accorded to helper-mechanics in all KTCL depots who have completed more than 10 years of service.
Fill up all vacancies of technical staff (welders, tin-smiths, mechanics, electricians, and others) arising out of attritions/retirement in the Maintenance Departments of KTCL.
The rally was addressed by Comrades Chandrakant Chodankar (President), Atmaram Gawas, Nascimento Lobo, Ulhas Naik Dessai, Ravi Naik, Gauresh Naik, Rajaram Raul, Suchita Dhakankar, Ramchandra Shetye, Manish Tandel, Sanjay Amonkar, Ms. Vandana Gaonkar, Ashish Gaonkar, Bablo Shetkar, Vrindan Sawal, Nitesh Kazari, Prasanna, Utagi, and Christopher Fonseca.