This story is from November 15, 2019

RTC unions give up merger demand for now, ready for talks

In a development that could finally resolve the 41-day RTC logjam, protesting employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) on Thursday said they were giving up their merger demand for now and ready to sit with the government for fresh talks.
RTC unions give up merger demand for now, ready for talks
TSRTC employees continue to protest at cantonment depot in Secunderabad on Thursday
HYDERABAD: In a development that could finally resolve the 41-day RTC logjam, protesting employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) on Thursday said they were giving up their merger demand for now and ready to sit with the government for fresh talks.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) in a hurriedly called media conference said they wanted the government to consider clearing all pending dues, ensuring job security and a salary hike.
Protests, however, continued in different parts of the state through the day. The move comes a day after state rejected high court’s proposal to have a three-member panel of ex-Supreme Court judges to look into the row.
“We have decided to temporarily postpone our demand for merger. We hope the government will invite us for talks at least now. If not, we will continue the stir as it is,” said TSRTC JAC convener E Ashwathama Reddy.
“We do not want any more TSRTC employees committing suicide. We have been saying from the very beginning that we are ready to let go of a few demands if the government invites us for talks,” Reddy continued.
The strike by over 48,000 employees has seen five committing suicide and RTC unions have claimed that 29 others have died due to heart attacks. On Thursday too another RTC employee attempted suicide in Mahabubabad, but he was saved and his condition was stable.
The unions also said that if the government failed to respond even now, then they would undertake a ‘Sadak Bandh’ from Hyderabad to Kodad town in Suryapet district on Nov 19 to press for the remaining 25 demands, including taking necessary measures to safeguard RTC. They will also organise bike rallies and a photo exhibition on Nov 16 and protests in front of all bus depots on Nov 17 and 18.

While government has refrained from commenting on the shift in the JAC’s plans, opposition parties have welcomed the decision. Since the strike began, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has refused the demand for merger of the corporation with the state government.
The Congress welcomed the initiative. “Congress feels that CM should have called them for discussion earlier. Now he should do that. During a strike there are many demands, those can be discussed,” said Congress Legislature Party leader Bhatti Vikarmarka.
“BJP has always been saying that when there is an opportunity to sit across the table and resolve issues, any changes in the demands can be made. We encourage the RTC union to talk to the management and state government. The idea is to find a solution,” said Telangana BJP general secretary Krishna Sagar Rao.
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