ASTC workers staging indefinite strike in protest against dismissal of 771 contractual workers

GUWAHATI: The State Transport Workers’ Association resorted to a statewide indefinite strike on June 1 in protest against the dismissal of 771 contractual workers of the ASTC and in support of their demand for the reinstatement of the relieved employees. Today was the first day of their agitation.

The contractual workers announced a five-hour hunger strike on June 2 at the headquarters of Paltanbazar.

Dwijen Lahkar, the union’s general secretary, said the employees recruited in accordance with the departmental policies and mechanics that passed from the corporation’s own ITIs in Guwahati and Jorhat were recruited as per the prospectus and dismissed after 10–12 years of service, which can never be accepted. The union expressed deep regret and urged the government to reconsider the recruitment. Further, he said, the State Transport Workers Union has exempted the general public from the strike. The union office bearers and members protested peacefully in front of most of the offices with placards in their hands.

Also, a fire was caused by an electrical fault in the private sector run by the corporation in Tinsukia, which led to a rumour. The general secretary urged the people not to fall prey to rumours that lead to misinformation. He also urged the employees to make the strike peaceful and successful.

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