MTCWU to continue pen-down strike

FROM A REPORTER

SHILLONG, Jan 4: Frustrated at the silent attitude of the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) magement to invite the Meghalaya Transport Corporation Workers’ Union (MTCWU) to discuss on issues pertaining to their salary and gratuity benefits the Union members has decided to continue their pen-down strike in front of the MTC office at Khyndailad (Police Bazar).

It may be reminded that the employees of MTC on December 21 last year kick started their pen-down strike protesting over the non-release of their salary which is currently pending for the past five months.

However, after negotiations with the state government, the employees received a much needed relief as they were able to avail 2 months’ salary as on December 28, last year.

Speaking to reporters at the protest site outside the MTC office building, on Wednesday MTCWU general secretary K Rumnong said, “We have received 2 months’ salary however till today there has not been any sign to indicate that the remaining 3 months’ salary which is still pending will be released. If there is no call for talks by the magement to discuss on this issue then we will continue our indefinite strike.” Earlier the state government had released Rs. 90 lakhs but as it turned out it was far too less of an amount to meet the demands of the MTC employees to release the full 5 month salary. In this connection, he said, “We had approached the government to release two months’ salary and the government had complied however we have yet to make any inroads on the remaining 3 months’ salary of our services.”