Tangedco CMD lends no ear, TUs to protest

According to an announcement from Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Trade Union Joint Action Committee, Tangedco employees would hold a protest in front of the office of superintendent engineer at Valluvar Kottam on September 16.

The Joint Action Committee has already written to Tangedco CMD noting how he had refused to accede to their request for an introductory meeting immediately after he took charge on June 20. He turned it down citing COVID-19.

The letter pointed out that there is a long tradition in the Tangedco for the CMD to meet union leaders once a week to resolve labour issues and disputes that could not be resolved at the official level. Apart from requesting a meeting with the CMD, the protest will put forth demands including Rs 25 lakh solatium to the families of employees who died due to the pandemic.

Pointing to the direction given by his office to hold talks with the joint managing director over the issues faced by labourers and engineers, the unions said the joint managing director, however, stated that he did not have the power to decide.

“None of the former CMDs have refused to meet TU leaders. When the officials are refusing to act without the consent of the CMD, there is no point in meeting the directors and joint managing directors,” a TU leader said.