Expressing their solidarity with the APNGOs and RTC workers, who have been on an indefinite strike since August 12 opposing bifurcation of the state, trade unions of various Public Sector Units (PSUs) and other industries have decided to stage a series of protests in Visakhapatnam. To begin with, they will organise a ‘Maha Garjana’ at Old Gajuwaka Centre on October 4.
Setting aside their political differences, trade unions in the region, including INTUC, CITU, AITUC and HMS along with several other associations, have decided to chalk out a series of programmes.
The TU leaders will bring all the employees and workers of various Central government establishments like BSNL, LIC, Defence and banks into the agitation demanding that the government not divide the state of Andhra Pradesh.
“The programmes will soon take shape,” INTUC national secretary and Steel INTUC general secretary Mantri Rajasekhar told Express. All industrial workers in both private and public sectors would participate in the Maha Garjana programme, he added.
Meanwhile, a huge debate is going on whether to involve the railway unions in the Samaikyandhra agitation. The people of Seemandhra in the railway unions are discussing the matter with their leadership.
“Railway unions normally do not launch agitations on regional issues. However, as the natives of Seemandhra we have to show our solidarity with the people agitating for Samaikyandhra. There are plans to participate in the agitation for at least a couple of days but no decision has been taken over the issue as yet,” a senior railway union leader said.
The trade unions and APNGO leaders are also holding discussions with the railway unions on the issue. If the trains are stopped for a couple of days it would certainly attract the nation’s attention, the leader added.