Thiruvananthapuram: Trade Unions representing KSRTC employees called off their declared indefinite strike after Kerala High Court on Wednesday barred them from striking.
A Division Bench of HC passed the order responding to a PIL that sought to declare the strike illegal.
The court also directed the trade unions to participate in the conciliatory meeting called by the Labour Commissioner in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.
The proposed strike, the court observed, would have severe economic impact on the state. Also dubbing the strike undesirable at this time, the court said the weapon of strike should be used as a last resort.
The court criticized KSRTC CMD Tomin J Thachankary for not referring the trade unions’ strike notice to Labour Commissioner. It was obligatory on the part of CMD to have the notice referred to labour commissioner for initiating conciliation meeting, the court noted.
The court asked the CMD to file an affidavit detailing the steps he had taken in response to the strike notice.
Meanwhile, emerging from the conciliatory talks with Transport Minister AK Saseejdran, Union leaders said they have been assured of prompt action on their demands.