RTC unions amp up campaign ahead of Oct 9 elections

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) unions has been holding election public meetings at various depots across the city and called upon RTC workers to support them for the union elections, which are slated for October 9.

As many as 12 unions entered the fray with three different alliances after a gap of 10 years. Around 39,000 RTC employees are eligible to vote through a secret ballot. In these elections, the employees will cast two votes, one for the state-level union and another for the regional-level union.

The employees union has formed JAC with an alliance of (TGSRTC) Employees Union, Transport Mazdoor Union (TMU) and National Mazdoor Union (NMU). Another alliance is Congress (Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) backed Telangana Workers Union (TWU), and Staff and Workers Union (SWU) and third alliance is Telangana Joint Mazdoor Union (TJMU) and the Bahujan Workers Union. The Telangana Workers Union (TWU) president Mogulla Rajireddy asked the employees to vote for the ‘Arrow’ symbol. Speaking at the public meeting, Kattula Yadaiah, general secretary, said the union had decided to support the leadership of Mogulla Rajireddy, president of the Telangana Workers Union, which, according to the union, has the backing of the Congress party and the State government.

The leaders said the unions had held extensive discussions on which organisation would best safeguard the interests and welfare of RTC employees and secure recognition as a workers-friendly union.

Another, JAC with an alliance of (TGSRTC) Employees Union, TMU and NMU had earlier released a 40 points charter for the polls. The JAC have continued organising movements on employee issues since trade-union elections were discontinued in 2019. It cited demonstrations, dharnas, hunger strikes, protests and other programmes conducted over the past several years.

The JAC also referred to a three-day strike from April 22 to 24, 2026, stating that the agitation contributed to agreements concerning merger of RTC employees with the government, revival of trade unions and implementation of the 2021 wage revision.

All alliances has been raising the major demands, including merger of TGSRTC employees with the government, implementation of salary revision from April 1, 2025, along with payment of pending 2017 and 2021 revision arrears, to improved facilities at the Tarnaka hospital, regular monthly remittances towards the Contributory Pension Scheme (CCS) and Provident Fund (PF), and the gradual settlement of previous dues. All alliances further demand the purchase of new buses, construction of new depots and fresh recruitment on a regular basis as steps aimed at expanding and strengthening the RTC.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MM Farooqui

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M M Farooqui, senior correspondent with interest in writing a range of stories about Hyderabad and its Purana Sheher. An experienced journalist specializing in departments including Heritage, Transport, Municipal Corporation, Majlis among others with over six years of writing expertise. When not immersed in writing, he can be found spending time in eating Hyderabadi cuisines, Mughlai, Chinese, exploring new things and listening to songs and qawwalis. Farooqui is an accomplished writer with a passion for writing with six years of experience, he has honed his craft in various genres. Farooqui’s diverse family history and embracing cultures have enriched his writing with unique perspectives.

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