Madrac HC bars gangmen from going on strike

Chennai: Madras high court on Wednesday restrained the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Gangmen Union from resorting to an indefinite strike from Aug 22.

Justice N Senthilkumar passed the interim order on a plea moved by Tangedco challenging the strike notice issued by the union pressing certain demands, including promotion as field assistants.

According to the petitioner, on Aug 19, the union organised a demonstration before Tangedco head office in which it was decided that they will go on an indefinite strike from Aug 22.

He contended that the strike call given by the union is not only in contravention of the Industrial Disputes Act but also against the judgment of the high court passed in 2004.

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On Wednesday, when the court commenced its proceedings, counsel for the petitioner made a mention requesting urgent hearing of the plea. The court agreed and instructed the petitioner to put counsel for Tangedco on notice.

 When the plea came for hearing at 2.15pm, the petitioner informed the court that an email was sent to the union informing about the hearing, but no one came forward to represent them.

Recording the same, the court said: “The petitioner has made out a case that the petitioner is a public utility corporation. If the strike is allowed, it will hamper the administration and there is a likelihood of failure to the distribution of power and electricity to the entire state.”

Meanwhile, in a separate PIL challenging the strike call, the first bench of Acting Chief Justice D Krishnakumar and Justice P B Balaji directed Tangedco to report steps taken to fill up vacancies.

Source: TOI

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