The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : A mess on May Day

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

A mess on May Day

Special Correspondent

Many workers with passes find the door shut on them

DISAPPOINTED LOT: Workers gather outside Ravindra Bharati after they were denied entry in spite of having passes and invitations on Tuesday. — Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

HYDERABAD: A large number of enthusiastic workers and employees, who thronged Ravindra Bharati auditorium to witness the presentation of the Shram Shakti awards by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on May Day, were turned away by police.

A mild commotion prevailed outside the auditorium as more than 3,000 entry passes were issued against a much lesser capacity. Police found it tough regulating entry into the hall and denied passage even to the invitees.

Several passholders jostled at the main entrance where police frisked the visitors before allowing them inside the auditorium where the Chief Minister presented the awards. Unprecedented security arrangements were made at the auditorium with police personnel taking the utmost precaution to avoid untoward incidents.

Call to union leaders

Addressing a meeting at the MB Bhavan, headquarters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), veteran trade unionist Parsa Satyanarayana urged the working classes and union leaders to re-dedicate themselves to protect their rights and welfare.

P. Madhu, MP, and State secretariat member Y. Venkateswara Rao were among those present.

Working president of APSRTC Employees' Union V. Raja Rama Mohan Rao hoisted the flag to mark the celebrations.

He criticised the management for `increasing schedules' of drivers and conductors even to 12 hours a day.

He said the `uncooperative' attitude had forced the union to announce an indefinite strike from May 11.

Demands included implementation of an eight-hour work day, regularisation of contract and casual labour, scrapping of outsourcing policy and preparation of duty charts as provided in the Motor Vehicles Act.

The Andhra Pradesh Medical and Sales Representatives' Union at its general body meeting resolved to undertake a campaign to press for a six-hour field work in the daily eight-hour schedule.

About 150 members pledged to dedicate themselves to uphold the May Day banner for social justice to workmen.

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