The 8-day-long transport Strike in Tamil Nadu by government transportation workers to push revision of wages have finally been called off as the Madras High Court appointed retired judge E Padmanabhan as an arbitrator for the resolution of dispute and workers have resumed work from today.

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The government transport workers of Tamil Nadu went on an 8-day-long strike as the quantum of dispute over wage between state and employees grew intense. Finally, the Madras High Court on Thursday passed an interim order and appointed its former judge E Padmanabhan asn an arbitrator to adjudicate the dispute between state government and transportation employees over the dispute of wage revision. As soon as the former judge was appointed, he directed the striking workers to resume back to work.

Later on Thursday night, the trade unions affiliated to Opposition political parties called off the strike and directed everyone to resume work from Friday morning. The announcement was made by DMK-affiliated Labour Progressive Front general secretary M Shanmughan saying, “In the interest of children, students, patients, elders, commuters and larger section of the society, the issue has been referred to the arbitrator to adjudicate the wage dispute and the effective date of such revision of wage.” Hence, the strike came to an end after eight days, during which commuters all over the State faced severe difficulties.

The interim judge said that the government “shows there is something more than the 2.44 factor” against the demand of 2.57 times increment. The striking workers of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) however has said that the strike is temporarily withdrawn keeping in mind the welfare of the people of the state. So it could be recalled if the state or the court fails to keep their promises and come up with a resolution soon.

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