Tamil Nadu Transport Workers' Strike Continues, 14,000 Buses Remain Off Road | Read

Commuters in Tamil Nadu are stranded, forced to pay through the nose to autorickshaw and cab drivers or walk long distances as around 14,000 buses have remained off the road for the second day after transport workers' unions went on strike demanding a pay hike. Thousands of passengers yesterday waited at bus stands as only a third of the buses operated in Chennai and other areas in the state. Twelve workers' unions decided to strike after talks with the state transport minister did not result in any breakthrough, they said. The Madras High Court has asked the workers to call off their strike and report for duty or face consequences that will include suspension and dismissal. The trade unions, however, say they will discontinue their strike after they see the High Court order.