Work culture is a ‘strange match’ for trade unionism and it may sound even more strange when a trade union tries to change the work atmosphere of a firm.
The leaders of the CITU-affiliated Kerala State Road Transport Employees Association (KSRTEA) of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) have planned to change the work culture in the Corporation with an intention to revive the ailing public utility.
The association is planning to convene open general body meetings where every member and even non-members of the union can share ideas to save the Corporation. Planned in line with the ‘Save KSRTC’ campaign which is getting a positive response in terms of the increase in the daily revenue of the Corporation, the open general body meetings will begin on January 12 and last till January 20.
The open general body meetings, a practice started by the Association in the ‘80s, is taking a new shape.
The meetings would be convened frequently with an intention to make the Corporation an economically viable entity. The union leaders said that changing work culture was the aim of the open general body meets which would finally result in revamping the Corporation which desperately needs concrete steps for the same.
“Anyone who is interested and has an idea about the functioning of the Corporation can take part in the meeting. The entry is not restricted for members only.
Even non- members and members of other trade unions are welcome,” KSRTEA working president K K Divakaran said. The Association is trying to stop the custom of only some leaders voicing their opinion while workers listen and finally leave without asking the questions they wish to ask.
In the open general body meetings, there would be interactive sessions.
The workers can raise their doubts to the leaders and the leaders will leave only after clearing all doubts.
The general body meets with special purpose will also have ‘space’ to put forward suggestions, formulating policies, discussions on the need to educate public on why the state public utility service is essential, how to increase Kerala State Road Transport Corporation ’s revenue and everything that can save the Corporation.
According to the union leaders, open general body meetings such as the ‘Save KSRTC’ campaign is a fight for social cause.
