RTO employees’ strike leaves people hassled

Pune: Shivajinagar resident Vineet Saubar had gone to Pune regional transport office (RTO) on Tuesday to change the address on his driving licence. However, he was surprised to find the office practically empty.
"I later came to know that the clerical staffers of RTO are on an indefinite strike. Though a change of address can be done online, there were certain complications in my case.But with the strike on, my work couldn't be done," he said. While tests for learner and permanent licences and checks of vehicles for fitness tests took place, many other works could not be done.
Close to 1,500 clerical staffers from 50 RTO offices across the state, including offices in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, are on an indefinite strike from Monday to protest the failure of the authorities to implement the promotion scheme from clerical cadre to office superintendent.
Jagdish Kande, the working president of Motor Vahan Vibhag (RTO) Karmchari Sanghatna, said that despite the transport department going ahead with office restructuring in 2022, they were yet to get their dues. "As part of restructuring, the deserving employees were to be made office superintendents and many were to be promoted to Class-II grade. However, we are yet to be promoted and many deserving people have retired in the meantime," he said.
At Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad RTO offices, a total of around 110 clerical staffers are on strike. "Every time we have met the transport commissioner, we were assured that promotions would take place. But promotions are only taking place at officer level and posts of RTO, deputy RTO, assistant RTO are being filled. The strike will continue until our demands are met," a striking worker with Pimpri Chinchwad RTO office pointed out.
Arun Kasle, an autorickshaw driver, who had come to Pune office to change the ownership of his vehicles, said, "I thought I would complete all the formalities today and my work would be done by the end of the week. But with clerical staffers not working, I am not sure when I will be able to get my work done. I hope the strike ends soon," he said.
Shrirang Kurlekar, who had come to the office to submit some documents regarding his four-wheeler loan, was angry. "It is frustrating when you come all the way and can't get your job done," he said.
Pune deputy RTO Swapnil Bhosle said that officers were working in all the RTOs. "There are talks which might be happening at transport commissioner level. Many office works have been affected so far," he said.