Strike by cabbies to hit air travellers

Strike by cabbies to hit air travellers

MK Madhusoodan. Bangalore

Air passengers in the city had a lot to cheer about in the past few days with most airlines slashing air fares, but their New Year might not start on a pleasant note. Meru Cabs drivers, who ferry a majority of the passengers, have called for an indefinite strike.
On Thursday, 400 of the total 500 Meru Cab drivers took out a rally in 100 cabs, from Chikkalalbagh to the Urban Deputy Commissioner's office on Race Course Road. They were protesting against the unjust loan repayment schedule heaped upon them by the management of Meru Cabs.
The drivers organised themselves under the Bangalore International Airport Taxi Drivers' Union, affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). The drivers have been on strike since December 19 and the union had asked CITU to negotiate on with the management and the government authorities. But, the talks failed on December 30, after which the drivers called for an indefinite strike.