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Central line passengers rejoice at end of TRL workers` strike
2008-03-15 09:27:42
By Nsuduki Limbe, PST, Tabora
More than 300 stranded train passengers from Kigoma and Mpanda en route to Dodoma, Mwanza and other regions left Tabora yesterday to continue with their journey after TRL workers` strike was resolved.
The strike ended after agreement between Union Workers` leadership and TRL management on increment of minimum wage from 87,000/- to 160,000/- per month, effective March this year.
A statement signed by TRAWU Secretary General, Sylvester Rwegasira, and distributed to all TRL workers instructed them to resume their duties.
Addressing passengers at Tabora Railway Station, Tabora District Commissioner, Moshi Chang`a told TRL management to foot passenger bills until departure.
Earlier on, TRL workers stated categorically that they would not resume work until they received instruction from fellow workers in Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Dodoma and other regions where TRL services operate.
They further told the DC that, the agreement on salary increment notwithstanding, they would hold more detailed discussion with the company.
They warned that another strike looms large in case the agreement is not honoured.
``We`re not prepared to watch fellow workers enjoying bliss on earth while others lead refugee sort of life in their own country,`` one of the workers told the DC.
Aggressive TRL workers warned that that was the beginning of actions in demanding their rights, saying that there was no alternative comprehensive and fast way to achieve their rights that would make them look like they lived in their own country.
The 24-hour strike that brought untold misery to passengers, especially women and children, sent some of them to storm Tabora DC`s Office, demanding refund of fares.
Some passengers told PST that part of Central line transport problem is caused by government\'s failure to construct Dodoma-Tabora-Kigoma and Mpanda trunk roads.
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