TVK Supporters in Tamil Nadu Transport Corporations Move to Form New Workers’ Union

Coimbatore, May 2026 : Buoyed by the strong electoral performance of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, a section of employees working in State Transport Undertakings (STUs) has begun efforts to establish a new trade union aligned with the actor-politician Vijay-led party.

According to sources in the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), several transport employees, particularly drivers and conductors who openly supported TVK during the election campaign, celebrated the party’s impressive electoral showing by distributing sweets and gathering at branch offices in different parts of the state.

Encouraged by TVK’s emergence as a major political force in Tamil Nadu, supporters of the party within TNSTC and the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) are now exploring the possibility of launching an independent trade union within the transport sector.

Sources said the proposed union is expected to function on the lines of the influential labour unions affiliated with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), both of which have historically exercised considerable influence in transport corporations whenever their respective parties were in power.

Transport department sources indicated that employees backing TVK had already approached senior leaders of the party seeking formal approval and organisational support for the creation of the union. Preliminary discussions regarding the structure, leadership and operational framework of the proposed organisation are reportedly underway.

Employees involved in the initiative stated that the primary objective of the union would be to address several long-pending grievances faced by transport workers and to ensure stronger representation of employees in negotiations with management and the government.

According to them, issues such as service conditions, excessive workload, transfer policies, salary disputes, retirement benefits and staff welfare would be among the key concerns to be taken up by the proposed union.

“The union is likely to be launched soon,” a driver attached to the TNSTC’s Mettupalayam branch said while speaking to media persons on condition of anonymity.

He added that many transport employees who are active members of Vijay’s fan clubs are currently associated with unions linked to the DMK and AIADMK, but are now considering shifting their allegiance following TVK’s rapid political rise in the state.

Political observers believe the move reflects TVK’s growing appeal among sections of government employees, organised labour groups and younger workers, many of whom actively campaigned for Vijay during the Assembly elections.

The development is also being closely watched within the transport sector, where labour unions have traditionally played a crucial role in shaping employee welfare policies, labour negotiations and administrative decisions within state-run corporations.

Analysts say the formation of a TVK-backed union could potentially alter the balance of influence within transport corporations and further strengthen the party’s grassroots organisational network beyond electoral politics.