Leaders condole death of AITUC leader Thiyagarajan

CHENNAI: The mortal remains of well-known trade union leader S S Thiyagarajan were consigned to flames in Chennai on Sunday. Thiyagarajan passed away here on Saturday due to a massive cardiac arrest. He was 74.
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) vice-president and former publisher of CPI's mouthpiece 'Janasakthi', Thiyagarajan played a vital role in organizing employees' protests against the state government before and after the previous AIADMK regime sacked thousands of striking employees on the provisions of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (Esma) in 2003.Most of the employees were reinstated after the intervention of the Supreme Court.
Thiyagarajan, a bachelor, was an engineer by profession. He worked with the public works department of the state government and resigned his job to join the Communist Party of India as a fulltime worker.
Leaders of various trade unions and parties, including DMK president M Karunanidhi, CPI state secretary D Pandian and Dravida Kazhagam leader K Veeramani, condoled his death.
In a statement, Karunanidhi recalled his various meetings with Thiygarajan on workers' issues. Thiyagarajan had dedicated his whole life for the party, Karunanidhi said.
CPI senior leaders D Raja, R Nallakannu and D Pandian, senior leaders of all the trade unions, including those of DMK's Labour Progressive Federation and CPM's Centre of Indian Trade Unions, attended his last rites.
Thiyagarajan played a key role in organizing all the trade unions in Tamil Nadu for joint protests against the government. He had written many columns in 'Janasakthi,' CPI leaders recalled.