Bengaluru: Public transport services across Karnataka are likely to face major disruption as the joint action committee (JAC) of workers' unions from state-run transport corporations has announced an indefinite statewide strike starting May 20.
The strike is expected to impact operations of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC). Bus services may come to a halt from 6 am on the day the strike begins.
The decision to go on strike follows the breakdown of recent discussions between transport union leaders and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy. Union representatives stated that repeated appeals to the government over their demands have not yielded satisfactory results.
At a press conference, Jyothi Ananthasubba Rao, president of the KSRTC Staff and Workers' Federation, confirmed the strike call and outlined the grievances of employees.
A key issue raised by the unions is the demand for a 25 per cent salary hike, to be implemented with retrospective effect from January 2024.
According to union leaders, the government has instead proposed a 7 per cent increase effective from April 1, 2025, which they have rejected as inadequate.
Union representatives emphasised that the delay and reduced hike do not address the financial pressures faced by transport workers.
The unions have stated that the government would be responsible for any inconvenience caused to the public due to the strike. They argued that despite multiple attempts to resolve the matter through dialogue, their concerns have not been adequately addressed.
Leaders of the JAC reiterated that the strike is a last resort after exhausting all avenues for negotiation.
Apart from the wage hike, the unions have placed several other demands before the government:
Union leaders have stressed that these demands are essential for improving the welfare and financial stability of transport employees.
If the strike proceeds as planned, it is likely to severely affect daily commuters, including office-goers, students, and rural passengers who depend heavily on public transport services.
KSRTC and its sister corporations form the backbone of Karnataka's public transportation network, connecting urban and rural areas across the state.
With the strike date approaching, attention is now on whether further negotiations between the government and union leaders can avert the disruption. The situation remains fluid, and any resolution will be crucial in preventing large-scale inconvenience to the public.