Transport Workers Set to Strike Over Unresolved Demands
Karnataka’s state-owned transport corporation employees have declared an indefinite strike commencing on August 5. This decision follows unsuccessful negotiations with the Karnataka government, which failed to meet the union’s demands for salary arrears and a future pay hike. Despite appeals from the Karnataka High Court and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the unions remain firm in their stance.
Unions Demand Arrears and Salary Hike
The primary contention revolves around the demand for 38 months of unpaid salary arrears and a proposed salary increase effective January 1, 2024. During a final meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, the government offered to clear two years of arrears but requested the unions to forgo claims on the remaining period. This proposal was rejected by the KSRTC Staff and Workers’ Federation, led by President H V Anantha Subbarao, who emphasized the necessity of fulfilling all arrears.
Government’s Appeal and Historical Context
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged the unions to reconsider their strike plans, highlighting past efforts to revise salaries, including a 12.5% hike in 2016 during his previous tenure. He criticized the former BJP government for not implementing a salary revision in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Siddaramaiah also pointed out that when his administration left office in 2018, the transport corporations’ debt had significantly reduced.
Legal Proceedings and Court’s Intervention
The Karnataka High Court intervened by requesting transport unions to delay their strike by a day to facilitate further discussions. The court expressed concern over the prolonged delay in wage revisions for drivers and conductors, urging both parties to resolve issues through dialogue. The Joint Action Committee (JAC), representing employees from all state-run transport corporations, announced the strike amidst ongoing conciliation proceedings.