Karnataka transport unions call indefinite bus strike from May 20

Transport unions in Karnataka have called for an indefinite statewide bus strike from May 20, likely to disrupt public transport services across the state after talks with the government failed to resolve a long-standing wage dispute.
The strike has been announced by the Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporations (JAC), which said buses operated by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation will remain off the roads starting 6 am on the day of the protest.The decision follows unsuccessful negotiations with Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, with unions rejecting the government’s offer of a 7 per cent salary hike effective April 1, 2025.
Addressing a press conference, Jyothi Ananthasubba Rao, president of the KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation, said employees are demanding a 25 per cent salary increase with effect from January 2024. “The proposal put forward by the government does not meet the expectations of the workforce and is unacceptable,” she said.
Union leaders warned that the government would be responsible for inconvenience caused to commuters, stating that repeated appeals for a fair settlement had gone unanswered. They accused the administration of inaction despite multiple representations.
The JAC also outlined a set of key demands, including immediate payment of Rs1,272 crore in pending wage arrears covering a 26-month period, enhancement of daily allowances and other employee benefits, and disbursement of compensation to families of employees who died during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, unions have sought resolution of administrative issues such as ‘Form-4’ through structured discussions with the government within a stipulated timeline.
Senior union representatives, including D A Vijay Bhaskar, B Jayadevaraje Urs, and H D Revappa, were present at the briefing and reiterated their call for an early resolution, while maintaining that the strike would proceed as scheduled if demands remain unmet. With lakhs of commuters dependent on state-run buses, the proposed strike is expected to significantly impact daily travel across urban and rural areas if a breakthrough is not reached before May 20.

(State Correspondent)