Karnataka RTC Strike Begins Today
On Monday, the Karnataka High Court directed the Joint Action Committee of Road Transport Corporation Workers’ Union to defer the strike until Tuesday.
BENGALURU: Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) employees will go on a strike from Tuesday after talks with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah failed to break the deadlock over their 12-point charter of demands, including the settlement of 38 months’ salary arrears. The strike, which began to take shape from Monday evening, led to disruptions in bus services, particularly from depots in Hassan, inconveniencing commuters.
On Monday, the Karnataka High Court directed the Joint Action Committee of Road Transport Corporation Workers’ Union to defer the strike until Tuesday. Following the directive, KSRTC managing director Akram Pasha appealed to employees to comply with the court’s order and refrain from joining the strike.
However, Ananth Subba Rao of the Joint Action Committee stated that employees were being instructed not to operate buses from 6 am on Tuesday. He urged workers to stay away from depots and remain at home, while warning officials against exerting “immoral” pressure to report to duty.
Rao criticised the Chief Minister for only assuring payment of 14 months’ arrears, amounting to `700 crore, whereas the total outstanding dues were estimated at `1,800 crore. He pointed out a shortfall of `1,000 crore and said the state could easily clear the arrears, given the size of the Budget. The committee will decide its next steps today.