Bengaluru: BMTC and KSRTC workers unions have decided to go ahead with their indefinite period starting from Monday. Talks between the management of BMTC and KSRTC and the unions held on Saturday failed to arrive to any understanding over the various demands.
According to the union leaders, the strike will start by 6 am on Monday. “All the night shift buses of both KSRTC and BMTC will be operated only till 6 am. Then the indefinite strike will start,” said a union leader.
According to the sources, both KSRTC and BMTC managements held several rounds of talks with the union leaders on Saturday till evening. “But union leaders declined to withdraw the strike call. We want at least 20 days time to consider the various demands of the unions. As of now, they have not called off the strike,” said a BMTC official.
No meeting on Sunday
According to the state transport department officials, as Sunday is a holiday for all the government offices, no meeting has been scheduled to resolve the crisis or take any precautionary measures to tackle the crisis. “We are expecting that crew will attend the duty on Monday like any other day. Decision will be taken according to the situation,” added a senior officer.
BMTC officials said everyday more than 2 lakh passengers travel in BMTC buses, while around 10 lakh people depend on KSRTC bus services across the state. "This will add to the Monday blues,” said a senior officer.
Private bus operators, mini bus owners expected to make a killing. “Last time when BMTC union called for an indefinite strike, private players operated hundreds of mini buses across the city. This time around auto drivers and app based cabs are also expected to fleece passengers if the strike is not called off,” he said.
Meanwhile KSRTC and BMTC SC/ST workers union on Saturday announced that it will not participate in the strike. According to the union members, the state government has already agreed to several demands of the BMTC/KSRTC staff.
What may happen on Sunday?
According to the sources at BMTC and KSRTC, no meeting has been arranged between the officials and union leaders on Sunday. But the state transport department and Chief Minister's office may intervene as a last minute effort to break the deadlock.
Pay better than other states: Minister
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has said that compared to other states, BMTC and KSRTC crew members are drawing higher salary and perks. In addition the corporations were also giving away 2 per cent of total collection to KSRTC crew and 3 per cent to BMTC crew.
Both KSRTC and BMTC are not in a position to hike the salary beyond 10 per cent. BMTC is undergoing a lot of financial constraints. If we increase the salaries beyond 10 per cent we need to revise the ticket fare. Compare to rest of the states, BMTC fare is already very high.
