Bus services across Karnataka are likely to be disrupted from May 20 as transport employees' unions prepare for an indefinite strike after conciliation talks with state-run corporations failed on Monday. The meeting, convened by the labour commissioner, was attended by representatives of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of trade unions and officials of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). However, the discussions ended without a breakthrough.
Strike Plans Proceed
Following the failure of talks, JAC office-bearers said the proposed statewide strike would go ahead as scheduled unless the state government addresses the employees' demands by Tuesday. They urged the chief minister to intervene and resolve the issue at the earliest.
Key Demands
The trade unions have demanded a 25% wage revision with effect from January 1, 2024, rejecting the government's offer of a 12.5% hike effective April 1, 2025. At the conciliation meeting, union representatives maintained that they would not compromise on the implementation date, insisting that the revised wages must take effect from January 1, 2024. However, they indicated willingness to negotiate on the percentage of the increase. The unions also demanded that pending salary arrears be paid without deductions.
Union Stance
Convener of JAC, Jayadevaraje Urs, said, "We have not received concrete proposals from the management of the corporations. We have requested the CM to hold a meeting with representatives of the trade unions to resolve the issue. Once we receive a definite response from the state government, we will decide our next course of action. We are firm on going ahead with the strike."
Government Response
Meanwhile, officials of the corporation said the next round of talks will be held on May 25. KSRTC managing director Akram Pasha said that when conciliation talks are under way, unions cannot resort to a strike. "The CM has already held four rounds of meetings with union representatives, while transport minister Ramalinga Reddy has had five rounds. We will take action if they resort to a strike."
The stalemate continues as unions demand a 25% wage hike from January 1, 2024, while the government offers a 12.5% increase effective April 1, 2025. Talks between unions and state-run corporations have ended without agreement. The Joint Action Committee warns that the strike will proceed unless the state government resolves employees' demands by Tuesday.
