Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a pay revision for state road transport corporation employees effective from April 2026, but the offer has failed to satisfy union leaders who continue to press for their original demands.
Union Demands Remain Unmet
The Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions representing Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation workers has been advocating for two primary demands that they consider non-negotiable. The first demand involves payment of Rs 1,785 crore in arrears covering a 38-month period from January 1, 2020, to February 28, 2023. This substantial amount represents unpaid salary revisions that employees believe they are rightfully owed.
The second key demand is for a 25% pay hike effective from January 1, 2024, which unions argue is essential to keep pace with rising living costs and to ensure fair compensation for RTC workers who form the backbone of Karnataka's public transportation system.
Government's Proposed Solution
While acknowledging the workers' concerns, the Chief Minister has proposed implementing the pay increase starting April 2026 rather than the union's requested January 2024 effective date. The announcement, made in late November 2025, represents the government's attempt to balance fiscal responsibility with addressing employee welfare.
Transport corporation employees across Karnataka have been awaiting resolution on these long-pending issues, with the arrears dispute spanning nearly three years of service. The Rs 1,785 crore figure highlights the significant financial implications for both the state government and the thousands of RTC workers affected by the delayed payments.
Standoff Continues
Despite the government's offer, union representatives have maintained their firm stance, indicating that the proposed April 2026 implementation timeline for the pay hike falls short of their expectations. The gap between the union's January 2024 effective date demand and the government's April 2026 proposal creates a substantial difference in financial impact for employees.
The ongoing dispute highlights the challenges facing public sector transport corporations in balancing employee compensation with financial sustainability. With unions standing firm on their original demands, negotiations are expected to continue as both sides seek common ground that addresses worker concerns while maintaining the operational viability of the state transport service.
Commuters across Karnataka await a resolution that would prevent potential disruptions to bus services while ensuring fair treatment for the transport workers who operate one of the state's most essential public services.
