BMRCL yet to decide on action against 'erring' employees

Caught between the necessity to ensure discipline in the setup and a threat of another strike, BMRCL is yet to decide on taking action against employees who were involved in a quarrel and launched a strike that disrupted Metro services last month.

On July 6, quarrel broke out between the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) employees and a constable attached to the Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF). Employees launched a strike against the arrest of their co-worker that continued till July 7 afternoon, disrupting Metro services much to the anger of commuters.

Though the rumblings had subsided over the next few weeks, a draft show-cause notice leaked last week has led to a furore with BMRCL Employees Union threatening to launch a strike if the management initiates any disciplinary action.

BMRCL managing director Pradeep Singh Kharola said he will take a decision after receiving the document related to the disciplinary proceedings. “I am yet to receive the papers. I cannot comment on the issue. Our only aim is to ensure there is discipline and commuters are not denied of our service,” he said.

Listing out a slew of "unlawful" activities, including riotous and disorderly behaviour, sabotaging Metro operations and wilful  insubordination, the draft notice asks the employees to reply within seven days. If an employee's "reply is not found to be satisfactory, further action will be initiated", it warns.

Vice president of the employees union Suryanarayana Murthy said BMRCL will betray the trust of its employees if it serves a show-cause notice. “The management had promised us no disciplinary action will be taken against the employees. It was on this condition that employees resumed work.

Moreover, it was a peaceful protest,” he said.

An employee and office bearer of the union told DH on condition of anonymity that any show-cause notice would lead to a long-drawn strike. “We did not go on a strike demanding a hike in salary. We were protesting against the injustice meted out to a coworker. We will launch a strike even if one worker gets notice. We won’t allow the management to divide us,” he said.