Namma Metro strike threat returns as reconciliation meeting fails

Employees and the management of the BMRCL are stuck in a deadlock,with a reconciliation meeting called by the regional labour commissioner failing to remove the threat of a strike.

Recognition of their union, hiking pay on par with the salaries of staffers working in other metro corporations in the country and changes in service rules are some of the demands placed before the management of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. The BMRCL Employees Union called for a strike on June 4, the day when the high court

will also resume hearing of a petition, filed by the management challenging the strike. “Since no consensus has arrived between the parties on the demands given by the union, the union stated that it will not call off the strike... The conciliation proceedings ended in a failure,” according to the regional labour commissioner (central).

The union’s legal adviser, Leela Krishnan, said the management was not keen on addressing the issues raised by the employees.

“They have made no financial offer over the past four months, even though several rounds of talks were held. They also refused to give a time frame to settle the issues. There is no other option, but to go ahead with the strike,” Krishnan said.

On whether the strike may be cancelled as the high court is hearing the case on the same day, he said it will begin once the hearing is over.

“The court only told us to intimate it before going on strike. We have fulfilled that condition,” Krishnan said.