<p>Bengaluru: Employees of the four Road Transport Corporations (RTCs) in Karnataka have announced an indefinite strike from 6 am on December 31, seeking a pay raise and arrears payments among other things. </p><p>The Joint Action Committee of the Trade Unions of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporations, which is composed of six employees' unions, gave the strike notice under the Industrial Disputes Act on Monday, coinciding with the start of the winter legislature session in Belagavi. </p><p>The committee also held a protest demonstration in Belagavi. </p><p>The notice, addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, listed 13 demands and accused the government of failing to fulfill them despite multiple reminders. </p>.Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti leaders, activists detained in Belagavi for opposing Karnataka Assembly winter session.<p>According to the committee, RTC employees held conventions on August 13, 27, 28, as well a protest demonstration on September 12, to draw the government's attention to their demands. Later, on September 26, they formally submitted their demands to KSRTC Managing Director, V Anbukumar. This was followed by a meeting with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on October 9, where senior government officials ruled out a pay hike unless bus fares are increased. </p><p>While Reddy reportedly promised to discuss the employees' demands with the chief minister, the committee claims no progress has been made so far. On November 22, the committee decided to launch the strike. </p><p>According to a well-placed source, the government owes the RTCs Rs 7,319.81 crore, including Rs 4,562 crore, Rs 1,764 crore towards Shakti scheme reimbursement and Rs 998 crore towards fuel and supplies payments. </p><p>The RTCs, in turn, have liabilities of Rs 5,492.24 crore. These include Rs 2,595.29 crore (provident fund), Rs 877.29 crore (loans), Rs 399.29 crore (retiral benefits), Rs 306.87 crore (dearness allowance and leave encashment), Rs 659.25 crore (fuel payments), Rs 146.78 crore (suppliers), Rs 153.54 crore (accident relief compensation) and Rs 353.57 crore (miscellaneous). </p><p>"If the government clears the RTCs' dues, they can easily honour their financial commitments," the source said.</p><p><strong>Major demands</strong></p><p>1) A 25% hike in basic pay from January 1, 2025, for employees who complete 31 years of continuous service. The raise will be in force until December 31, 2027. </p><p>2) Payment of arrears as per the 15% pay hike from January 1, 2020, to February 28, 2023 (38 months). </p><p>3) Monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 for outpatient care, free medicines, canteen facility, shift system, retiring rooms for female staff, etc. </p><p>4) Payment of Rs 4,562 crore in dues to RTCs, excluding Rs 1,346 crore towards Shakti scheme reimbursement, and clearance of previous month's dues by the first week of the next month. </p><p>5) Payment of Rs 998 crore to fuel and other supplies.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Employees of the four Road Transport Corporations (RTCs) in Karnataka have announced an indefinite strike from 6 am on December 31, seeking a pay raise and arrears payments among other things. </p><p>The Joint Action Committee of the Trade Unions of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporations, which is composed of six employees' unions, gave the strike notice under the Industrial Disputes Act on Monday, coinciding with the start of the winter legislature session in Belagavi. </p><p>The committee also held a protest demonstration in Belagavi. </p><p>The notice, addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, listed 13 demands and accused the government of failing to fulfill them despite multiple reminders. </p>.Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti leaders, activists detained in Belagavi for opposing Karnataka Assembly winter session.<p>According to the committee, RTC employees held conventions on August 13, 27, 28, as well a protest demonstration on September 12, to draw the government's attention to their demands. Later, on September 26, they formally submitted their demands to KSRTC Managing Director, V Anbukumar. This was followed by a meeting with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on October 9, where senior government officials ruled out a pay hike unless bus fares are increased. </p><p>While Reddy reportedly promised to discuss the employees' demands with the chief minister, the committee claims no progress has been made so far. On November 22, the committee decided to launch the strike. </p><p>According to a well-placed source, the government owes the RTCs Rs 7,319.81 crore, including Rs 4,562 crore, Rs 1,764 crore towards Shakti scheme reimbursement and Rs 998 crore towards fuel and supplies payments. </p><p>The RTCs, in turn, have liabilities of Rs 5,492.24 crore. These include Rs 2,595.29 crore (provident fund), Rs 877.29 crore (loans), Rs 399.29 crore (retiral benefits), Rs 306.87 crore (dearness allowance and leave encashment), Rs 659.25 crore (fuel payments), Rs 146.78 crore (suppliers), Rs 153.54 crore (accident relief compensation) and Rs 353.57 crore (miscellaneous). </p><p>"If the government clears the RTCs' dues, they can easily honour their financial commitments," the source said.</p><p><strong>Major demands</strong></p><p>1) A 25% hike in basic pay from January 1, 2025, for employees who complete 31 years of continuous service. The raise will be in force until December 31, 2027. </p><p>2) Payment of arrears as per the 15% pay hike from January 1, 2020, to February 28, 2023 (38 months). </p><p>3) Monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 for outpatient care, free medicines, canteen facility, shift system, retiring rooms for female staff, etc. </p><p>4) Payment of Rs 4,562 crore in dues to RTCs, excluding Rs 1,346 crore towards Shakti scheme reimbursement, and clearance of previous month's dues by the first week of the next month. </p><p>5) Payment of Rs 998 crore to fuel and other supplies.</p>
