Karnataka: RTC staffers to launch strike from May 20

Bengaluru: Road Transport Corporation (RTC) employees have announced an indefinite strike from May 20, following a series of “failed” negotiations regarding a pay hike and arrears payment. 

On Wednesday, the Joint Action Committee of the Trade Unions of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation issued the strike notice in a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, hours after a meeting with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy failed to address their long-standing issues. 

The committee has been demanding payment of Rs 1,785 crore as arrears for 38 months (January 1, 2020, to February 28, 2023) and a 25% pay hike from January 1, 2024. 

The state government had promised to clear 26 months’ arrears worth Rs 1,271.92 crore. 

A meeting on April 17 saw the management of transport corporations offer a 7% hike in basic pay.

The unions, however, rejected this offer, sticking to the 25% hike demand to match the 27.5% hike recently granted to other state government employees under the 7th Pay Commission. 

At a meeting on Wednesday, the transport minister stated he would bring the workers’ appeals to the chief minister’s attention for a final decision. 

Noting “a deep sense of discrimination” and “frustration” at the government’s stance, the Joint Action Committee decided to call for an indefinite strike starting from May 20 as per Section 22 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. 

It also demanded merging the 31% Dearness Allowance (DA) existing as of July 1, 2002, into the basic pay, and resolving ‘Form-4’ and other pending demands within one month.