KSRTC warns of disciplinary action against employees participating in strike; warns of 'no work, no pay' for absentees

Bengaluru: Ahead of the planned strike of the state transport corporation employees on May 20, Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation (KSRTC) Managing Director Akram Pasha has urged the employees not to join the protests, warning of disciplinary action of 'no work, no pay' against absentees. 

Meanwhile, the state transport corporation unions have urged employees not to report to work on Wednesday, expressing their solidarity to a protest that demands a 25% salary hike and full settlement of pending wage arrears.

The unions have issued a strict deadline to the state government demanding a resolution by the afternoon of May 19, failing which, services in all four state-run transport corporations — KSRTC, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) will be withdrawn.

In response to this, a notice was issued by the KSRTC to senior and divisional controlling officers. It said the proposed strike called by the Joint Action Committee of labour organisations was impermissible under the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Act (KESMA), 2013 which governs the essential public utility services.

It noted that all four corporations have been declared public utility services and noted that the dispute related to the strike notice is currently under conciliation before the State Labour Commissioner. Citing provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, it said employees of a public utility service cannot go on strike while conciliation proceedings are pending.

Officials across the corporations have been directed to take precautionary measures to ensure that scheduled services are not disrupted during the strike.

As per the circular, no leave will be sanctioned from May 20 onwards, except in "unavoidable circumstances". Employees absent during the strike period will face action under the 'no work, no pay' principle, and a list of absentees will be prepared for salary deductions.