RTC employees from across Karnataka stage hunger strike; demand pay hike

Bengaluru: Road Transport Corporation (RTC) employees from across Karnataka staged a symbolic hunger strike at Freedom Park on Wednesday, ahead of their planned indefinite bus strike beginning at 6 am, August 5. 

The strike has been called by the Joint Action Committee of the Trade Unions of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation after its July 4 meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ended in deadlock. 

The committee wants the government to clear arrears of Rs 1,785 crore for 38 months (January 1, 2020, to February 28, 2023) and give a 25% pay hike from January 1, 2024. 

The state’s four RTCs have 1.15 lakh employees. 

During the day, the committee also wrote a letter to the chief minister, condemning government “inaction” and reiterating its demands. 

A senior KSRTC official expressed confidence that the government would find a solution before the strike begins. 

A well-placed government source told DH that the chief minister had been apprised of the matter and was expected to resolve it soon.