Karnataka Transport Employees Announce Indefinite Strike from May 20

Mysuru, May 15: Employees of Karnataka's state-run transport corporations have announced an indefinite strike from May 20, accusing the state government of ignoring their long-pending demands related to salary revisions and pending dues. Speaking on behalf of the Joint Action Committee of labour unions of state road transport corporations, transport employees federation leader Jayadevaraje Urs said nearly 1.15 lakh transport workers across Karnataka are expected to participate in the strike by staying away from work.

Addressing reporters at the District Journalists Association Hall in Mysuru, he stated that around 6,000 employees from the Mysuru division alone would join the protest. He warned that if the government fails to initiate discussions and resolve the issue before May 20, buses belonging to state transport corporations would not operate from that day onward. The employees are demanding payment of salary arrears pending for 12 months out of a 38-month settlement period, along with a 25% increase in basic pay. They are also seeking enhanced bata and other allowances.

Union leaders alleged that while the Karnataka government implemented the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations for government employees four years ago and increased salaries by 27.5%, transport corporation employees have been subjected to discrimination and denied similar benefits. The unions have demanded that the proposed 25% salary hike be implemented retrospectively from January 1, 2024, for a four-year period. They are also seeking the release of 1,272 crore in pending dues covering 26 months, to be paid in a single installment. Other union leaders and labour representatives, including D. A. Vijayabhaskar and Mallayya, were also present at the press conference.