MSRTC Workers Win Salary Hike After Strike Ends

MSRTC employees ended their strike following the Maharashtra government's agreement to a Rs 6,500 monthly salary hike. The decision, announced after a meeting with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, brings relief to travelers during the Ganesh festival. The hike will be retroactive from April 2020.

The two-day-old strike by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees was called off late Wednesday evening following the government's assurance of a salary hike, union leaders announced. This development provides much-needed relief to passengers planning to travel during the Ganesh festival.

An action committee of trade unions representing employees of the state-run corporation declared the strike's end after a meeting with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The chief minister agreed to a Rs 6,500 monthly increase in basic salary for MSRTC staff, addressing their primary demand.

The salary hike, which will be retroactive from April 2020, was confirmed by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). 'We are calling off our agitation as the chief minister has assured a salary hike to MSRTC employees,' said Sandeep Shinde, a leader of the Maharashtra ST Kamgar Sanghtana. The agreement also includes clean toilets for women employees and the concretisation of bus depots.

State Industries Minister Uday Samant noted that the unions had initially demanded a Rs 7,000 hike. The announcement marks a significant relief for the 90,000-strong workforce of MSRTC and people traveling during the upcoming 10-day Ganesh festival starting September 7.

(With inputs from agencies.)