Karnataka HC restrains transport unions from May 20 strike

The Karnataka High Court has temporarily halted a proposed bus strike by state road transport corporation employees, citing potential hardship to commuters, especially students.

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday restrained the employees unions of state road transport corporations in the state from proceeding with their proposed strike on May 20.

The interim order was passed by a vacation bench comprising Justices Suraj Govindaraj and K Manmadha Rao while hearing a PIL that raised concerns over hardship to commuters, especially students.

During the hearing, counsel for the transport corporations submitted that a 12.5 per cent salary hike had already been implemented and Rs 450 crore disbursed to employees.

The bench also directed the authorities to hold talks with union representatives in the presence of the Transport Minister or the Chief Minister, along with senior secretaries.

The development comes a day after the JAC of road transport corporation workers' unions in the State asserted that it will go ahead with an indefinite statewide bus strike starting May 20, if the government fails to meet its demands.

The primary demand is a 25 per cent salary hike for employees with effect from January 2024.

They are also demanding full arrears settlement. While the government has agreed to pay arrears for 26 months, employees are demanding payment for the full 38 months, amounting to Rs 1,272 crore in a single instalment.

The workers also seek a merger of 31 per cent Dearness Allowance (DA) into basic pay, along with increases in daily bata (wages) and other allowances.