KSRTC bus strike in Karnataka despite court stay leaves thousands stranded

Employees of Karnataka's state-owned transport corporations began an indefinite strike on Tuesday morning (August 5), severely affecting public bus services across the state and leaving passengers in the lurch.

Workers from all four state-run road transport corporations – KKRTC, KSRTC, NWKRTC, and BMTC – launched a statewide strike. The unions went ahead with the strike despite a court stay against the agitation, pressing for demands including wage revision.

Buses remained parked at depots and only a few were seen running, as some staff chose not to participate in the strike. Some buses in rural areas operated as a few drivers opted to work for the convenience of students to ferry them to their schools, said sources in the transport department.

The transport corporations are learned to have roped in trainee bus drivers to manage the situation.

Thousands stranded

Bus stands in major cities like Bengaluru, Chikkamagaluru, Raichur, Chitradurga, Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Hassan, Madikeri, Shivamogga, and Kalaburagi saw heavy passenger rush, with thousands stranded and struggling to find alternate ways to reach their destinations.

Also Read: KSRTC, BMTC announce indefinite strike from August 5

Passengers faced difficulty due to the running of a limited number of buses, mostly those that went on the roads before the strike officially began.

Private operators, cabs, autos make a killing

Private bus operators and cab aggregators allegedly made a killing as a result of the strike as passengers turned to them to reach their destinations.

Some passengers complained that autorickshaw drivers were charging exorbitant fares in Bengaluru.

The protest comes after talks between the workers' unions and the Karnataka government failed.

Workers’ demands

The workers are demanding payment of 38 months' salary arrears (totalling ₹1,785 crore) and a 25 per cent wage revision effective January 1, 2024. Other demands include improved working conditions and job regularisation.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had appealed to the unions to call off the strike.

Also Read: KSRTC submits proposal to Karnataka govt for 15-20% bus fare hike

However, union leaders said they were unhappy with the government's offer to clear only two years of arrears and having got no clear assurance on salary revision.

KSRTC Staff and Workers' Federation president HV Anantha Subbarao said, "We are not satisfied. The strike will begin as planned. We want full 38 months' arrears."

Security tightened

The government tightened security across Karnataka to prevent any untoward incidents.

The strike follows the breakdown of negotiations between the Joint Action Committee of trade unions and the government. The government has warned of disciplinary action.

KSRTC Managing Director Akram Pasha said they had issued circulars enforcing a “no work no pay” policy, and that transport is an essential service under the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Act.

Despite the Karnataka High Court issuing an interim stay on the strike, the unions have decided to go ahead with their protest.

The HC had on Monday (August 4) said that if the entire public transport operation was stalled, people are likely to be put to hardship, and therefore granted the interim stay till Tuesday, awaiting the outcome of negotiations with the government.

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KSRTC carries more than one crore passengers daily, with about 40 lakh people using the BMTC services in Bengaluru city alone.

During a court hearing, the bench expressed concern over the long-pending wage issues and asked the government about the delay in resolving the issue.

(With agency inputs)