Six transport unions, including the KSRTC Employees’ Joint Action Committee (JAC), have announced a State-wide indefinite protest on December 31, pressing for various demands. However, a divide among unions has surfaced, with the Karnataka Rajya Raste Sarige Nigamagala Sanghatanegala Okkuta opposing the strike.
Okkuta members argue that the JAC’s agenda does not align with the core demands of most transport employees. According to them, 95% of workers across the four road transport corporations prioritise salary parity with other government employees over the arrears sought by JAC.
“The Joint Action Committee is negotiating for arrears and a 25% pay revision every four years. This proposal is unfair to employees and significantly lower than the salary increments granted to other government workers under the 7th Pay Commission. We demand a similar pay scale for RTC employees to ensure equity,” said Okkuta convenor R. Chandrashekhar.
Mr Chandrashekhar also dismissed the potential impact of the strike, claiming that most employees support the Okkuta and will not participate in the protest.
Meanwhile, JAC and allied unions are determined to proceed with the strike. They urged the government to address long-pending issues, including salary arrears and gratuity payments. The unions claim that the government owes ₹1,750 crores in arrears and ₹399.29 crores in gratuity.
Despite assurances of a salary hike from January 2024, union leaders express frustration over the government’s failure to act. “We have the full support of RTC employees for the strike,” said H.V. Anantha Subba Rao, President of the KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation. “The Chief Minister and the Transport Minister had repeatedly promised to address our concerns, but their inaction has left us no choice.”
Published – December 24, 2024 09:43 pm IST