Karnataka bus services face disruption as transport unions plan strike May 20

Bus services across Karnataka face severe disruption as employees of four state-run transport corporations plan to begin an indefinite strike on May 20. The strike, called by a coalition of trade unions known as the Joint Action Committee, is centered on demands for higher wages and improved allowances.

The unions are demanding a 25 percent salary increase for all employees, to be applied retroactively from January 1, 2024. They have rejected a government offer of a 12.5 percent hike that would take effect in April 2025. Additional demands include the full settlement of arrears, with workers seeking a lump-sum payment of Rs 1,272 crore covering 38 months, and the merger of a 31 percent Dearness Allowance into basic pay.

The impending work stoppage involves employees of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, and the Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation. The potential impact is significant, particularly in Bengaluru, where the BMTC operates thousands of buses serving millions of daily commuters. A strike would likely force passengers onto already crowded metro...