Minister warns employees not to participate in bus strike

Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy Monday warned employees of state-run road transport corporations against participating in the statewide bus strike scheduled for Wednesday, stating that disciplinary action will be initiated against those abstaining from duty.

The warning comes after the joint action committee (JAC) of transport unions decided to go ahead with the agitation over wage revision demands.

Explaining govt’s stand, Reddy said salary revisions for transport corporation employees are typically undertaken once in every four years. However, the revision due during Covid-19 period was deferred by the previous BJP regime, he claimed.

According to the minister, BJP govt implemented a wage revision in 2023 with prospective effect, under which the next salary revision is scheduled only for 2027. He said unions are opposing this framework and demanding retrospective implementation of the wage hike.

Reddy said after Congress govt assumed office, several rounds of discussions were held with union representatives. “Taking into account the financial condition of transport corporations, govt decided to prepone the wage revision to April 1, 2025, effectively advancing it by two years,” he said.

Despite this concession, unions insisted the revised pay structure be implemented from Jan 1, 2024. The minister maintained the govt had taken “proactive and financially calibrated measures,” but alleged that unions are unwilling to arrive at a consensus.

Transport unions, however, argued the govt’s stand violated established wage revision norms and deprived employees of nearly 15 months of salary benefits.

‘No work, no pay rule will be applicable’

Transport corporation managements warned employees against participating in the strike, directing all depots to operate services as scheduled and enforce “no work, no pay” rules for absentees.

An official said govt has invoked provisions of Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), prohibiting KSRTC and BMTC staff from joining the strike. Officials said bus services are essential, and participation in the strike will invite disciplinary action.

KSRTC management has sent messages to the mobile numbers of employees as well as trainees, urging them not to join the strike. The corporation has 14,000 trainee bus crew and over 7,000 outsourced staff.