Public transport services across Karnataka are likely to face major disruption from May 20 after unions representing employees of the state’s four road transport corporations announced an indefinite strike.
The joint action committee (JAC) of transport unions said employees were dissatisfied with the 12.5 per cent wage hike announced by the state government and demanded a 25 per cent salary increase instead.
Unions reject government wage revision
The Karnataka government on Tuesday approved a 12.5 per cent wage hike for employees of the state transport corporations, effective from April 1, 2025.
However, union leaders said the increase falls short of their long-standing demand for a 25 per cent revision with retrospective effect from January 1, 2024.
B Jayadevaraje Urs said all employees across the four transport corporations would participate in the protest and buses would not operate if the demands remain unaddressed.
Bus services likely to be affected
The strike could significantly impact daily commuters across Karnataka, especially in Bengaluru and other major cities dependent on government bus services.
The unions have also objected to what they described as a “unilateral” wage revision order issued by the government without adequate consultation.
Government yet to take final call
Ramalinga Reddy said the government would review the unions’ protest announcement and take a decision in the coming days.
This is the second major protest threat from transport unions this year. In February, the JAC withdrew an earlier indefinite strike after the government released pending employee arrears worth Rs 1,271.92 crore.
At the time, the government had reportedly assured transport employees that their remaining demands would be examined during the budget process