Published May 18, 2026 | 7:33 PM ⚊ Updated May 18, 2026 | 7:33 PM
Transport workers' unions have called for an indefinite strike from 20 May.
Synopsis: Though the state government agreed to a 12.5% pay hike, the workers’ unions stood firm on their demanded for a 25% increase in salaries.
Four trade unions representing transport workers in Karnataka have called for an indefinite strike starting Wednesday, 20 May, demanding a 25 per cent pay hike with retrospective effect from 1 January 2024.
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on Monday, 18 May, warned employees against striking, stating that transport services fall under the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Act.
Trade unions of workers in the KSRTC, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, North Western Karnataka Transport Corporation and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation called for the strike following failed talks with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The strike by over 1,2 lakh transport workers is likely to affect normal life across Karnataka, especially Bengaluru. The strike call came even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was pushing for the use of public transport amid the fuel crisis caused by the conflict in West Asia.
On 12 May, the government had approved a 12.5 per cent pay hike for RTC employees, effective from 1 April 2025. This was to provide relief to over one lakh workers with prolonged wage revision demands. The state transport management initially proposed a 7 per cent pay hike, but it has now been revised to 12.5 per cent, considering the rising cost of living.
However, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Trade Unions demanded a 25% salary increase, retroactive from 1 January 2024. Union workers said that the government’s offer was inadequate.
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In January 2023, RTC workers held a protest demanding pay revision, among others, such as better healthcare and reinstatement of workers suspended following previous strikes.
The strike was also to intensify the pressure on the government to provide compensation for the families of workers who had died during the Covid-19 pandemic, with many families still waiting for financial relief.
Over the years, unions have pressed for pay revisions. In 2020, they demanded wage revisions under the Sixth Pay Commission, which promised a 30 per cent hike for employees. In 2023, the KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation demanded a 25 per cent wage hike, reporting delays from 2020.
The state government had initially promised to pay ₹1,785 crore in arrears for the period between 1 January 2021 and 28 February 2023. It was later reduced to ₹1,271.92 crore because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Out of this slashed amount, only ₹450 crore has been disbursed so far, resulting in dissatisfaction among RTC workers.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
