Unions call for transport strike from midnight today

State government declares holidays for schools on Monday and Tuesday

The State-wide strike by employees of the State road transport undertakings will begin from Sunday midnight.

As many as 23,000 buses are likely to remain off roads, according to estimates by unions, as wage revision talks with the government did not succeed on Saturday.

The strike date is set for Monday but it may also affect night services from Sunday itself. The State government declared holidays for schools on Monday and Tuesday in lieu of the strike.

Meanwhile, in order to keep bus services across the BMTC, KSRTC, NEKRTC and NWKRTC regions running, the State is now making alternative arrangements, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in Mysuru on Saturday. While the unions are demanding a wage hike of 35 per cent citing profits declared by BMTC and KSRTC, the State is prepared to offer up to 10 per cent, which they say is higher than revisions by neighbouring States.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said it was not financially possible for the demand to be met. “We will have an additional outlay of Rs. 1,550 crore over the next four years to provide a 10 per cent hike. A 30 per cent hike will mean around Rs. 4,500 crore, which will severely affect the corporation’s operations and is not possible,” he said. “They have said that they will make alternative arrangements, let them do it. We are prepared to go ahead with the strike,” said H.V. Anantha Subba Rao, union leader.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the government may hold another round of talks with the unions to resolve the issue.

Government likely

to hold another round of talks with the unions to resolve

the issue