The BMRCL Employees Union has decided to go ahead with the indefinite strike from Monday after they failed to resolve contentious issues with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).
Union members stood firm on their decision even while the BMRCL termed the strike illegal.
On May 30, the Regional Labour Commissioner held a meeting between the two parties, but failed to arrive at a resolution.
Suryanarayana Murthy, vice-president, BMRCL Employees Union, said, “The BMRCL management has dismissed all our reasonable demands, including corrective measures on wage disparity. Several conciliation meetings, including the one held on Wednesday, failed. The BMRCL has been violating directions of the Karnataka High Court. They are also threatening to impose ESMA. On Monday, the court will hear the matter. We will go on strike after the hearing.”
Strike call is illegal: MD
Mahindra Jain, Managing Director, BMRCL, told The Hindu that the corporation would not hesitate to take legal action against employees who participate in the strike and disrupt operations.
“Metro services, by any logic, qualify to be brought under the purview of essential service. The State government is well within its powers to notify it as an essential service, under ESMA. We are given to understand that the central government is also planning to do the same. We are confident that it will be upheld even in a court of law,” said Mr. Jain.
“As per the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the strike becomes illegal at the point of time when the conciliation process is not fully completed until well after a report is submitted to the government by the Labour Commissioner. We believe that the strike is in violation of court orders also, as they should not give a strike call before a court hearing.”
‘There won’t be disruption’
BMRCL officials said even if employees go on strike on Monday, operations will not be disturbed and security would be provided to passengers.
“We are fully geared to operate the services to the best of our ability even if some employees choose to go on strike. Full security will be provided to the travelling public and to those employees who understand their responsibility and turn up for work. To those who still choose to go on strike, we will have no option but to take all legal, disciplinary steps and criminal action under the law,” Mr. Jain added.
