Employees of Karnataka's four state-run road transport corporations have threatened an indefinite strike starting today, May 20, 2026, creating significant concern for daily commuters across the state. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) representing the workers has rejected the government's latest offer and is pressing for a substantial increase in pay and allowances.
Key Demands of Striking Workers
The primary demand from the unions is a 25% salary hike, which they insist should be implemented retrospectively from January 1, 2024. This stands in contrast to the government's proposed 12.5% increase, effective from April 2025, which the unions have categorically rejected.
Beyond the basic pay raise, workers are also seeking:
- Full settlement of 38 months' worth of arrears, amounting to an estimated Rs 1,272 crore, to be paid in a single installment. The government had reportedly agreed to pay arrears for 26 months, but this was deemed insufficient.
- Merger of 31% Dearness Allowance (DA) into the basic pay structure.
- An increase in daily 'bata' (daily allowance) and other associated allowances.
Negotiations Fail, Strike Imminent
Prior to the strike deadline, negotiations were held at the Labour Commissioner’s office. However, these talks did not yield a resolution. Joint Action Committee member Vijay Bhaskar confirmed that the unions rejected a request to postpone the strike until May 25, the date proposed for a follow-up meeting, citing that due notice had already been given.
"We did not accept this and rejected it categorically," Bhaskar stated, emphasizing the unions' readiness for the strike if their demands are not met through higher-level discussions involving the Transport Minister and Chief Minister.
Government Response and Commuter Impact
The proposed strike is expected to severely affect thousands of daily commuters, especially in Bengaluru and other major districts, who rely heavily on the services of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC).
In response to the strike threat, KSRTC Managing Director Akram Pasha issued a circular warning employees against participation. The circular highlighted a "no work, no pay" policy and threatened disciplinary action for absenteeism. Furthermore, it stated that the state government has brought the services of the road transport corporations under the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), making the strike impermissible under legal provisions for essential public utility services.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has also been filed in the High Court against the proposed strike, which the JAC has indicated they will address legally.