The night before KSRTC staff decided to go on strike, the effects were already being felt. Several BMTC buses were off the roads, causing inconvenience to commuters.
People were seen waiting for buses at the Majestic terminus and Indian Express circle for almost 40 minutes. The government said schools will not be closed and the BMTC chartered services to schools are not likely to be affected.
While Transport Minister R Ashok termed the strike ‘illegal’, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation Federation leaders have decided to go on strike till their demands are met.
The strike has divided the employees as two or three trade unions have distanced themselves and have decided not to participate in the strike.
Trade union leaders claimed that around 23,000 buses will go off the roads and most of the employees will be participating in the strike, which officially begins at 6 am on Thursday.
However, Ashok told Express that there will be no disruption in bus services as a majority of employees are not participating in the indefinite strike.
Addressing a news conference here on Wednesday, Ananthasubba Rao, general secretary, KSTRC Workers Federation and All India Trade Union Congress, said: “There is no question of withdrawing our strike call till the government meets our demands.
The pay hike announced by the government is not acceptable to us. Besides, the decision regarding the pay hike has been taken without consulting the trade unions.
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