Commuters looking to go to work after a long weekend were in for a rude shock on Tuesday as drivers and conductors of BMTC’s Volvo Division went on a flash strike around 6 am.
While people were waiting for buses at various bus stops around the city, those who went to Majestic saw rows of parked Volvo buses. The striking employees raised slogans and stopped other buses. The issue was finally resolved around 9 am when senior officers rushed to the spot and placated the angry employees.
The employees demanded over-time (OT) salary based solely on their hours of work.
At present, the OT pay is given based on the number of hours. It is dependent on whether a driver is able to complete the stipulated number of trips in the allotted time. While the unions constantly complain that the ‘trip sheets’, which list out targets, are unrealistic due to increased traffic, the drivers claimed that they are being made to work more and paid less.
“In the current system, the general shift of the driver is for 12 hours. If all trips are completed in this time, they are eligible for full over-time pay. Otherwise, a part is reduced based on the number of trips pending at the end of the shift,” said Managing Director Anjum Parvez. They want full over-time pay regardless of trips, he added.
The employees are due to meet senior officials on Wednesday to discuss the issue.
“We will find a solution to the problem,” Parvez said.