KSRTC, BMTC Employees Announce Indefinite Strike from August 5
Bengaluru, July 17, 2025: Commuters in Karnataka are preparing for significant disruptions as workers from four state Road Transport Corporations (RTCs), namely the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC), and North-Western Road Transport Corporation (NWRTC), have declared an open-ended strike scheduled to begin on August 5, 2025. This collective action is a response to the state government's alleged inability to resolve various outstanding issues, which include overdue salary payments, pay scale revisions, and improved working environments.
The Joint Action Committee of Workers’ Unions, comprising over one lakh employees, has taken this step to voice their dissent against the government’s perceived lack of attention to their concerns. They have specifically pointed out in a communication to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that they have not received the 15% pay increase promised in March 2020, with the arrears now spanning 38 months. Additionally, they are seeking a new pay revision to be implemented from January 1, 2024, and the regularization of contract employees in the driver and technical staff categories.
H.V. Ananth Subbarao, President of the KSRTC Staff and Workers’ Federation, expressed the workers' frustration, stating, "Despite numerous meetings and assurances, there has been no substantial follow-up from the government. We are left with no choice but to resort to this strike." The unions' decision underscores their determination to see their long-standing grievances addressed, potentially causing widespread inconvenience for the traveling public in the region.
The RTC employees have listed several demands, including increased staff allowances, improved medical facilities, and timely promotions. The unions have set a deadline of August 4 for the government to respond, warning that failure to meet their demands will lead to a complete halt of bus services across the state. With the four RTCs collectively serving over 35 lakh passengers daily, the strike is expected to cause significant inconvenience, particularly in Bengaluru, where BMTC is a lifeline for public transport
Demand Highlights: Pay hike, Enhanced staff allowances, Better medical facilities and Timely promotions.
Government Urged to Initiate Dialogue to Prevent Strike Before Deadline
The Joint Action Committee has called upon the government to enter into substantial discussions to prevent an impending strike. This appeal comes in the wake of past RTC strikes, such as the one that took place in April 2021, which caused significant disruptions in transport services for an extended period. These disruptions affected a large number of commuters, forcing the government to bring in private operators temporarily to address the situation. With the deadline of August 5 looming, passengers are advised to prepare for alternative travel plans. The Transport Department is yet to release an official statement regarding this developing situation.
Keywords: KSRTC strike, BMTC strike, Karnataka bus strike, August 5 strike, public transport disruption, Karnataka transport news, RTC workers demands, pay revision, bus services Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, Joint Action Committee