RTC unions to go on indefinite strike from May 20

The Joint Action Committee of the Trade Unions of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (RTC) condemned the “discrimination” towards RTC employees.  | Photo Credit: File photo Despite a wage hike of 12.5% for Road Transport Corporations (RTC) employees, the Joint Action Committee of the Trade Unions of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has said it will go ahead with an indefinite strike from May 20, as planned before. The committee represents seven RTC employee unions.  In a statement issued on Wednesday (May 13), the committee said at a recent meeting with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, it was demanded that the government approve a salary hike of 25% for all RTC employees, with effect from January 1, 2024, for a period of four years. “The Transport Minister said the RTC management’s proposal for a 7% hike was not final and that a decision would be taken after discussing with the Chief Minister. He also assured us that another meeting would be convened with us. But the government has unilaterally gone ahead and announced a wage hike of 12.5%. This is unacceptable,” the statement said.  The committee also pointed out that the State government had already implemented the Seventh Pay Commission for State government employees and hiked their wages by 27.5% four years ago. It condemned the “discrimination” towards RTC employees.  “Because of these circumstances, we appeal to all RTC employees to make the indefinite strike, called from May 20, a success,” the statement said.  Other demands include paying arrears for 26 months, for which the government has released ₹1,272 crore in one tranche, and another 12 months’ arrears immediately.  Published - May 13, 2026 08:37 pm IST