Employees of Karnataka’s state-run transport corporations have announced a fresh round of protests, escalating pressure on the state government over long-pending wage and service-related demands. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) representing Road Transport Corporation (RTC) workers’ unions has called for a ‘Bengaluru Chalo’ march, with a day-long demonstration planned at Freedom Park on 29 January.
The protest is scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and is expected to draw participation from employees across all four state-owned transport corporations. Ahead of the agitation, the JAC has submitted a formal memorandum to Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, outlining its demands and expressing dissatisfaction with the slow pace of negotiations and the absence of concrete outcomes so far.
The key demand centres on the release of salary arrears that have been pending for nearly 38 months. In addition, unions are seeking a comprehensive wage revision, which they argue should have been implemented from 1 January, 2024. According to union estimates, the cumulative unpaid dues across the four RTCs have reached close to Rs 8,010 crore, placing sustained financial stress on thousands of employees.
Reportedly, union leaders have maintained that repeated discussions with the government have failed to translate into meaningful action. The prolonged delay in revising wages has reportedly affected employees’ ability to manage household expenses, even as they continue to deliver essential public transport services across the state.
Beyond pay-related concerns, the unions are also pressing for an increase in allowances, improved medical facilities for employees and their families, and the regularisation of drivers and technical staff currently working on contract basis. Another major issue relates to the operation of electric buses. The unions have demanded that only permanent corporation drivers be deployed for these services, citing concerns over safety and operational efficiency.
This is not the first time the issue has led to the threat of industrial action. In August last year, the JAC had announced an indefinite strike after talks with the government broke down, though the move was later withdrawn following intervention by the Karnataka High Court. With core demands still unresolved, workers say renewed agitation has become inevitable.
