Bus strike in Karnataka called off as government blinks

Regular commuters and stranded bus passengers in Karnataka can finally heave a sigh of relief.

The indefinite bus strike launched by the road transport corporation workers on December 11, pushing the state into jeopardy, was called off on Monday evening after the government offered to meet at least nine out of the 10 demands made by the workers' union.

The government buses going off the roads caused immense suffering to the common man, especially the students and patients seeking treatment in the cities.

Around 1.30 lakh employees of the four state corporations—KSRTC, Bengaluru Metropolitian Transport Corporation (BMTC), North-East Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation—launched the agitation demanding that they be considered as government employees. They also demanded compensation of Rs 30 lakh for those who died during COVID-19 duty, rectification of disparity in the wages, protection from harassment from senior officials, and implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission.

Transport Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Lakshman Savadi, in his appeal to the striking unions, had reminded that the transport corporations had suffered a revenue loss of Rs 3,000 crore due to COVID-19 and it was difficult to meet the demands with huge financial implications.

"While some states have cut 25 per cent of the employee salaries, the Karnataka government had paid full salary to transport workers. The protesting employees should immediately report to work as people are suffering due to bus strike. All issues will be sorted after holding detailed discussion with recognised unions as no decision can be taken abruptly as they have huge financial implications," Savadi had said.

On Monday evening, the bus strike was called off after the government held marathon meetings with the transport union leaders and finally agreed to meet most of the demands.

While the demands were nothing unusual, the political tone of the protests undoubtedly led to a long stand-off between the government and the union leaders.

The day the transport workers announced the strike, farmer leader Kodihalli Chandrashekhar, president of Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha and Hasiru Sene, who had been protesting against the central farm bills, suddenly decided to lead the transport agitation, too.

What irked the Yediyurappa cabinet members was that Kodihalli was elected the honorary president of the transport union within two days after he joined the protest. The presence of Congress leaders like Sachin Meega of Kisan Sangh, along with Kodihalli, lead to suspicion that the agitation was politically motivated.

Senior Congress leaders, too, extended support to the agitation, and sympathised with the transport workers. KPCC chief D.K. Shivakumar addressed a gathering at Banashankari bus stand and lauded the drivers and conductors for their service during the COVID-19 pandemic and slammed the government for turning a blind eye to their demands. Leader of the opposition Siddaramaiah, who met the transport workers in Bagalkot, dialed Savadi from the public meeting, advising the minister to immediately meet the striking workers.

High drama unfolded on Sunday evening after a delegation of eight union leaders, who attended the meeting convened by the chief minister at Vikasa Soudha (secretariat), said the talks with the government had been "positive". But once they reached the protest venue at Freedom Park, they announced they would continue the hunger strike till all their demands were met.

Savadi, who was hopeful of an early resolution, blamed the "hidden hands" for the deadlock. He refused to invite Kodihalli for the discussions, stating he was an "outsider" who had nothing to do with the transport department.

Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai hinted at invoking Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to "discipline" the unruly employees. Health Minister Dr K. Sudhakar and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Ashwath Narayan joined the chorus in asking Kodihalli to stop "instigating" the workers and alleged the selfishness of some leaders was causing hardships to the common man.  

The transport minister was under pressure to restore the bus services as many buses forced out of depots suffered damages due to stone pelting and he planned to rope in private bus operators.

A midnight operation finally yielded the desired result. While BJP's Vokkaliga leaders—Revenue minister R. Ashok, CM's political secretary S.R. Vishwanath and BMTC chairman Nandeesh Reddy—wooed the caste leaders in the unions, Deputy Chief Minister and dalit leader Govind Karjol came on board to hold talks with the SC/ST wing of the transport unions, which agreed to withdraw support to the strike and resume duty.

On Monday, the government managed to ply 10 per cent of the total fleet till evening and promised that the bus service would be fully restored soon.

To break the deadlock, the state government agreed to give the assurances in writing as demanded by the union leaders. When the government envoys reached the Freedom Park and handed over the letter, the protesting workers were divided over continuing the protest. The government assured the striking workers of health cover, better and safe working conditions, enhanced batta, and perhaps a revised pay after examining the financial implications of implementing the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations. However, a decision on their demand to consider all the transport workers' as government employees was put on hold pending deliberations with the workers' unions.

While some seemed satisfied with the outcome, some were reluctant to give up the fight till they get the government pay scale.

The union leaders finally agreed to end the strike with a promise to pursue the demands with the government.