Karnataka government takes strict action on transport employees, arrests their leader

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government took stern action against the employees on Saturday, who participated in the strike. It dismissed and arrested Kodihalli Chandrashekhar and some trainees who refused to report to work.

The move comes a day after the government invoked provisions of the Karnataka Industrial Disputes Act against the ongoing agitation.

Police arrested the leader of the strike, Kodihalli Chandrashekhar when he reached Belagavi to motivate other employees to continue the strike without fear. He was arrested just before addressing a press conference, before addressing a group of employees.

Besides dismissing 32 trainee staff who did not report to duty, the government also transferred nearly 656 staff including drivers, conductors, controllers, depot managers and technical staff from one division to another. The action was taken to create some fear among the employees to return to work.

As the government took the tough stand, a section of employees started to return to duty. Transport Minister, Laxman Sawadi, said that by Saturday afternoon, nearly 1,400 RTC buses hit the roads. Even though the number is not even 5% of RTC’s total fleet, it indicates some improvement.

Chandrashekhar was elected as the honorary president last year to lead the protest of the RTC employees and negotiate with the government for the implementation of the 6th Pay Commission. He also led a four-day strike in December and was successful in getting a written letter from the Yediyurappa government that it will look positively into the implementation of the 6th Pay Commission recommendation to transport staff.

Police affirmed that Chandrashekar was arrested because he did not have any permission to hold rallies there or participate in the protest.

Labour department intervenes, prohibits indefinite strike by employees

Chandrashekhar said that his detention was illegal. He added, “The government is trying to suppress the strike by using force. But the protest will continue till the demand made by the employees is met.”

As the commuters across the state were facing inconvenience, the state labour department intervened and prohibited the strike with immediate effect.

 Wage demand turned down

Besides refusing to hold talks with the employees, the government has turned down the demand for higher wages due to the financial crisis presently. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said, “When we have said the demand cannot be met, what is the point in holding talks.”

HDK asks BSY to step in

HD Kumaraswamy, JD(S) legislature party chief and former chief minister warned that Yediyurappa will have to pay a hefty price if he neglected these employees. He said, “It’s been four days since the protest started but the Can has made no efforts to bring the staff to the negotiation table. This stand has aggravated the situation besides putting people into hardship. I request the CM to immediately invite protesting staff and resolve their issues.”

In the meantime, deputy CM Laxman Sawadi opposed the Congress support for the strike and asked why the party did not implement the 6th Pay Commission recommendations when it was in power.