The Karnataka High Court has issued an order preventing transport unions from going ahead with the planned statewide strike on May 20 by RTC employees. This decision has dealt a significant blow to the organizations behind the proposed protest. The court has also summoned the state government and transport unions for a meeting with the Transport Minister to discuss the matter.
A division bench, comprising Justice Suraj Govindaraj and Justice K. Manmadha Rao, issued the restraining order during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a domestic worker and a construction laborer. The court highlighted that strikes by transport employees are prohibited from January 1 to June 30 under the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Act (KESMA).
The petitioners argued that initiating a strike while conciliation proceedings were ongoing would be unlawful. They pointed out that the unions had given only seven days’ notice for the strike instead of the required 14-day notice period. The plea also emphasized the clash with SSLC (Class 10) supplementary examinations scheduled for the same period and requested measures to avert the strike on May 20 in the interest of students and the public.
Public transport services in Karnataka are at risk of coming to a standstill on May 20 as State Transport Corporation employees have threatened a statewide strike. The unions have set a deadline for the state government to address their demands by the afternoon of May 19; otherwise, services in all four state-run transport corporations will be suspended. Employees are planning a stay-at-home protest by remaining indoors and not reporting for duty.
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) had previously cautioned its employees against participating in the indefinite strike called by the Joint Action Committee of transport workers’ unions from May 20 onwards. State Home Minister G. Parameshwara acknowledged the strike as an attempt to draw government attention and mentioned ongoing discussions with the Chief Minister and Transport Minister to address the situation.
