KSRTC is on the verge of another strike demanding salary hike.KSRTC is trying to increase its income so that the suffered loss can be compensated. However, salary hike is being delayed as the difference betwwen profit and loss has become very significant. The management has sought help from the staff to increase the monthly income to Rs 50 cr. They have given promise that salary hike will be implemented before next Onam. The government has clarified that they will not bear the cost of salary hike. Therefore, the corporation has been forced to find a way to increase the income.
Joint trade union of KSRTC has decided to stand firm on the decision to participate on the indefinite strike to be started on January 16th even after obtaining 6% DA. DA was distributed in the corporation after two years. Rs. 2.6 Cr was spent for this. A protest will be staged in every depots on January 14 & 15 prior to the strike.
The indefinite strike was called on 2018 October 2nd. However, the trade union leaders had withdrawn from the protest after settlement talks with ministers T P Ramakrishnan and A K Saseendran.
The KSRTC union leaders have submitted a strike notice to KSRTC. To support the unions in the strike decision, the joint council leaders have also requested the employees not to take any extra duties other than the duties allotted to them.
The corporation is paying the salary to its employees even if it is loan amount. The income can be increased by avoiding unnecessary vacancies and by decreasing the ratio of buses to employees. Daily income will be increased if we ensure maximum efficiency. Employees are standing united with the management. They know that they should not do anything that is going to cost them. However, several things are not clear to them as they are about to go on an indefinite strike. They want to bring down the management even if it is going to affect them in a negative manner. This strike will affect not only the corporation but also the employees as well as the pensioners. Income will be increased if more buses are driven through areas with more passengers. However KSRTC will have to buy new buses for this. Schedule should also be changed. As far as the corporation is considered, only skin-deep treatment is being done. This is insufficient. The system should be completely re-established.