The ‘Bengaluru Chalo’ protest was called by the Joint Action Committee of State Transport Corporation Unions to draw attention to what the union described as prolonged neglect of wage and service issues involving employees of the four state transport undertakings. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The proposed ‘Bengaluru Chalo’ protest by transport union workers has been postponed to January 30 following the death of veteran union leader HV Anantha Subbarao on Wednesday. The protest was planned for Thursday.
Mr. Rao, a prominent figure in the labor movement with more than six decades of experience in organizing transport and public sector workers, was closely associated with the union’s Joint Action Committee, which called the protest.
Requirements
The ‘Bengaluru Chalo’ protest was called by the Joint Action Committee of State Transport Corporation Unions to draw attention to what the union described as prolonged neglect of wage and service issues involving employees of the four state transport undertakings.
Central to the demands was the non-payment of 38 months’ salary arrears as a result of a delayed wage review that was due from 1 January 2020 but was not implemented until 1 March 2023. Union representatives argued that the delay had caused significant financial hardship to employees, particularly drivers and conductors, who continued to work during the pandemic and its wages without a review.
Settlement of wages
In addition to the arrears, unions have pressed for a new four-year pay settlement from January 1, 2024, which they say is long overdue. They also raised concerns about stagnant service conditions, increasing workloads, staff shortages and what they described as a lack of meaningful dialogue with government on structural issues facing transport corporations.
Published – 29 Jan 2026 0:57 IST
