Bengaluru, May 19: The Karnataka High Court issued an order on Tuesday, preventing transport unions from proceeding with a proposed statewide strike by RTC employees set for May 20. This decision is a significant setback for the organizations that called for this protest.
The High Court also issued notices to the state government and the transport unions, directing them to convene a meeting with the transport minister.
A division bench comprising Justice Suraj Govindaraj and Justice K. Manjunatha Rao passed this order. The bench instructed the transport unions not to advance the strike and advised the government to engage in discussions with the unions to resolve the issues amicably.
The court’s order to halt the strike came during a hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a domestic worker and a construction laborer, challenging the proposed strike by transport employees.
During the hearing, it was brought to the court’s attention that under the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Act, a ban on transport employees’ strikes is in effect from January 1 to June 30.
The court was also informed that a conciliation process initiated by the labor commissioner on July 18, 2025, is still ongoing, with the next hearing scheduled for May 25.
The petitioners argued that initiating a strike while conciliation proceedings are underway would be illegal. They also noted that the unions had issued only a seven-day notice instead of the mandatory 14-day notice required for a strike.
Additionally, the petition highlighted that supplementary examinations for SSLC (Class 10) are scheduled during this period, and a request was made to prevent the strike on May 20 in the interest of students and the general public.
Following the hearing, the High Court issued an interim order to halt the strike.
Previously, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation had warned its employees not to participate in the indefinite strike called by the joint action committee of transport unions starting May 20. In response to the proposed strike, the state’s Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated that the strike was called to draw the government’s attention to the issues at hand.
He mentioned that both the Chief Minister and the Transport Minister are addressing the matter. He also noted that they agreed not to hold protests with black flags. After May 20, if the unions wish, the Chief Minister will meet with them.
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