According to sources from Bengaluru the indefinite strike planned by the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) employees’ union from March 22 over several demands, including higher wages and recognition for the union, has been called off following a Karnataka High Court order. Accordingly the court ordered the employees’ union to defer its strike by 30 days and to negotiate with BMRCL.
Meanwhile the corporation had told the High Court that it was ready to hold talks with union members to discuss their demands. Sources added BMRCL officials and union members will now sit together twice a week to work out its differences. Moreover the union had earlier reached an impasse in its negotiations with the BMRCL over its demands and had planned to go on an indefinite strike from March 22. Accordingly a crucial meeting between members of the union and BMRCL officials on Monday failed to reach a consensus between the two parties.
Presently the BMRCL employs 1230 employees in
operations and maintenance with 257 more workers employed on a contract basis. Further
Clifton Rozario, an advocate pointed out that the BMRCL should review its
outlook on all of its workers and not just the union workers going on strike.
