MSRTC Strike Concludes With Rs 6,500 Salary Hike

Employees of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) ended their strike on the evening of 4 September after the state government assured them of a salary hike, union representatives told PTI on Thursday.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde committed to raising the basic salary of MSRTC employees by Rs 6,500 per month, retroactive from April 2020, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

“We are ending our protest as the Chief Minister has guaranteed a salary increase for MSRTC employees,” said Sandeep Shinde, a leader of the Maharashtra ST Kamgar Sanghtana, following discussions with the Chief Minister. 

Another union leader, Shirang Barge, confirmed that Shinde, who also chairs MSRTC, had agreed to the Rs 6,500 hike for workers. The unions initially demanded a Rs 7,000 increase, but State Industries Minister Uday Samant noted that other union demands were also addressed, such as improved toilet facilities for female employees and upgrades to bus depots, including the installation of concrete flooring.

The strike, which began at midnight on 2 September involved nearly 90,000 MSRTC workers pressing for higher wages and parity with state government employees. The resolution brings relief to passengers ahead of the upcoming 10-day Ganesh festival, though some travel delays are expected on Thursday (5 September) as services resume following the late-night settlement.

During the negotiations, Chief Minister Shinde also directed officials to draft plans to enhance rest houses for MSRTC staff and encouraged employees to help boost the corporation’s revenue. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, State Minister Uday Samant, union leaders, and other officials from the MSRTC and state government attended the discussions.