Nagpur: The employees of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC ) on late Friday night called off their indefinite strike after the Bombay High Court termed the strike “illegal.” All state bus services are expected to resume by Saturday morning. The decision was taken during an MSRTC Core Committee meeting late night.
Over one lakh employees of MSRTC went on indefinite strike from Tuesday, Dhanteras day demanding 25 per cent pay hike and implementation of 7th Pay Commission.
The Bombay High Court, on Friday, had called the strike “illegal” and directed the striking MSRTC employees to resume work immediately. Justice S K Shinde also directed the committee, set up by the state government, to look into the employees’ issues, and submit an interim report by November 15 and the final report on December 21. “The strike is illegal and they (MSRTC staff) are directed to resume work with immediate effect,” the court said. “The government cannot remain a mute spectator on the strike. This is affecting the public at large, especially during the festive season,” it added.
The State Government had agreed to an interim hike of 10 per cent, but MSRTC demanded a 25 per cent hike. Lakhs of passengers were affected by the strike as nearly 17000 buses went off roads.
