Will Bengaluru Metro employees go on strike? Management threatens action

“You have to consider the fact that by participating in the agitation, there will be effect on you and your beloved family members,” the letter said.
Will Bengaluru Metro employees go on strike? Management threatens action
Will Bengaluru Metro employees go on strike? Management threatens action
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As the fourth hearing in the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and Bangalore Metro Rail Employees Union (BMREU) is underway at the Karnataka High Court on Monday, it has come to light that the Metro Rail management tried to dissuade employees from going on a strike. In a letter sent on May 31 to all employees, accessed by TNM, the BMRCL management tried to guilt employees into not striking, and even claimed that it was against the “discipline and desires” of the company.

“It is noticed that employees are supporting the openly called strike. This behavior is against the discipline and desires of the BMRCL,” begins the letter.

The letter was sent even as, anticipating an impasse in this round of the court case as well, the employees union is planning an indefinite strike starting Monday. A final call on the strike will be taken by Monday afternoon.

The letter goes on to say, “BMRCL provided you a chance to have a satisfactory job and a chance to serve the public. You have to respect the rules and regulations of the job and to work to the individual capacity to make it better.”

The hotly contested issue of the salary paid to the employees found a mention in the letter as well, with the management defending its stance on the issue. “As you all know, the salary paid to the BMRCL Employees is better compared to the salaries of the State Government and Private Sector employees. Despite all this, it is unfortunate to go for the strike with the help of external forces.”

While the outcome of the June 4 hearing is still awaited, the management has already threatened action on employees who proceed with the strike. “You have to consider the fact that by participating in the agitation, there will be effect on you and your beloved family members.”

Apart from the letter sent by the management, documents of Draft memorandums and suspension orders have been circulated among members of the Employees Union. The undated memos seem to suggest strict legal action against those who proceed with the protest. TNM cannot independently verify contents of these documents.

Suryanarayana Murthy, Vice-President of the Employees Union, claims that a section of the Union’s members have been forced to sign a letter opposing the strike. “About 20-30 employees were forced to sign this letter, and many of the signatures were either forged or signed by non-permanent employees.” According to him, the counsel representing the BMRCL plans on introducing this letter at the Court hearing.

Meanwhile, the management has already begun backing up in the eventuality of a strike. According to reports, employees from the Kochi Metro have been roped in to help. A spokesperson for the Kochi Metro confirmed the developments, stating that a dozen employees were sent to help Namma Metro operations following a request from the BMRCL.

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