ST Bus Employees Strike: Union Issues Three-Day Ultimatum, Warns of Statewide Protest if Wage Dues Remain Unpaid

Even though State Transport (ST) employees have received their regular monthly salaries, anger is brewing across Maharashtra over the non-payment of arrears linked to revised wages. The Maharashtra ST Workers Congress has accused the state government of failing to honour its assurance regarding the pending instalments. Warning of strong protests, the union said employees feel cheated despite repeated promises. General Secretary Shrirang Barge stated that if the arrears are not released within three days, the organisation will be forced to launch an aggressive statewide agitation, holding the government responsible for ignoring the financial hardships faced by ST staff.

Every month, the State Transport Corporation requires nearly ₹475 crore to disburse salaries to its workforce. In addition, around ₹58.30 crore is needed to clear the difference arising from wage revisions. During a meeting held on October 13, 2025, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, the government had announced that arrears for the 2020–2024 period would be paid at approximately ₹65 crore per month. However, for the past two months, this promised amount has not been released, triggering dissatisfaction among employees.

On January 20, the corporation formally wrote to the state government seeking ₹116.69 crore to cover arrears for three months. As the funds were not sanctioned, the management decided not to release the increased wage component for the current month. Consequently, employees were paid only their basic salaries, without the long-pending difference. Union leaders argue that this decision has worsened financial stress for workers who were depending on the arrears to manage household expenses, loans, and rising living costs amid ongoing economic pressure.

The union has also highlighted that statutory liabilities worth nearly ₹4,200 crore are already pending against the ST undertaking. In such a scenario, withholding wage arrears is being viewed as a direct insult to employees, the organisation alleged. Shrirang Barge warned that if the government fails to act within the stipulated three-day period, a formal notice will be served and an intense protest will follow. With discontent growing among ST staff, the issue is expected to escalate further in the coming days.