In a significant development, the Industrial Labour Court has ruled the ongoing strike by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees as illegal. The court has directed the employees to return to work immediately. This ruling comes in the wake of severe disruptions caused by the strike, especially impacting Ganesh festival travel plans for thousands of devotees.

The strike, which began on Tuesday, was initiated by the State Transport (ST) employees who are demanding salary parity with their counterparts in the state government. They seek a pay scale adjustment to align their salaries with those of state sector employees. As of Wednesday morning, the strike has led to the closure of 63 out of 251 ST depots across Maharashtra, significantly hampering transportation services.

The Industrial Labour Court’s decision to declare the strike illegal was issued on Tuesday itself. Despite the ruling, employees have continued their strike, exacerbating the inconvenience for passengers. Many were left stranded at various ST depots, unable to board buses as drivers and conductors refused to resume duties.

The timing of the strike has compounded the issue, with the Ganesh festival approaching. Every year, many devotees from Mumbai and other urban areas travel to their hometowns, particularly in Konkan, to celebrate the festival. The disruption caused by the strike has left numerous families and individuals stranded, struggling to make alternative travel arrangements.

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The court’s ruling underscores the urgency of the situation, especially with the festival just around the corner. However, the continued defiance by the striking employees has highlighted the depth of the discontent within the ST workforce.

This industrial action raises broader concerns about the stability of public transport services and the impact of labor disputes on essential services. As the situation unfolds, it remains crucial for both the MSRTC management and the employees to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the issues at hand.

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