More than 35 prominent Pune-based business process outsourcing units might face a severe staff-crunch on May 19, when around 6,000 call centre cab owners and drivers will go on strike.

The drivers and owners are demanding immediate clearance of dues more than Rs 1 crore (Rs 10 million) by various transport vendors appointed by city BPOs. More than 80 per cent of Pune's BPO staffers used company-appointed cabs for transport to and from their workplaces.

Pune city and neighbouring areas have more than 95,000 professionals working with leading BPOs such as Zensar Technologies, IBM, Vcustomer, WNS, Axa, Ventura and Mphasis.

The strike has been called by the Maharashtra Call Centre Drivers' and Owners' Association (MCCDOA), which claims to have the support of more than 70 per cent of the 6,000-odd cars used by Pune's BPOs.

MCCDOA has said that not a single car would ferry BPO staffers on Monday.

Speaking to Business Standard, MCCDOA President Nana Kshirsagar said, "We will stage protests outside the IBM complex in Yerawada on May 19 demanding immediate clearance of dues of car vendors appointed by IBM. Since these vendors are appointed by BPOs, the companies are responsible for timely payments and other issues."

Kshirsagar added that many car owners have not received payments for two to six months.

MCCDOA, however, has not officially communicated its decision to BPOs.

Meanwhile, company officials of all the BPOs confirm that they have made alternative arrangements like hiring mini-buses and private jeeps and cars to ferry their staffers for the day.

Zensar Technologies Managing Director Ganesh Natarajan told Business Standard, "We have already made separate arrangements for May 19 to collect staffers if call drivers go on a strike."

Mphasis has done the same, "We are keeping a close eye on developments and precautions have been taken to ensure our staffers reach office," said an executive.