Roadways staff strike in support of demands

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 21

Commuters faced a tough time as the state roadways employees observed strike today in support of their long pending demands. The local bus stand wore a deserted look due to the strike. The strike was observed on the call given by Joint Action Committee of Punjab Roadways. Both regular and contractual employees of the roadways participated in the strike.

The roadways staff staged a protest at the bus stand and carried out a rally in support of their demands. Leader of the Punjab Roadways Employees’ Union Makhan Singh said the state government had promised to induct 500 buses in roadways fleet, include debt- free Punbus in Punjab Roadways, implement 6th Pay Commission recommendations and regularise contractual employees on seniority basis. He said that instead of fulfilling its promises, the government was planning to shift Punjab Roadways and Punbus to the corporation.

The union leaders threatened to intensify their protest if the government went ahead with its plan convert roadways into a corporation.

Punjab Roadways Employees’ Union president Satwinder Singh, Government Transport Workers’ Union Manjit Singh Gill, Drivers’ Union president Balbir Singh, Workshop Union leader Kuldip Singh also addressed the protesters.

Private bus operators took full advantage of the strike as commuters had to travel in overloaded private buses.