Visitors suffer during MC staff strike

Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, February 21

To support the ongoing chain fast of the MC drivers, the employees of the civic body observed a one-day pen-down strike today. A number of visitors were forced to return without getting their works done.

Members of the Municipal Employees Sangharsh Committee told the authorities that if the demands of the Drivers and Karmachari Union were not fulfilled by Monday, they would also join in their protest from Tuesday.

Chairman of the committee Ashwani Sahota said he would sit on chain fast from Tuesday if the demands of the drivers were not met. “The employees of all four zones observed a pen-down strike to support the demands of the drivers today. We appeal to the government to fulfil their demands at the earliest,” said Sahota. 

The Drivers and Karamchari Union, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, has been on indefinite chain fast to press for their demands. Seven drivers observe fast each day.

“We are demanding regularisation of the contractual and Class IV employees. As many as 81 posts, out of the sanctioned 137 posts of driver, are lying vacant. Besides, there is a dire need to recruit more staff as there are 300 vehicles under the MC,” said the drivers.

A visitor, Karmajit Singh, said: “The staff asked him to come tomorrow. I had no information about the pen-down strike.”