Punjab Roadways, PRTC strike called off after talks; services to resume Friday
PRTC Contractual Employees’ Union state vice-president said 10 employees who were arrested in December and are currently lodged in jail would be released at the earliest
In a major relief for commuters, contract workers of Punjab Roadways and PRTC called off their strike on the second day after Transport Department officials and a delegation of Contractual Employees’ Union reached a compromise during the second round of talks. The union leaders said that the drivers are returning to work and the fleet will be fully operational on Friday morning.
The strike, coupled with the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call by farmers, trade unions, and bank unions against the India-US trade deal and labour laws, had caused severe inconvenience to passengers across the state. PRTC Contractual Employees’ Union state vice-president Harkesh Vicky said the protest was suspended for the time being after the authorities agreed to reinstate staff terminated in November. He added that 10 employees who were arrested in December and are currently lodged in jail would be released at the earliest.
“We are keeping a close watch. If the promises are not honoured, we will resume the strike,” Vicky warned. Passenger transport services had remained paralysed for the second consecutive day as around 8,000 workers from 27 depots across Punjab participated in the strike and stayed away from duty.
Meanwhile, ‘Bharat Bandh’ further added to commuters’ woes, with road blockades and dharnas at several locations in and around Patiala disrupting traffic and daily life.
