Bus services in Punjab hit by contract workers’ strike

The strike, led by drivers and conductors working under the union, will impact approximately 3,000 buses across the state. This widespread disruption is anticipated to cause significant inconvenience to passengers and disrupt daily commuting routines.

Union leaders are blaming the strike on the failure of the government to fulfill its promise of regularising contract workers. Despite assurances made over a year ago, the workers have not been granted permanent employee status, leaving them in a state of uncertainty. Additionally, the employees have voiced grievances regarding delayed salary payments, with an average delay of two months.

Union officials have engaged in several discussions with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the department’s Managing Director, and other officials in recent days to address these issues. But the talks did not beat any results.

Consequently, the employee union has taken the decisive step of initiating a strike, scheduled to take place on June 27th and 28th. As a result, only Volvo buses serving the Delhi route will be operational, and a limited number of long-route buses will ply within Punjab during this period.

This strike action is anticipated to have a significant impact on daily commuters and travelers reliant on the affected bus services. The state government faces a pressing challenge in resolving the impasse with the contract workers to restore normalcy to Punjab’s public transportation system.

Authorities and union representatives continue to engage in dialogue to find a resolution to the ongoing crisis. The public is advised to stay updated with the latest developments and seek alternative means of transportation until the situation is resolved.

We will provide further updates on this matter as it unfolds.