PRTC, PUNBUS Contract Staff Threaten Nov 16 Strikeਪਨਬੱਸ-ਪੀਆਰਟੀਸੀ ਕੱਚੇ ਮੁਲਾਜ਼ਮਾਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ 16 ਨਵੰਬਰ ਤੋਂ ਹੜਤਾਲ ਦੀ ਚਿਤਾਵਨੀ

Contractual and outsourced workers of Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC held gate rallies at bus depots across Punjab on Tuesday and warned of a statewide strike from November 16 if the government does not settle their long-pending demands.

The Punjab Roadways PUNBUS/PRTC Contract Workers Union (25/11) also threatened to gherao the residences of the chief minister and the transport minister, The Times of India and The Tribune reported.

What are the workers demanding?

The union wants all outsourced employees brought directly under the departments on a contractual basis under the Act of August 14, and long-serving PUNBUS contract staff regularised under service rules framed on the pattern of PRTC. It also seeks withdrawal of cases registered during earlier protests and reinstatement of staff it says were terminated on unjustified grounds.

Why are they angry with the government?

Union leaders said around 65 to 70 meetings have been held with the AAP-led government, but assurances have not turned into decisions. They said some PUNBUS workers have served on contract for about 12 years. The Tribune reported that offer letters handed out by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to outsourced workers on October 26 have not led to actual contractual appointments, with no employee regularised so far. Speakers at Patiala called the offer letters a sham, according to The Times of India.

What will the strike look like?

Punjabi Jagran and Bhaskar reported that the workers have warned of stopping work on November 16, 17 and 18, and that the strike could continue if demands are not met. ETV Bharat reported the union plans a large rally in Dirba, the chief minister's constituency, on November 16, followed by a three-day chakka jam. The workers also said they will not send buses to government rallies.

Has this happened before?

Contract staff of PRTC and PUNBUS have struck before. Babushahi reported an October 21 strike that kept around 1,700 buses off the road, and that talks with Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema ended without agreement because the union wanted written assurance.

Who runs Punjab's bus services?

PUNBUS and PRTC are state-run bus services, and regular staff run only part of the fleet, so a contract-staff strike can leave many routes uncovered. The government had not announced a fresh round of talks in the reports reviewed.

When could the bus strike start?

From November 16, with work stoppage warned for November 16 to 18, if demands are not met.

What is the union called?

The Punjab Roadways PUNBUS/PRTC Contract Workers Union (25/11).

What do the workers want?

Direct departmental contracts for outsourced staff, regularisation of long-serving PUNBUS contract staff, and withdrawal of cases filed during earlier protests.