Uttarakhand Roadways employees have announced an indefinite work boycott from Friday after talks between the corporation management and the Uttaranchal Roadways Employees Union failed to resolve their demands. The union is seeking equal pay for equal work, regularisation of employees, timely salary payments and increased allowances for contractual and special-category staff.
The meeting was held at the Transport Corporation headquarters on Thursday, with Managing Director Reena Joshi and other officials present. Union general secretary Ashok Chaudhary said no agreement was reached on the key demands, prompting the union to announce the work boycott.
The union had already informed the management about its decision. Chaudhary said employees across depots in the state would raise their demands during the protest. Union state president Kamal Papnai, K.P. Singh and Paramjeet Singh were among those present during the meeting.
Management says demands require government-level talks
General Manager (Operations) Kranti Singh said the management had explained that demands such as regularisation and equal pay for equal work fall under the government’s jurisdiction.
He said the union had been assured that a meeting with the Transport Minister or Transport Secretary would be arranged within the next 15 days. On the demand for dearness allowance, the management said all relevant aspects would be placed before the Roadways Board.
The union, however, decided to proceed with the work boycott after the meeting failed to produce an immediate resolution.
MD directs officials to ensure bus services continue
Meanwhile, Roadways Managing Director Reena Joshi has issued a letter to all regional managers and assistant regional managers, directing them to remain at their respective postings and ensure that bus services are not disrupted under any circumstances.
The MD said an order issued on October 1 had prohibited employees from taking leave without prior approval. She stated that the union’s notification regarding employees remaining on leave was contrary to the corporation’s instructions.
Officials have been directed to try to persuade employees to continue working. The MD also warned that departmental action would be taken if services were disrupted due to drivers or conductors participating in the boycott, or if employees marked present in attendance registers joined the protest.
The letter further warned against obstructing buses at workshops or bus stations. It also referred to financial losses reportedly suffered by the corporation during a work boycott on October 23.
The indefinite protest could affect road transport services across Uttarakhand if employees participate and the dispute remains unresolved.
