Punjab Bus Staff Announce 2-Hour Strike Over Pending Salaries; Full Protest Threat Looms If Dues Remain Unpaid

Chandigarh (National Times): An important update for bus commuters in Punjab—employees of Punjab Roadways and PUNBUS have announced a two-hour strike and protest on May 20, from 10 AM to 12 noon. The strike is being held in protest against the non-payment of pending salaries of workshop staff.

On May 15, 2025, a meeting was held between union representatives and top officials including Punjab’s Transport Minister, the State Transport Secretary, the State Transport Director, and the Managing Director of PRTC. During the meeting, all demands were discussed in detail. Officials assured the union that a policy to address the demands had been formulated and sent to the Finance Department for approval.

However, a crucial meeting scheduled with the Finance Department on May 19 was cancelled. A new meeting between the Transport and Personnel departments is now expected later in the afternoon. The union hopes this meeting will clarify the status of the pending policy.

Meanwhile, the previously planned nationwide transport strike for May 20 has been postponed to July 9, 2025, with full support from the union. District-level demonstrations will still be held outside Deputy Commissioners’ offices on May 20.

The union has also temporarily called off protests scheduled for May 20, 21, and 22, citing a positive attitude from the Transport Department and a recent phone call with the Transport Minister and the State Transport Director, where the minister assured accountability.

Despite this, salaries of PUNBUS workshop staff remain unpaid. The union has issued a final warning: if the dues are not cleared by the evening of May 19, a two-hour blockade and protest will be held across all Punjab Roadways and PUNBUS depots on May 20. If the matter still isn’t resolved, all PUNBUS services will be suspended from May 21, and an intensified protest will begin.

This strike is likely to cause inconvenience to passengers across the state. The union has appealed to the government to fulfill their demands without delay.