Haryana Roadways unions announce state-wide strike on Nov 5 and 6

Haryana Roadways employee unions have announced a state-wide chakka jam on November 5 and 6 in protest against the non-payment of pending allowances. Union leaders have warned that if their issues are not resolved, the strike could be extended indefinitely.

Meanwhile, bus services in Hisar, Hansi and Sirsa have been severely affected. The protest by employees at the Hisar depot continued for the third consecutive day, causing inconvenience to around 30,000 passengers and resulting in a daily loss of Rs 18 lakh to the department. Fifty e-buses operating in Hisar city also remained off the road. Talks between depot General Manager Rahul Mittal, Traffic Manager Pritam Sivach and the union remained inconclusive.

All 72 buses of the Hansi depot did not operate for the third day as well. Manjit Sorkhi, a member of the Haryana Roadways Sanjhi Sangharsh Committee, stated that employees' bills for overtime, night duty allowances, medical bills, LTC, and travel allowances for 2023-2024 have been pending for a long time.

In Sirsa, more than 100 buses remained off road due to a dharna by the Roadways Karamchari Sanjha Morcha, affecting routes to Delhi, Chandigarh and Gurugram. Morcha leader Chiman Lal Swami stated that the administration had asked for time until December 2, which the employees have rejected. Meanwhile, the Dabwali depot also remained closed due to the employees' agitation.

At the Rohtak depot, employees held a one-hour protest in support of their colleagues in Hisar, Hansi and Sirsa. Roadways Employees Joint Front leader Suresh Nehra warned that if any action is taken against the protesting employees, the gates of the Rohtak depot will also be closed and a strike will be launched.

Haryana Roadways Sirsa General Manager Ajay Dalal said that talks are underway with the employees. He stated that the head office has been written to for the approval of pending bills and all dues of the employees will be cleared within a day or two as soon as the budget is received.

Key developments

• Haryana Roadways unions announce state-wide strike on Nov 5 and 6
• Bus services crippled for the third day in Hisar, Hansi and Sirsa depots
• Demand for release of pending overtime, night allowance, medical bills and LTC
• Local route movement suspended including 50 e-buses in Hisar
• Sirsa General Manager assures release of dues within two days