PUNBUS, PRTC contract workers call off strike after written assurance from Pb Govt
Harish Monga
Ferozepur, August 4, 2026: The three-day strike by contract workers of Punjab Roadways PUNBUS and PRTC was called off after the Punjab Government gave the union written assurances on its major demands, said Resham Singh Gill, President.
The Punjab Roadways PUNBUS PRTC Contract Workers Union, Regd. No. 25/11, had launched the three-day strike across all 27 depots and planned a large protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence in Mohali. Following negotiations between the government and the union, a meeting was arranged with the Secretary, Transport Department, Punjab, after which the government issued a written assurance addressing the workers’ demands.
According to union leaders, the government has agreed to implement the PRTC Service Rules, 1981, and regularise eligible PUNBUS and PRTC contract employees. Outsourced employees will also be brought under the policy and engaged on a contract basis during the ongoing session. The issues are scheduled to be discussed in the Board of Directors (BOD) meeting on August 11.
The government has further assured that FIRs registered against employees during various agitations will be withdrawn within one month.
Resham Singh Gill said the strike had been called off following the written agreement with the government, while Harkesh Kumar Vicky said all the issues mentioned in the written letter had been resolved.
Union leader Shamsher Singh Dhillon said demands concerning salary hikes, reinstatement of employees and amendments to service conditions, which fall within the department’s jurisdiction, would be implemented immediately.
He, however, warned that if the pending demands were not resolved at the meeting with the Punjab Transport Minister scheduled for August 14, 2026, the union would again launch an agitation and observe a complete bus strike across Punjab.
Dhillon said the Punjab Government and PUNBUS/PRTC management would be held responsible if the commitments made in writing were not honoured.