PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Uttarakhand Roadways Karmchari Union (URKU), the association of drivers and conductors of Uttarakhand roadways has threatened to boycott work if pending salaries of the employees are not paid. The association said that with salaries unpaid for the last two to three months, drivers and conductors of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation are struggling to meet household expenses. The general secretary of the URKU Ashok Chaudhary said around 6,000 drivers and conductors are employed with UTC and out of them, 1,700 are permanent employees while the rest are on contract.
He said both regular and contractual staff are suffering due to the non-payment of wages. The monthly salary of the contractual employees varies between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000. Chaudhary further said the UTC officials have been approached several times and letters have also been sent. However, no action has been taken. He warned that if salaries are not paid, employees will launch an agitation in which they will boycott their work.
Chauhdary said that a union meeting has been scheduled for Thursday to discuss the issue and decide the next course of action.
