DTC Strike: Notices Warn Employees of Action Over Absenteeism; Contract Workers Set Sept 28 Deadline

This week, notices were posted at several DTC depots, warning employees that departmental action could be taken if they remain absent from duty without permission or a valid reason.

Meanwhile, the contract workers’ union has set a deadline of Monday, saying that if their demands are not addressed, they will launch a “stop-work protest” (kaam bandh andolan) from September 28.

The strike by DTC’s contractual bus drivers, launched on September 15 mainly to demand higher wages, appears to be easing, as union leaders reported that about 60% of buses were back in service by Wednesday.

Union Sets September 28 Strike Deadline

On September 21, the DTC Karamchari Ekta Union wrote to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, cautioning that all DTC contract employees would commence a ‘stop-work protest’ from September 28 unless the government implemented a basic dearness allowance (DA) policy for contract workers.

The union stated that the file had remained with the CM’s office for two years, even though it had received clearance from both the DTC Board and the Finance department.

“Assurances were provided on this matter, but despite a significant amount of time having passed, the file remains unresolved,” the union stated in its letter, noting that memoranda had previously been submitted to the Transport Minister and other officials without any resolution.

DTC Strike Appears To Be Easing

The union’s two demands were the immediate implementation of the basic DA file and the immediate absorption of private drivers currently operating DTC buses onto the DTC’s official payroll.

Notices were posted on Wednesday at several DTC depots across the city, asking all employees to remain on duty on September 25 and 28. The notices stated that departmental action would be taken against any employee found absent.

Since last Friday, DTC has intensified its efforts to resume operations by temporarily redeploying 2,693 contracted drivers across depots. It had also allowed contractual drivers who were currently working as conductors to be assigned as drivers. Union leaders also reported that numerous drivers were taking buses out of depots but refusing to operate on assigned routes or pick up passengers.

Drivers on strike say their daily wage of Rs 862, combined with inadequate working conditions, rising living expenses and stress from worsening traffic congestion, led them to go on strike.

They are demanding a minimum daily wage of Rs 2,000 for equal work, payment for all government holidays, an annual bonus and social security benefits such as a medical scheme.