The bugle of struggle has been sounded in support of the struggle of the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Parivahan Chalak Sangathan, Uttar Pradesh Parivahan Shramik Sangathan and Uttar Pradesh Roadways Samvida Karamchari Union, against their exploitation and oppression. The appeal initiated by the above organizations elaborates the miserable working conditions faced by the Uttar Pradesh State Transport workers.

For example, the drivers are made to pay for the maintenance and repair of their buses. Thousands of rupees are taken from the driver to pay for extra fuel usage (no matter how bad the conditions of the roads are), for punctures and other technical problems. Complaint reports are filed against the driver without any substantiation and he is humiliated. The driver is made to work for many days without a holiday, without proper rest, and is held responsible and an enquiry is held for the slightest mistake.

In the name of a decline in ‘load factor’ of the bus due to lesser number of travelers, the conductor of the bus is removed from duty. Their jobs are terminated on account of the smallest of accusations and very often these accusations are false.

There are no limits on the duty hours of the driver and conductor – very often they are made to work non-stop for 24 hours, sometimes 36 and more hours.

A new rule has come into play which will stop the salary of the driver if he fails to cover a distance of 4000 kilometers every month; all this without considering the age or the physical health of the driver.

Further, the U.P State Transport Department has made it a thriving business to extort money from the drivers and conductors in the name of disciplinary action and holding departmental enquiries where they are accused of wrongs they are not guilty of.

With the motive of privatization, jobs of drivers, conductors and technical staff are being given out to those with contacts and to big owners, even though there are enough openings for those looking to work here. Private companies are being outsourced the work to revamp and maintain the buses at very high costs. The land for bus stations has been allotted to big businessmen instead of ensuring that such provisions as rest places and canteens are maintained for the staff. In the name of ‘better facilities’ private money is coming into transport under the pretext of Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The state has announced leasing out of the bus stations and road routes to private bus owners.

The Transport Ministry at the Centre announced on 5th October, 2009, that the U.P Transport Department will be awarded the best transport provider in the country! The department is being given an award for exploiting the drivers, conductors and the technical staff as well as ensuring huge profits.

To fight against this injustice the workers of the U.P transport department have demanded the establishment of a united front of transport workers throughout the state. However, the establishment is trying its best to break the unity of the workers. A front of ‘recognized organizations’ has been established by means of which the workers are being divided against each other.

The Uttar Pradesh Rajya Parivahan Chalak Sangathan, Uttar Pradesh Parivahan Shramik Sangathan and Uttar Pradesh Roadways Samvida Karamchari Union, organized a three day strike on July 14-16 2009. They further announced an indefinite strike when their demands were not being heard.

Going against any divisive ideas that threaten the unity of the workers, they have decided to come together in discussion, whether they are recognized/not recognized organizations, as being part of a larger group of workers; they have given the bold slogan for a united transport workers front.

Mazdoor Ekta Lehar lends its full support to the workers of the U.P Transport Corporation who have come together in full force to struggle against their exploitation and fight for their rights. This is an extremely important struggle in the face of increasing violation of their rights under the privatization, liberalisation and globalisation agenda of the capitalist government.