Commuters in Mumbai, get ready to face disruption in public transport as BEST employees are on a sudden and indefinite strike from Friday. This strike was announced after the talks between the administration and the union reached no solution. It is the result of a protest by the BEST Sanyukt Kamgar Kruti Samiti (an action committee that represents 12 employee unions. This disruption will impact lakhs of commuters who depend mainly on the BEST services. Here’s everything you must know about this strike.
Mumbai BEST Employees Go On Indefinite Strike
A huge number of Mumbai commuters depend on the BEST services for their daily commute. While some of them directly depend on it to reach the destination, some depend on it for last-mile connectivity to metro stations or railway stations. These people will now have to depend on taxis, auto-rickshaws, or app-based services.
The areas that are likely to be affected are:
- Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC)
- Bandra
- Kurla
- South Mumbai
- Central suburbs
- Eastern suburbs
The BEST strike also coincides with MMRDA’s Public Transport Day event planned at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). Under this initiative, the professionals were encouraged to ditch their private vehicles and use public transport instead on Fridays. The BEST had planned to deploy additional bus services to help in managing commuter movement.
This strike will also affect the operation of premium bus services, including Chalo, across the city. Though Chalo operates independently, it depends on the BEST infrastructure for depot access and charging as well. Chalo spokesperson mentioned that though the morning services went smoothly, the other services might get disrupted, especially from the affected locations.
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Why Are The BEST Employees On Strike?
BEST Employees are protesting as the administration is not fulfilling their demands. The union has raised certain demands, such as:
- Merger of the BEST budget with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) budget
- Better salaries and benefits
- Clearance of pending dues of retired employees
- Permanent jobs for contractual drivers
- Addition of 5,000 BEST-owned buses.
Unione leaders have also raised concerns over pending arrears, working conditions, welfare facilities, and delayed salaries of the employees. They do not support the privatisation of the BEST services.
The BEST Workers’ Union is the largest, and they have decided not to be a part of the protest. The undertaking has issued a circular under the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act, as per BEST general manager Sonia Sethi. It warns the employees that participation in the strike may lead to actions under the law.
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Summing Up
People depending on BEST buses for their daily commute must make sure that they find alternative plans. This is because BEST employees have been on an indefinite strike since Friday morning.
