Mumbai: BEST bus strike on Raksha Bandhan day angers commuters

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Mumbaikars will have to face problems commuting on 'Raksha Bandhan' as the local public transport division BEST Workers' Union is on a strike from today, Monday, to press their wage-related demands.

The BEST Workers' Union on Sunday threatened to go on a strike starting midnight of August 6, if the Mumbai Corporation did not render a written acceptance of their demands.

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"It is the responsibility of the Mahanagara Palike to give us a written acceptance of our demands. We are fighting for our rights. We work day and night; we must be entitled to our salary. We will protest if a written acceptance is not given to us," BEST Workers' Union General Secretary Shashank Rao told ANI.

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"We are a force of 36,000 workers who are backing this strike. We have been in talks for three months, but there has been no proactive solution to our problems. We will demand what is rightfully ours," he added.

Also read - Mumbai: BEST workers seek written assurance for timely salaries

All the nine unions of 36,000 employees have supported the decision.

Also read: BEST staff to go on strike if salaries are not paid by March 16

Earlier today, the union had a meeting with the Mumbai Mayor, who assured them of accepting their key demand of salaries being paid by the 10th of every month.

However, the union is adamant to get their demands accepted in writing.