Major relief for Mumbai commuters: BEST employees end strike after three days following talks with Eknath Shinde

BEST union members held a meeting with deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Sunday night. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Following a crucial meeting between Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, and representatives of the BEST Kruti Samiti on Sunday night, the three-day-long Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) employees' strike was called off.

The meeting with Shinde and Sarnaik was held from 8.15 pm to 10.10 pm, after which union leaders held internal discussions.

"The decision came after the state government agreed to key demands, including a monthly wage hike of Rs 3,000 for permanent employees and Rs 2,000 for wet lease workers, along with the release of pending gratuity payments from the current financial year's budget," BEST union leader Uday Ambonkar confirmed to mid-day.com.

BEST services to resume as unions withdraw strike

Announcing the withdrawal of the strike, BEST Kruti Samiti leader Sachin Ahir appealed to all employees to immediately resume duties, with the first bus expected to return to service shortly.

The committee said discussions on the remaining demands would continue over the next 15 days, while Deputy CM Shinde assured that every effort would be made to improve employee welfare and strengthen BEST financially.