BEST employees launch indefinite strike halting Mumbai's local bus services
Mumbai's local busses have come to a halt as BEST employees kicked off an indefinite strike, demanding better pay and long-overdue changes.
Despite an industrial court order restraining employees from stopping work and the Maharashtra government invoking MESMA, the strike is still going strong, leaving daily travel plans in chaos for millions of commuters.
BEST employees demand pay, retiree dues
The workers want their salaries raised, pending dues cleared for retirees, and job security (no more contract hiring in key roles).
They're also pushing for BEST's budget to be merged with the city corporation and are worried about private companies taking over bus depots.
BEST operates around 2,700 busses, and around 2.5 million people who rely on these rides every day are now stuck finding other ways to get around.