BEST workers call off bus strike as Thackeray assures salary on time

In a major relief for lakhs of suburban commuters in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport workers on Monday called off their indefinite strike.

The announcement came after a meeting with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence Matoshree, on Monday around 4.15 pm.

According to sources, Thackeray promised to distribute BEST employees' salary before the 10th of every month. He also promised that a decision on the merger of the budget



for BEST and BMC will be taken within couple of months.

Meanwhile, BEST officials said although the strike has been called off, it will take at least few hours for them to resume bus operations depending on the availability of the staff.

Over 3,500 buses of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking went off the roads here after its workers' union went on a strike to press for their demands, including timely payment of salaries.