Archive · 21 Jul 2026
BEST Employees Threaten Indefinite Strike Over Wage Demands
Many workers who drive and maintain buses in Mumbai are unhappy because they feel they were not properly consulted about their pay.
They want the government to talk to them again and give them better pay and benefits.
If the government does not listen by August 15, the workers might go on strike, which could make it hard for many people to get to work or school.
The workers also want the same pay as other city employees who do similar jobs.
The government has some time to fix this problem before the workers might stop working.
Thousands of BEST employees and wet lease bus workers threaten an indefinite strike from August 15 if wage demands are not met.
Employees describe the June 21 wage settlement as a 'betrayal' and demand fresh discussions with the BEST Workers' Union.
Key demands include merging BMC budgets, implementing pending wage settlements, and equal pay for wet lease employees.
Wet lease employees argue they perform the same duties as permanent BEST employees but receive lower wages and fewer benefits.
Any strike could disrupt bus services across Mumbai, affecting hundreds of thousands of daily commuters.
- Who
- BEST employees and wet lease bus workers in Mumbai
- What
- Threat of an indefinite strike if wage demands are not met by August 15
- When
- Strike to begin on August 15 if demands are not addressed
- Where
- Mumbai, India
- Why
- To address pending wage demands and improve service conditions
- Employees Involved
- Thousands of BEST employees and wet lease bus workers
- Strike Deadline
- August 15
- Key Demands
- Merger of BMC 'C' Budget with 'A' Budget, implementation of 2016-2021 wage settlement, Seventh Pay Commission benefits, equal pay for wet lease employees
- Union Leader
- Shashank Rao
- Buses Affected
- 3,337 owned buses
- Pending Discussions
- One round completed, another meeting assured