Auto union threatens strike on August 9

The autorickshaw union has threatened to go on a one- day strike on August 9 if their demands are not fulfilled even after a protest planned at Azad maidan on August 2.

The autorickshaw union has threatened to go on a one- day strike on August 9 if their demands are not fulfilled even after a protest planned at Azad maidan on August 2.

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A federation of taxi, truck, autorickshaw drivers , owners, cleaners and others working in the field of public transport was formed on Tuesday.

The federation has demanded social security for the autorickshaw, truck, taxi drivers, bus, owners and other public transport personnel. They have also demanded that all these workers be granted the status of a public servant.

“These drivers serve society but their job is not rewarded. There should be social security, like a statewide welfare fund for all the personnel in the transport industry in the state,” said Sharad Rao, president of the federation.

The August 9 strike by auto rickshaw drivers will be supported by the entire federation, said Rao.

“We will stage two protest marches—from Dahisar to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Mulund to BKC,” she added.

The union had also demanded that the government use the surcharge amount levied on fuel prices in the last 10 years to create social security fund for the transport personnel.

“The government has been raising fuel prices constantly and also charging a surcharge. We demand that the fund be distributed amongst the transport personnel via some scheme,” said Rao.