Mumbai: Sharad Rao calls off 3-day strike after govt intervention

After threatening a three-day long protest by civic and transport services workers, union leader Sharad Rao withdrew his agitation following intervention by the state government.

After threatening a three-day long protest by civic and transport services workers, union leader Sharad Rao withdrew his agitation following intervention by the Maharashtra government.

HT Image

Announcing his decision at his Lower Parel office on Monday, Rao said the state had intervened to resolve the issues.

The three unions led by Rao: Municipal Mazdoor Union (which represents civic workers), Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) workers’ union and Mumbai Autorickshawmen’s union (MAU) had threatened a three-day strike from Tuesday midnight in support of various demands including a steep hike in autorickshaw tariffs.

Other demands made by them included payment of arrears of a pay revision to civic workers and pending bonuses for civic and BEST workers.

While chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had taken a strong stand against Rao initially, it was Rao’s party, the Nationalist Congress Party that helped him settle the issue. Further, intervention by Sachin Ahir, minister of state transport, also helped end the logjam.

“Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has promised to intervene in the issues related to civic and BEST workers. If it still doesn’t resolve after his intervention, Sharad Pawar will speak to the chief minister after June 25. Till then we have decided to differ the decision of the 72-hour agitation,” said Rao.

“The state asked authorities to verify the calculations and formulae proposed by us on the auto fare hike within seven days. If approved, the automen will receive a Re-1 hike on basic fare from Rs15 to Rs16 for 1.5km,” added Rao.

The other demands proposed by Rao’s union are withdrawal of age limit for autos and introduction of six seater taxis, besides a social security board for autorickshaw drivers.