'26-day work demand will...': Mamata Banerjee govt's BIG move to end SBSTC STRIKE

SBSTC strike:  The contract workers went on strike on September 22 with several demands, including the same pay for the same work as the permanent staff of SBSTC. The strike has affected bus transportation in south Bengal districts, including services to and from Kolkata.

'26-day work demand will...': Mamata Banerjee govt's BIG move to end SBSTC STRIKE

Kolkata: West Bengal government of Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that the '26-day work in a month’ demand put up by the South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) will be met in a bid to end their strike. The announcement was made by state’s Transport Minister Snehasish Chakraborty who also urged the striking contract workers of SBSTC to get back to work immediately.

The striking contract workers said that they will lift the agitation only if they get a written assurance. "I have spoken to the SBSTC management to ensure that you (striking contract workers) get 26 days of work in a month," Chakraborty told reporters at Bagdogra airport in Siliguri.

Urging the striking drivers and their assistants to join work immediately as the unavailability of SBSTC buses during the Durga Puja season is affecting a large number of people in southern West Bengal, the minister said that their demands over leave and holidays will be discussed after Durga Puja.

He said that he will try to solve the issues raised by the striking workers within the parameters of the law. "We want an assurance from the management about meeting our demands before taking a call on withdrawing the agitation," said a leader of the striking workers.

The minister, however, sounded a warning to the strikers that the transport department may contemplate action if the agitation is not withdrawn. The contract workers went on strike on September 22 with several demands, including the same pay for same work as the permanent staff of SBSTC. The strike has affected bus transportation in south Bengal districts, including services to and from Kolkata.