Mumbai, April 20, 2007 – Employees of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) has called for a 72 hour strike since their demands for pay revision and increase in dearness allowance were turned down by their employers.

The strike has entered second day today putting lot of inconvenience to about 30 lakh commuters who travel daily.

There is likelihood of sorting out this issue.  In this connection, Union leaders and Chairman of BEST Sanjay Potnis would be resuming talks today.

BEST general manager Uttam Khobragade said that he would only talk with the Union if they first call off the strike.

The administration has already issued termination notices to the striking employees -- who number around 35,000 -- and set this evening as the deadline for reporting back to work.

While the administration claimed that some of employees have already returned to the work and a few buses were in operation yesterday, unions are claiming 100 per cent success as per PTI.