3 auto unions call for strikes from August 29

Commuters will have to keep an eye out for news regarding autorickshaws over the next few days as three different auto unions have planned to go strike between August 29 and 31.

The Swabhiman Sangathana and the Mumbai Autorickshawmen Union (MAU) have called for strikes on August 29 and 31 respectively. They have the same issues, as do the newly-formed Jai Bhagwan Taxi and Rickshaw Sangathana (JBTRS), who, too, have threatened that they would declare the final date of a pending strike on Wednesday. “Our issues are the same, but we have held off the strike as the chief minister had said that he would come up with a solution soon. If a decision is actually taken, we will reconsider the strike and make an announcement accordingly,” said labour union leader Balasaheb Sanap, who is spearheading the negotiations.

JBTRS and MAU have been demanding that private radio cabs such as Uber and Ola be brought under the ambit of the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA). Meanwhile, the Swabhiman Sangathana, headed by Nitesh Rane, has made a variation on the same demand, seeking action against Uber for hiding recent surcharges from customers.

MAU’s Shashank Rao said that his union has also been asking for the state to give more amenities to rickshaw drivers, such as heath or life insurance, and relaxing certain rules.