Now, even Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) workers are demanding for a budget merger with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to ensure higher pay scales and Diwali bonus and various other benefits.
In a budget meeting held on Tuesday, November 16, the issue was raised by the BJP members before the BEST committee.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders also warned of a protest from BEST workers if the merger issue was not taken by the Shiv Sena-led panel on urgency.
He said that a few years back, the panel had agreed on the merger, which could drastically reduce losses of the undertaking and benefit 36,000 employees. But nothing happened so far and this is unwarranted.
A similar situation is faced by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) as its workers are protesting to press the demand of merger with the state government.
The strike of more than 84,000 workers entered its 21st day on Wednesday, November 17 as talks with the management remained inconclusive.
The committee will hear grievances of 28 unions over the next few weeks before presenting its report to state chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Meanwhile, more than 2,000 MSRTC employees have been suspended by the transport body. Moreover, due to this strike, the MSRTC has suffered a huge in addition, causing inconvenience to the commuters.
Transport minister and MSRTC chairman Anil Parab has assured police protection for those coming back to work, and also warned of “loss of pay” for those staying away from essential duties.
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