On Monday, the three-member committee headed by Chief Secretary DK Jain will be submitting its findings to the Bombay High Court after which the union will decide if they want to continue the strike
Mumbaikars will have to opt for crowded trains and high charging auto rickshaws as the strike by Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) workers continues for the seventh day.
While Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray said that the civic body was ready to consider revising wages and merging the budget of BEST with that of the civic body — two main demands of the protesting workers — until Sunday evening there were no talks between the BEST Sayukt Kamgar Kruti Samiti (BSKKS) union, representing the employees, and the BEST administration. He also assured that there would be no job cuts but will not entertain any unreasonable demands.
On Monday, the three-member committee headed by Chief Secretary DK Jain will be submitting its findings to the Bombay High Court after which the union will decide if they want to continue the strike.
On Saturday, the panel conducted two separate meetings with union leaders and the BEST and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration.
On Sunday, only four bus drivers reported to work; while not a single conductor reported. Meanwhile, in order to cater to commuters, the state government has allowed private vehicles to ferry passengers. Around 27 Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses and nine Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) buses are plying. Along with this, the Central and Western railway are operating 16 extra local train services. However, passengers are still hit as the absence of buses means more vehicles on the roads and crowds on the trains.
What are the demands?
- Higher grade pay of ₹7,930 for around 14,000 junior grade employees appointed between 2007 to 2016.
- The unions are also asking for an adjustable ₹8,500 interim relief for every employee, until the wage agreement is signed with the administration.
- The union wants the merger of BEST budget with the budget of BMC, which is the parent body of the century-old undertaking.
While Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray said that the civic body was ready to consider revising wages and merging the budget of BEST with that of the civic body — two main demands of the protesting workers — until Sunday evening there were no talks between the BEST Sayukt Kamgar Kruti Samiti (BSKKS) union, representing the employees, and the BEST administration. He also assured that there would be no job cuts but will not entertain any unreasonable demands.
Also Read: BEST Bus Fares Might Go Up If Employees’ Demands Are Met
On Monday, the three-member committee headed by Chief Secretary DK Jain will be submitting its findings to the Bombay High Court after which the union will decide if they want to continue the strike.
On Saturday, the panel conducted two separate meetings with union leaders and the BEST and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration.
On Sunday, only four bus drivers reported to work; while not a single conductor reported. Meanwhile, in order to cater to commuters, the state government has allowed private vehicles to ferry passengers. Around 27 Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses and nine Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) buses are plying. Along with this, the Central and Western railway are operating 16 extra local train services. However, passengers are still hit as the absence of buses means more vehicles on the roads and crowds on the trains.
What are the demands?
- Higher grade pay of ₹7,930 for around 14,000 junior grade employees appointed between 2007 to 2016.
- The unions are also asking for an adjustable ₹8,500 interim relief for every employee, until the wage agreement is signed with the administration.
- The union wants the merger of BEST budget with the budget of BMC, which is the parent body of the century-old undertaking.