After initiating an indefinite hunger strike on August 28, Wednesday, Shashank Rao, General Secretary of the BEST Sanyukt Kamgar Kruti Samiti (BSKKS), had to be admitted to KEM Hospital owing to a sudden deterioration in his health. The indefinite strike was being conducted after the five meetings between the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) and the workers' union resulted in nothing.
The unions were trying to ensure that the workers are able to receive their earnings according to a new wage settlement. Earlier, the BSKKS president had indicated that the workers will continue their strike for the next few days, after which they will decide the future course of action of the protest.
The protestors are demanding the merger of BEST budget with that of BMC, hike in salaries and Diwali bonus.