Shashank Rao admitted to KEM Hospital amidst indefinite hunger strike against BEST Corporation

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.

Here are some of the employees' demands:

• Immediate implementation of the resolution to merge BEST Corporation's 'C' budget with BMC's 'A' budget
• Employees appointed after April 2007 should get 10 point hike in salaries and wages
• Higher grade pay of ₹7,930 for around 14,000 junior grade employees appointed between 2007 to 2016.
• Pay the bonus from FY 2016/17 to FY 2017/18 similar to BMC employees 
• The staff service accommodation question should be resolved promptly
• Begin Compassionate Ground Appointment on an immediate basis