Overview
- The BEST Workers Union began an indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. outside its Opera House office at Kennedy Bridge and is broadcasting the protest live.
- Union leaders say the action aims to force implementation of pending wage settlements for 2016–21 and 2021–26 and adoption of Seventh Pay Commission pay recommendations.
- The union is pressing for BEST's budget to be merged into the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation budget and wants urgent financial support to help BEST retain its buses and cover daily operational losses.
- Workers also demand equal pay for wet-lease employees, correction of pay anomalies for staff absorbed into the electricity supply department, immediate payment of gratuity and final settlements to retirees, and implementation of the June 11, 2019 MoU.
- There has been no formal public response from the BMC or BEST management so far, and the union says the strike will continue until its demands are met, a stance that could affect bus services and escalate pressure on city authorities.