Archive · 18 Aug 2026
BEST Workers Announce Indefinite Strike from August 18
The people who run Mumbai's buses and electricity are called BEST workers.
They are not happy with their jobs.
They say they have not been paid fairly.
They also say retired workers have not received money they are owed.
So they decided to stop working.
This is called a strike.
The strike will start on August 18.
The workers will gather outside their union office in Mumbai.
They want the city government to give BEST more money.
They hope this will fix their problems.
BEST Workers' Union will begin an indefinite strike, described as a hunger strike, from August 18 over long-pending demands.
The protest will start at 11:30 am at the union office at Opera House in Mumbai.
The union demands implementation of pending wage settlements for 2016-2021 and 2021-2026, the 7th Pay Commission recommendations, and pay scales equivalent to BMC employees.
Workers seek equal remuneration for wet-lease workers, rectification of salary discrepancies, and financial provision for BEST in the BMC budget.
The union also demands payment of gratuity and retirement dues to retired employees and implementation of the June 11, 2019 MoU.
- Who
- Employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, represented by the BEST Workers' Union led by General Secretary Shashank Rao.
- What
- An indefinite strike (described as a hunger strike) over unresolved demands related to salaries, pay scales, financial assistance and retirement dues.
- When
- From August 18, with the protest beginning at 11:30 am.
- Where
- Outside the union office at Opera House in Mumbai.
- Why
- To press for resolution of demands including wage settlements, 7th Pay Commission implementation, salary parity with BMC employees and clearing of retirement dues.
- Strike start date
- August 18
- Protest time
- 11:30 am
- Protest location
- Opera House, Mumbai
- Union
- BEST Workers' Union
- Union General Secretary
- Shashank Rao
- Key demands
- Wage settlements for 2016-2021 and 2021-2026, 7th Pay Commission implementation, salary parity with BMC employees
- Employer
- Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST)
- Related body
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
