BEST Union gives October 31 ultimatum over pending dues and staff demands, threatens protest

Clear the payments immediately or face protests, a letter to BMC chief and the BEST general manager said. Representational Pic/File/iStock

The BEST Workers' Union has issued an ultimatum of October 31 to the management over its pending dues and demands.

In a letter to the BMC chief and the BEST general manager, BEST Workers' Union secretary Shashank Sharad Rao said that the workers who retired after August 1, 2022, are still waiting for their gratuity and other benefits, despite agreements signed under the Productivity Linked Act.

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"Families are in financial distress and there is a need to clear the payments immediately or face protests," the letter said, a copy of which is with mid-day.

Other demands in the list include filling up 3,315 vacant driver and conductor posts to tackle the acute staff shortage, expediting depot relocations where redevelopment is underway, resolving contractual staff issues, and regularising dues.

Additional demands include clearing pending allowances - education aid, medical bills, night duty allowance, 7th Pay Commission arrears, Covid-19 ex-gratia, and more.