The mediation was facilitated by the Bombay High Court, which ensured that the State, BMC, BEST and workers union came together to seek a solution.
After nine long days, the first BEST bus left the depot at 3.50 pm on Wednesday. At 2.30 pm, BEST Workers Union leader Shashank Rao had told workers gathered at Wadala bus depot to call off the strike. The mediation was facilitated by the Bombay High Court, which ensured that the State, BMC, BEST and workers union came together to seek a solution.
All through the four hearings held last week, Chief Justice Naresh Patil reprimanded BEST and BMC for not showing any concern towards its employees. The court was hearing public interest litigation filed by Advocate Datta Mane challenging the strike.
On Wednesday, Judge Patil tried to pacify the employee union — which was unhappy with the 10-step pay hike conceded by the BEST management.
Judge Patil said:, "Start afresh... accept the good gesture of interim pay hike with effect from January and go before the mediator, retired Justice FI Rebello, with your demands and get a comprehensive solution."
Meanwhile, Rao expressed satisfaction with the interim deal. "Starting January 1, every employee's monthly salary will go up by Rs 7,000," said Rao. "No component such as Dearness Allowance, HRA or other incentives will be withdrawn".
Issues such as the merger of the BMC-BEST budget, an introduction of 1,500 buses through wet lease, curtailing of fleet and employees will be now be overseen by Retired Justice FI Rebello. The BEST administration and unions will discuss this over the next three months. All employees served notices under MESMA will also be retained.
While terming the BMC the 'financier' in a lighter vein, Judge Patil said, "The best approach is to ensure that your employees are able to live with dignity." He added that BEST employees feel left out and thus the management should bring them back to the discussion table. The bench also told the employees union, "Strike should have been the last resort. If you would have come with your demands to us, we would have dealt with it with the utmost seriousness. After all, you are a public transport and one of the best in the nation."
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