Another Rao emerges to unite striking labour

In the past two days, he conducted 28 rallies at various depots, besides handling negotiations. RANGA SATWASE, union activist

MUMBAI: On Wednesday, 46-yearold Shashank Rao, who spearheaded the strike that the brought the city’s second-largest mode of transport to a standstill, was hailed as a hero by employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking.

One of the city’s youngest union leaders, Rao, without succumbing to the pressure applied by the management, the civic body and the state , managed to push for employees’ demands despite withdrawal of support by ruling Sena-led labour union.

While the nine-day strike proved Rao’s mettle as a trade union leader, this may not be good news for the city, given that Rao represents unions of municipal and transport workers, apart from that of autorickshaw drivers and hawkers. Next month, for instance, he is planning a strike ballot in the BMC for the wage agreement.

But Rao may just be walking in his father’s footsteps.

The sociology graduate from Mithibai College, Rao is the son of union leader late Sharad Rao, who was known for bringing Mumbai to a standstill with his labour strikes through BMC, BEST and autorickshaw unions. Rao was a follower of George Fernandes, the socialist leader who earned a reputation of shutting down the city through union strikes. Rao was leading most of the unions started or strengthened by Fernandes as the latter turned to politics.

Rao started his career in the hotel industry in 2000 and stayed away from his father’s world of unionism and politics until 2008. He ran a fast food outlet and a catering business in Pune.

But, Shashank said he had an inclination towards labour rights since childhood, owing to the atmosphere at home. “My father wanted me to stay away from politics as it is uncertain,” said Rao. He said after seeing his interest in labour unions and politics, his father allowed him to follow his heart. “A strike is the last resort. I try to find a way out through negotiations,” said Shashank.

In 2010, he got his first major break when he was appointed secretary of the Mumbai autorickshawmen’s union, the biggest autorickshaw union in the city. In December 2010, Rao held his first agitation against the RTO’S decision to introduce yellow rate cards, under the guidance of his father Sharad Rao.

“Shashank has the aggression and energy of his father. He works for 14 hours a day. In the past two days, he conducted 28 rallies at various depots, besides handling negotiations,” said a union activist Ranga Satwase. “From 1939 to 2019, this is the first time BEST Workers’ Union conducted a strike ballot and it is only because of Rao.”

Shankar Salvi, veteran leader of Hind Mazdoor Sabha, said, “Shashank has a lot of energy and is passionate to work. He also has a knack of bringing people together. Like his father, he also has good negotiation skills.”

This was the first major victory for Rao, since being elected as general secretary of BEST workers’ union in 2016, though this was not his first big agitation.