Anti-labour steps of the Railway Board (Ministry of Railways)

Anti-labour steps of the Railway Board (Ministry of Railways)

No.AIRF/24(C)

Dated: March 7, 2017

The General Secretaries,
All Affiliated Unions

Dear Comrades!
Sub: Anti-labour steps of the Railway Board (Ministry of Railways)

In the DC/JCM Meeting, held today with the Railway Board, AIRF strongly lodged its protest against anti-labour steps of the Railway Board(Ministry of Railways) in general and encroachment on trade union rights by way of issuing orders dated 30.01.2017, in particular, debarring the Supervisory Staff, belonging to Safety Category, working in Grade Pay of Rs.4200 and above from becoming officebearers of the railway unions.

General Secretary AIRF, while expressing his anguish on the attitude of the Ministry of Railways, also pointed out that, despite already arrived at agreements on the following issues, Railway Board have failed to issue instructions for implementation thereof despite lapse of substantial period of time:-

(i) Upgradation of apex level Group 'C' staff to Group 'B' Gazetted.
(ii) Placement of the Supervisors in the erstwhile Grade Pay of Rs.4800 in place of GP Rs.4600 .
(iii) Non-implementation of the agreed structure of the Trackmen in the ratio of 10:20:20:50 and
their promotional avenue.
(iv) Stepping-up of pay of the Loco Inspectors.
(v) Issues related to Running Staff, already agreed upon in the Fast Track Committee.
(vi) For financial upgradation under MACPS and regular promotions, existing Benchmark(prior to VII CPC) should continue.
(vi) Regularization of Course Completed Act Apprentices, trained in Railway Establishments, in the Railways, etc. etc.

General Secretary, while expressing serious discontentment over these issues specifically, mentioned that, Ministry of Railways is directly interfering in the functioning of the trade union by issuing dictatorial instructions, which AIRF and the entire Staff Side is not going to tolerate, and that is why, meeting of the DC/JCM is bycotted.

Pursuant to the above, it has been jointly decided by both the recognized federations to launch undernoted agitational programme all over the Indian Railways:-

(a) 16th March, 2017 - Mass agitations, dharnas, demonstrations at the Branch and Depot levels.
(b) 23rd March, 2017 - Mass agitations by holding dharnas, demonstrations, rallies at the Divisional level.
(c) 30th March, 2017 - Massive demonstrations at the Zonal Headquarters, wherein memorandum addressed to Minister of Railways be handed over to the respective GMs, mentioning therein that, if no corrective action is taken by the Ministry of Railways, organized labour shall be at liberty to go for direct action, entire responsibility of which shall squarely rest with the Railway administration.

All of you are requested to take appropriate action accordingly, and report of the same may be forwarded to AIRF for better appreciation.
With Good Wishes of Holi!

Comradely yours,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary

Source: AIRF