New Delhi / Bengaluru, NFAPost: All India Loco Running Staff Association, one of the prominent loco pilots’ unions in the country, began its 48-hour hunger strike by staff members across India, while continuing to perform their duties, from 10 am on December 2 in protest against the alleged “apathy” of the ministry towards their demands.
Commenting on the Railway Ministry’s apathy, All India Loco Running Staff Association Secretary General K C James said the hunger strike is not a rebellion but a cry for justice and fairness, same time an expression of pain and not defiance.
“The loco running staff have always stood by the Railway administration in every crisis and kept the lifeline of the nation moving even under the toughest conditions. But today, they stand helplessly forced to take this step to make their voice heard. This Association sincerely hopes that the zonal administration will pursue the above-mentioned issues with the Railway Board for a just and fair decision,” said All India Loco Running Staff Association Secretary General K C James.
All India Loco Running Staff Association has already written a letter addressed to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Railway Board Chairman & CEO Satish Kumar on various aspects of their concerns and demanded that the zonal level administration pursue their major issues with the Railway Board for a just and fair decision.
The Union has alleged that loco pilots have been deprived of 16 hours of daily rest, along with the weekly off of 30 hours. Besides this, they have also been “forced to work unlimited hours under the threat of disciplinary actions. It complained that while other staff have to do only two night shifts in a week, loco pilots are booked for four consecutive night duties, against existing norms.
It also highlighted similar work-hour “violations” in assigning outstation duties, alleging that loco pilots are away from their home for more than three days while all other staff return home every day after their 8-hour duty.
All India Loco Running Staff Association President Bhagat pointed out that the “increase” in the workload of loco pilots due to technical and infrastructural advancements, an increase in the number of signals, and the need to constantly deal with human and cattle trespassing, etc.
“Their workload has further increased due to the shifting of duties of train examiners, engineering staff, traffic staff and also the burden of equipment failures. The five-year-long ban on recruitment and the resulting high number of vacancies have exacerbated the problem,” said All India Loco Running Staff Association President Bhagat.
He highlighted the reality that every loco pilot has to work 20% extra because of the vacancies, duly foregoing leave and rest. Loco pilots are under tremendous pressure and unable to address personal and familial needs.
Besides alleging a violation of working norms, it also claimed denial of adequate financial benefits. “The TA (travelling allowance) rates were increased by 25% with effect from 01/01/2024 for all railway employees except the running staff who are driven away from their headquarters all 365 days in a year,” the Union said, demanding 100% income-tax exemption on whatever TA they receive.
All India Loco Running Staff Association Secretary General K C James also pointed out that the denial of transfer on request, citing the reason for vacancies in the cadre, is above 10%.
