Message by Shri KC James, Secretary General, All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA)
Dear Comrades,
Our phase wise agitation demanding to resolve the grievances of Loco Running staff are going on.
The first two programs, the demonstration before all lobbies and the demonstration before DRM offices were held with massive participation.
Out at total 68 Divisions, 52 Divisions held the DRM office demonstration.16 Divisions could not hold them. While analysing the performance of Zonal Railways, it is noticed that the Western Railway is lagging behind. Out of 6 Divisions, only one Division held the demonstration before the DRM office.
Our next program of action is to held demonstration before GM office of all Zones and submitting of memorandum on 18.10.2024.
As a result of our continuous agitation, two Committee were constituted to resolve our grievances especially about duty hours at a stretch and periodical rest besides other demands. While constituting these two committee, the Railway Board directed that report of the committee should be submitted within one month. But even after 3 months have passed, it seems no report were submitted and the Railway Board is now keep mum.
The running allowance rate has to be increased by 25% from 0I. 0I.2024 when DA reached 50%. All the allowances were increased by 25% w.e.f. 0I.0I.2024. Only the increase of running allowance rate has not been increased, in spite of our continuous agitation and representation. The Running Staff are losing their monthly wages from Rs 6,500 to Rs 13,000 on account of this denial.
Though the notification to recruit 18,000 ALP by RRB has been issued, the process is moving with snail space. The LDCE process also not being done as it is warranted. The filling up of vacancies of ALP is very crucial to resolve our demand on duty hrs, PR, OS detention and on night duty.
Necessary information/notice have to be given to GM of our demonstration to be held on 18.10.24, at least before one week.
Already the matter for memorandum were posted in this WhatsApp. Two copies to GM, either mailed or hardcopy and one to CRB by e-mail have to bent.
Necessary posters, Flex and pamphlet must be released by the concerned Zonal Committee immediately.
If any Zone finds it hard to hold the demo before GM Office, it should conduct the same at any other suitable place within their Zone.
Everywhere our people are facing unhealthy and inhuman working conditions. The Running Staff are forced to work unlimited duty hours, any number of night duty, denied with the minimum PR, not granting leave, even sick leave are denied, forcing them to bypass their HQ several time. In such inhuman working conditions, our Comrades of Gandhidham were forced to sit on Fast for 82 hours to persuade the management to resolve the grievances. Such is the position everywhere.
Therefore, all of you should take your full effort to make the demonstration before GM office a massive showdown in order to express our anguish and resentment against the management in order to force the Railway Board to concede our just demands.
With greetings,
K. C. James
Secretary General/AILRSA.