Report received from Shri Paras Kumar, Joint General Secretary, All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA)
(Translation of report in Hindi)
A strong “Rights Proclamation Conference” was organized by All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) at Tatanagar. In the conference, loco running staff pledged to unite and oppose unjust duty practices to protect their health, family life, and operational safety.
Workers said that physical and mental fatigue and resulting health problems and disturbance in family life are pushing them towards the risk of accidents. Despite repeated petitions, no effective steps have been taken by the administration. This pledge to oppose unjust duty practices is not merely symbolic; it is a collective resolution.
Main demands of AILRSA:
- Immediate implementation of duty and rest rules.
- Withdrawal of unjust charge sheets and coercive processes.
- Restoration of dignified and humane work-life balance of Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots.
Message of AILRSA:
“We run the country’s trains non-stop. Now is the time to regain our rightful rest and respect. Our pledge is our discipline, our unity is our strength.”
Hundreds of loco pilots from across the Zone attended the conference and pledged to protect the dignity, rights and humane working conditions of loco running staff.
Objective of the Conference:
To pledge to enforce fundamental rights related to duty hours and rest, opposing continuous violations despite Railway Board guidelines like RBE 143/2016 and RBE 120/2016.
Main Points of the Pledge:
- We will take 46 hours of periodic rest without any compromise.
- We will not accept more than 9 hours of duty under any circumstances.
- We will mandatorily return to headquarters after 36 hours of duty at 4 outstations.
- We will not do more than two consecutive night shifts so that health and family life are not affected.
Leaders of AILRSA said that the time limit on loco pilots’ duty is being constantly violated.