Measures to improve safety on Indian Railways – Protests against the move of the Railway Board

In Para 4 of their said letter, Railway Board have said, “it has been decided by the Board that Supervisors working in all Safety Categories in erstwhile Grade Pay of Rs.4200 and above, should not be office-bearers of a trade union after 31^st March, 2017. However, there is no bar on their being enrolled as members of the union”.

The General Secretaries,

All Affiliated Unions,

Dear Comrades!

Sub: Measures to improve safety on Indian Railways – Protests against the move of the  Railway Board

I hope, by now you must have gone through Railway Board’s letter No.2017/E(LR)III/Ref./RB/1 dated 30.01.2017 on the subject matter.

In Para 4 of their said letter, Railway Board have said, “it has been decided by the Board that Supervisors working in all Safety Categories in erstwhile Grade Pay of Rs.4200 and above, should not be office-bearers of a trade union after 31^st March, 2017. However, there is no bar on their being enrolled as members of the union”.

This letter of the Railway Board is totally against the Trade Union Act as well as ILO Convention 1987, which gives “Right to Organize” to the workers. This is a blatant example of unusual interference of the administration in the union/federations’ affairs and can be treated as unfair labour practice. To safeguard their interest and to defend the Supervisors and the unions/ federations, Railway Board have made the Supervisors scapegoat, which will never be tolerated by the organized unions/federations.

AIRF has already protested against this letter of the Railway Board and asked the Railway Board to withdraw this letter immediately. In the meanwhile all of you are advised to raise your voice against this move of the Railway Board by organizing/holding gate meetings, dharnas, demonstrations etc. etc. at the Branch level on 6^th February, 2017.

You are also advised to send protest email/fax, demanding withdrawal of this letter of the Railway Board to Hon’ble Railway Minister, Shri Suresh Prabhu. A copy of the same should be sent to the Chairman, Railway Board as well as General Secretary AIRF.