Zonal  Commercial Staff Conference 2019 held at Mumbai on 9-8-2019

The  Zonal Conference of Commercial Staff   was organized by NRMU (CR/KR)  on 9-8-2019  at Yeshwant Natya  Mandir,  Matunga Road, Mumbai.

Com. Shivgopal Mishra GS/AIRF was the chief guest. Com. Venu P. Nair GS/NRMU welcomed the  chief guest by offering him a  flower bouquet and shawl. Other guest of Honour were Com. J.R. Bhosle, GS/WREU & Treasurer of AIRF. Com. P.J.Shinde President was on chair and Com. Kamakshi AGS and Com. Arthika ITF Asia pacific Youth Coordinator was also on the dias. All the dignitaries including GS Com. Venu P. Nair was honoured with flower bouquet and shawl. A beautifully engraved momento was offered to Com. Shivgopal Mishra GS/AIRF in his honour by Com. Kumar Pillai, Com. Sudhir Mhaske and his entire team.

Com. Swati Mhatre VP/MB Divn. delivered the introductory speech and welcomed all the chief guests and Commercial staff who came from all over C.Rly. of KRCL to participate in the Conference. She said that the conference is not only for discussing and highlighting the issues of Commercial Dept. but also to celebrate NRMU’s landslide victory in the recently held ECC Society’s election. NRMU created history by winning all 80/80 seats  in Mumbai Division. Commercial staff is proud of this achievement because we all participated in the canvassing. She thanked Com. Venu P. Nair for his wholehearted support to the cadre. Com. Mansi also spoken on the occasion. She spoke at length about the issues of the commercial  cadre.

Visual digital display of various segments of the Conference including the list of departed souls to whom homage was given, the past humanitarian aids rendered by NRMU(CR/KR) to the distressed citizens across the country, the thematic representation  of the generosity inculcated by the General Secretary among the Cadre, the spirit of national pride and sense of kindness developed  among the cadre and which was ended with a creative rendering of National anthem. Stage performances given by various talented artists from the Commercial Cadre was the highlight of the programme. The beautiful rendering of classical songs by Mrs. Archana from Bhusaval  and mimicry played by Com. Sandeep Gaikwad has enthralled the audience. The theatrical stage presentation of contemporary issues and bad plight of Commercial Staff was well accepted by the thousands of staff present there in the conference with thunderous applause.

While addressing the staff Com. Shivgopal Mishra GS/AIRF has complimented Com. Venu P. Nair GS/NRMU (CR/KR) for his untiring efforts to organize the youth and women workforce of Railways and to maintain the undisputed consolidated strength of Union with his unparalleled organizing skill, gaining full trust and their confidence.

He further appreciated and complimented NRMU (CR/KR) and the  Commercial Cadre of C.Rly. for their stiff resistance made against the proposal of Railway Board for merging of the 3 cadres of Commercial Department. He explained that the serious resistance movement evolved in Central Railway against arbitrary decision of Railway Board was the key factor that prompted other zones and Federation to fight against  it and to review the proposal. He also evoked the struggle and protest  always been done by NRMU (CR/KR)  against the policies of Railway Board for privatization and outsourcing the Commercial activities since last 20 years. He also spoken about the issue of Ticket checking cadre, Coaching and ECRC Cadre and the necessity of improving their working conditions to  serve the customers satisfactorily. He also assured that AIRF will strive its best to safeguard the identity of the Commercial Cadre amidst various threats thrown upon by the  retrograde policies of Government and the  fear psychosis  created  among the cadre with enforced involvement of Vigilance department. He also stressed upon the relevance of female staff to lead the resistance movement formulated by Unions and  their assistance is sought to consolidate the  trust and confidence of the Railwaymen at different work units to the fold of NRMU/AIRF.

While addressing the enthusiastic audience Com. Venu P. Nair  GS called upon all the staff arrived to attend the Conference to maintain the tempo of its strength  and solidarity to fulfill the vision of Union to make it “One Industry One Union”.  He reiterated his confident position and strength to stop the movement of  wheels of trains  just on a call awaiting from AIRF.

Com. Arthika the Youth Coordinator of ITF (Asia Pacific region) have also addressed the participants and complimented them for their show of strength in the Conference. She expressed her delight  with the presence of  majority of  the youth and female staff in the conference and exhorted them to continue their involvement in  Trade Union Movement as a vibrant Union only will be able to  protect the interest of workers in the present scenario. She assured that ITF wherein the transport workers of about 75 countries  around the world  are members will  support  AIRF and all  their affiliated  Unions in their fight against the privatization of Indian Railways. She has given special mention to Com. Venu P. Nair for his dynamic spirit and the zeal being shown to organize the Youths in to the fold of NRMU providing adequate assignments in key posts to discharge their responsibility true to the spirit of trade unionism.

In the intervening  session tributaries were given to Chhatrapathi Shivaj Maharaj and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar by   garlanding their statues and the glittering ceremony was made impressive with lighting of traditional lamps by Com. J.R. Bhosle, GS/WREU. The media cell coordinator of AIRF Com. Manoj Shrivastav was also felicitated in the programme.

The Conference was concluded with vote of thanks delivered by Com. P.J. Shinde President of the Union.