Editorial 2nd Quarter 2023
FIRE MAGAZINE, THE MOUTH PIECE OF A I L R S A
EDITORIAL, MAY 2023
Chief Editor Thota Hanumaiah
VICTORY DAY
CELEBRATE THE GOLDEN JUBILEE VICTORY DAY
OF AUGUST 1973 STRIKE ON 13th AUGUST 2023
THE DAY ON WHICH A HISTORICAL AGREEMENT WAS
REACHED BETWEEN AILRSA AND GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Back Ground
The working conditions of firemen in the Steam Traction, were as precarious as that of the working conditions of bonded labour system. Against the then prevailing inhuman conditions of work, a determined move was spear headed by comrades Pal David Sam, P.C Angel, Sounder Pandian, Ramakrishnan, and others to organise the firemen of Madurai division into a collective body of Trade Union and it was materialised in the formation of Firemen Council on 30-10-1966, wherein Comrades Pal David Sam and S. Ramakrishnan were elected as President and Secretary, respectively. This movement spread to other divisions of southern Railway. As a follow up, the Trichy division also formed the Firemen Council, and comrade M.R. Sabapathy was elected as Divisional Secretary in absentia and he shouldered the responsibility of Divisional Secretary without any hesitation and functioned with total devotion. The firemen Council drew a charter of demands and submitted to the ministry of railways for redressal. Thereafter, several attempts were made to get the grievances and demands redressed, amicably, but to no avail. On the other hand, the working conditions were deteriorating with unabated harassment of unjust penalisation. Therefore, the Firemen Council resorted to direct action of ‘mass sick agitation’ from 23-07-1967 to 03-08-1967, resulting in cancellation of several train services from south to Madras. The issue was agitated by M Ps namely comrade K. Anandan Nambiar and others in the parliament leading to the assurance of Railway Minister Sri C.M. Poonah that the demands would be settled at the earliest and the agitation was called off on the assurances of minister. But the railway ministry, instead of settling the demands, had resorted to victimisation of the leaders and cadre of Firemen Council by way of removal from service of 14 members and other penal measures. The Firemen Council being furious at the ministry’s backing out of assurances and further, resorting to victimisation, took a formal decision of resorting to mass sick agitation, from 5/6-07-1968.
By that time the South-Central Railway Firemen Council was well established which was organised by Comrade Y. Sundara Murthy along with Comrades T. Hanumaiah, K. Subrahmanyam. D. Hanumantha Rao, A Y Pandurao, G.Ratnam, M.Ramakrishnaiah, Ch.Narayanarao, G.BhusaRao M. Prasadarao, S.V.Rao, Allavalli, CH.Krishna Raju. ManchalaKrishna. U.V.Rao, NandamJohn, Ghouse peeran, VijayamohanaRao of BZA division and CH. Narasimha, P.Devadanam.P, K.D. John, V.J.John, Syed Murthuja, Rajanna, Butchaiah of SC division was in full swing of agitations for crew relief after 12 hours duty from signing ON to signing OFF by resorting to stabling of trains, dropping the fire of steam engines, if relief was not arranged, claiming compulsory periodic rest (weekly rest),full & adequate rest at headquarters and out station, pilot crew accommodation, improved facilities conducive for taking proper rest in running rooms, sanctioning of required leave to the extent of leave reserve, seniority based promotional trainings instead of pick and choose policy, increase of sanctioned strength of running staff categories and filling up of all vacancies etc., facing large scale penal measures of victimisation.
The Firemen Council of South Central Railway was organising its first zonal conference at Bitragunta a major steam shed station of Vijayawada division on 17th & 18th of June, 1968, addressed by the distinguished guests comrades Mathai Manjuran Labour minister, Government of Kerala, K. Anandan Nambiar, MP(CPIM),Shri Vavilala Gopala Krishnaiah, MLA Andhra Pradesh besides comrade Y.Sundaramurthy, president of Firemen council, S C Railway, comrade Pal David Sam, president, Firemen Council, Southern Railway and other prominent Trade Union leaders. During proceedings of conference, a proposal of strike was mooted by the delegation of F M Council, Southern Railway, stating that they had already decided to launch the strike in July,1968, against non-implementation of assurances and victimisation of 1967 firemen strike in southern Railway and wanted to make it a joint strike organised by SCR & SR Firemen Councils together for a greater strength to achieve the demands and to get the victimisation, vacated. After a detailed discussion, the conference in a democratic way, by a majority vote, had decided for joint strike, even though the time was too short to prepare for agitation as the date fixed for strike was 5/6-07-1968, leaving hardly a 15 days time for commencing the strike. A joint action committee was constituted with comrade Y. Sundara Murthy as chairman and 2 members from each railway viz; comrades Pal David Sam & M R Sabapathy from southern Railway and comrades Ch. Krishna Raju & T. Hanumaiah from South Central Railway. Running Staff.
DEMANDS:
* 8 hours duty.
* Equal pay for Equal work, for B & A grade Shunters and B & A grade Fire men.
* Regular periodic Rest.
* Vacation of Victimisation.
* Implementation of past assurances.
*Pay and grade protection of medically decategorized Running Staff.
* Payment of over time allowance on weekly averaging basis.
* Restore Calculation of D A on pay plus 75% of pay Element in Running Allowances. etc.,
The strike was launched from mid night of 5/6-07-1968 had paralysed the train services between south and rest of the country. Comrade K Ananda Nambiar, M.P was chosen as spokesperson of joint action committee. He represented the matter to the Prime minister Smt. Indira Gandhi and the railway minister shri C.M. Poonacha. The Prime minister sought the help of 4 Chief Ministers of southern states to resolve the matter. The Chief Ministers of Kerala state, Comrade EMS Namboodiripad, Madras state Thiru C N Annadurai, Karnataka state Shri Veerendra Patil and Andhra Pradesh state Shri Kasu Brahmananda Reddy had conferred on the issue of resolving the strike. To resolve the Firemen strike, the chief ministers of Madras and Kerala Thiru C N Annadurai and E M S Namboodiripad had discussions with comrade K. Anandan Nambiar, MP, spokesperson of Joint Action Committee and the president of Dakshina Railway Employees Union. Later, all the four Chief ministers had discussions and wanted the central government to arrive at an early settlement of the Firemen strike. They chose Shri EMS Namboodiripad for conveying this decision and to be in touch with the Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi and the minister of state for railways Mr. Parimal Ghosh, in this regard.
After a protracted negotiation between the Firemen Council representatives of Joint Action Committee lead by com K. Anandan Nambiar and the Government of India in the ministry of railways lead by Mr. Parimal Ghosh, minister of state for railways, a written assurance dated 17-07-1968 has emerged, to call off the strike. The joint action committee, upon consideration of the written assurance and the prevailing situation had decided to call off the strike. Accordingly, the strike was called off with effect from 19-07-1968. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LETTER OF ASSURANCE
No. E(L)68 ST 1-43 Minister of state for railways,
India,
New Delhi.
17thJuly,1968. Dear sri Anandan Nambiar,
Your letter dated 13th July,1968 addressed to the prime minister has been forwarded to me and I have been asked to send you a reply there to.
I had already informed you in my letter dated 9-7-68 in reply to yours of the same date that the question of working hours of running staff had already been raised by the two recognised labour federations and that the matter is under active consideration. You must be aware also that decision has since been arrived at, with the two federations that, pending further review, the total duty hours of running staff at a stretch would be limited to 14 hours. I can further state that the review will be done at an early date. In regard to the few cases of disciplinary action against certain employees which had been mentioned by you in your letter of 9-7-68 and are completely unconnected with the agitation of July 1967, I have already agreed that I would be looking in to them.
In your letter to the Prime Minister, you have brought up the question of calculating over time of running staff on weekly basis. This is the point, which has also been raised by the Federations and I am prepared to examine this point.
As all the points raised by you have already been considered I feel there is no justification for further continuance of strike. I would be happy to see it end; Government never victimise their employees and the question of victimisation therefore does not arise. I assure that every case will receive our utmost consideration.
Yours sincerely,
(Sd.)Parimal Ghosh
Shri K. Anandan Nambiar, M.P.,
17, Windsor place,
NEW DELHI.
1.The hours of work (duty at a stretch) was restricted to a maximum of 14 hours from signing ON to signing OFF to claim relief thereafter.
*As a result, the shackles of counting duty hours from wheel movement for the purpose of claiming relief was broken, replaced by counting of duty at a stretch from signing ON to signing OFF, for claiming relief, a great achievement.
*Large number of running staff posts were created leading to accelerated promotions to staff and employment to the unemployed
*Assurances for vacation of Victimisation.
*Assurance for consideration of the demand of calculating over time allowance of running staff
on weekly basis.
2. As a result of Firemen Strike 1967, The Ashraff Committee on running allowances
has revised and increased the rates of Running Allowances.
3. The rest rules also under gone favourable changes in 1972, thereby securing 16 hours
rest at headquarters and 8 hours rest at out station.
4. Improvement in running room conditions, including provision of standby Generators.
5. Out of headquarters stay restricted to 72 hours.
“Above all, the struggles of firemen council have brought about a Renaissance movement among the loco men of Indian railways, instilling a confidence in them to forge unity for organising, and fighting for their legitimate rights and privileges which, were deprived for decades. It is not only a great but also, an ever-memorable achievement in the annals of Loco Men history.”
The Loco men were organised under different nomenclatures such as, Loco running staff council, Drivers council, Firemen council, Assistants council, Associations etc., spear heading numerous struggles of Loco men in different divisions and Zones against the then prevailing inhuman working conditions and oppressions facing the hardships and victimisation, besides gains.
Among those, some of their names, who played an important role in organising the loco men over the Indian Railways, are given below:
N.F.Railway : Comrades P.K.Baruah, Sanjeet sarkar, S R Jadav. And others.
N.E.Railway : Comrades B.D.Kumar, D.N.Pal, Narasimhan and others.
N.Railway : Comrades R.P.Sharma, Y.P.Kohli, S.R.Bagga, Ramesh Gupta, Sindhia, Mewalal,
Ashok Gupta, Baber Abbas & others
E.Railway : Comrades P.K.Dutta Gupta, N.Sarkar and others.
S.E.Railway : Comrades N.B.Dutta, S.K.Dhar, M.N.Prasad, P.K.Bose, M.M.Singh, Babji Rao
and others.
W.Railway : Comrades H.S.Choudary, Y.D.Sharma, Avasthi, and others.
S.C.Railway : Comrades Y.Sundaramurthy, T.Hanumaiah, Ch.Krishna Raju, K.ManikyalaRao,
A.M.Reddy, G.Ratnam, K.Subrahmanyam, C.Hanumantharao, N.Suribabu
Ghouse Peeran, F.V.Saldanah,P.Devadanam.P, CH.Narasiha,K.D.John&others
S.Railway : Comrades M.R.Sabapathy, Pal David Sam, Dasaratha raju, Agusthiyappa,
B.V.S.Rao,K.Rajanna,KAS.Mani,VK.Srikumar,P.C.Angel,SubbaReddy,Enbaraj,
Ramakrishna, Vijayakumar, Subbarao & others.
.
The Southern Railway unit of AILRSA went on strike in May 1970 and called off on the assurances given by the Government. But the Government failed to honour those assurances.
VIJAYAWADA, UNITY FOUNDATION CONFERENCE, IN AUGUST 1970.
The Loco men meeting held in Delhi, at the time of tendering evidence before the Mia Bhai Tribunal, 1969, has decided to hold a unity foundation conference under the chairmanship of comrade Y. Sundaramurthy at Vijayawada in 1970.
Accordingly, a unity conference was held under the chairmanship of comrade Y. Sundara Murthy in Vijayawada on 25th & 26th of August 1970 to stream line the then prevailing Loco men organisations, under different nomenclatures, into the mighty organisation which was formed and named as “ALL INDIA LOCO RUNNING STAFF ASSOCIATION”.
The conference, has elected comrade B V S Rao as President, Comrade P K Baruah as Secretary General, comrade N. Sarkar as working president, comrade P K Dutta Gupta as the Treasurer, comrade S K Dhar as Jt.Secretary General and comrade T.Hanumaiah as Asst.Secretary General among the other office bearers, till the next Annual General body meeting.
Thereafter, further momentum of numerous struggles, picked up for redressal of grievances and demands.
As the Government failed to keep up its assurances, the south Zone launched a strike in 1972.
For their participation in the September 1972 strike organised by S. Railway unit of AILRSA, more than 200 Loco men were booked and arrested under Defence of India Rules duly filing the criminal cases against them in the court of law. They challenged the cases in the Delhi High Court, with the help of shri V. K. Krishna Menon. The strike was called off, after 14 days, without any settlement by the president and secretary of south zone from the jail itself. But opposing the calling off strike, the Trichy and Mysore divisions prolonged the strike and they also, had to call off strike after 19 days. The strike has left large scale victimisation including removal from service, break in service, suspensions, Reversions, and penal transfers, in addition to the criminal cases under Defence of India Rules and imprisonment.
In the background of continued oppression and non-implementation of assurances, sporadic agitations by loco men arose in different parts of the country. Instead of resolving the issues the railway administration resorted to oppressive methods victimising the loco men. There were arrests including the arrest of Secretary General of AILRSA comrade P.K. Baruah, in addition to the already continuing severest victimisation of 1972 strike of Southern Railway, including the criminal cases foisted under Defence of India Rules and imprisonment. So also, the situation was adverse in the northern railway where a strike was called off on the assurances of railway minister in the month of May 1973, but in violation of assurances, in the middle of June, the Railway board resorted to large scale victimisation. The situation was no different in western railway, N.E. Railway, and parts of Eastern & S.E. railway. At this juncture a CWC meeting was held in Madras on 27th & 28th June,1973 in which, the decision was taken to go on strike from1st/2nd mid night of August,1973. A strike action committee was constituted to conduct the strike.
Subsequently, the action committee members meeting was held in Vijayawada Wherein, a confidential code of communication was prepared and presented by comrade T. Hanumaiah, which was approved and adopted for using between the action committee members, during the strike period. It was a very robust communication system worked very successfully, which could not be detected even by the intelligence wings of Government of India, at that time.
DEMANDS:
1. Honour the past assurances.
2. Vacate all victimisation & withdraw all court and departmental proceedings.
3. 8 hours duty.
4. Scientific revision of kilometerage allowances and rates.
5. Improved pay scales.
6. Withdraw inhuman and unsafe working conditions. Etc.,
THE STRIKE was commenced at mid night on 1/2-08-1973, SUCCESSFULLY.
The striking Loco men bravely faced the onslaught unleashed by the government to break the strike by resorting to arrests, imprisonment, assault with Rifle Butt, forcible eviction from railway quarters, threatening the family members, dismissal & removal from service under Rule 14(2) RS (D&AR,1968, compulsory retirements, reversions, penal transfers and break in service, etc., As the strike was progressing successfully, the Loco men affiliated to the recognised federations also, voluntarily joined the strike. When Railway Board asked the Federations to arrange at least 25 loco men to work trains in Delhi to, break the strike, the Federations could not arrange, as the Loco men solidly rallied behind the strike organised by AILRSA.
Besides AILRSA’s own solid unity, strength, and strategy, the unstinted support extended by the sister organisations from Central and State government employees,& workers as well as the Agriculturists & Agriculture labour organisations, in addition to the Intellectuals and unorganised labour organisations, besides solid support of Media has made the strike a grand success beyond expectations, resulting in ,the total paralysation of train services over the Indian railways, forcing the Government of India to invite the AILRSA for negotiations .The minister of labour, shri K.V .Raghunatha Reddy sent the invitation to AILRSA. The action Committee members chose not to avail the flight arrangements offered by the Government and instead reached Delhi, for negotiations, availing the travel arrangements made by AILRSA. Even, while the strike was continuing in full swing an historical agreement was reached, after prolonged negotiations for three days, between the Government of India (GOI) and the All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) on 13-08-1973.
The agreement was signed, on behalf of Government of India by shri K V RAGHUNATHA REDDY, Minister of labour, in the presence of Shri L.N. MISHRA, Minister for Railways, Government of India,
AND
The Action Committee Members of AILRSA, Namely,
1.M.R. Sabapathy, And 2. M.Arumai, Southern Railway.
3.K. Subrahmanyam. And 4. A.S. D’cruze, South Central Railway.
5.S.K.Dhar, South Eastern Railway.
6.P.K.Dutta Gupta, Eastern Railway.
7.S.R.Jadav, North East Frontier Railway.
8.R.P.Sharma, Northern Railway.
9.B.D.Kumar, North Eastern Railway.
10.H.S.Choudary Western Railway.
The Secretary General Comrade P.K.Baruah could not reach Delhi, in time, due to the delayed release from detention.
The Railway Board and recognised Federations were not allowed on to the negotiation table though, they wanted to join in, only, to scuttle the negotiations. Therefore, they were kept out from the negotiations.
The agreement was announced in the parliament by the Railway Minister Shri L N Mishra on 14-08-1973. There upon, the Action Committee of AILRSA has called off the Strike. The Action Committee members of AILRSA were flown by flights to their respective zones to call of the strike, at ground level.
POINTS ON WHICH AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE LOCO RUNNING STAFF
1.The absentee staff will resume their duties immediately.
2.All those who have been arrested in connection with the agitation (May to August ’73) will be released as soon as the present agitation is called off except those charged under law for acts of Sabotage, damage to railway property and violence.
Charge sheets filed against the persons under the provisions of DIR for acts which do not involve sabotage, damage to railway property or violence shall be reviewed by the committee and appropriate action will be initiated for getting such charge sheets withdrawn. With respect to acts of sabotage, damage to railway property and violence, it would be impressed upon the State governments to examine all matters on merit and take appropriate action in such cases.
3.All those released from arrest will be taken back on duty.
4.Penal transfers, reversions, suspensions, and removals arising out of the agitations or in connection with the agitations shall be withdrawn except for those charged with acts of sabotage, damage to railway property and violence.
5.Break in service shall be condoned.
6.The period of absence arising out of the present agitation from 1.8.73 will be adjusted against leave earned and in cases where leave earned is not due shall be adjusted against leave to be earned in the near future.
7.Charge sheets of administrative character directly connected with the trade union activities or activities arising out of agitations (May – August ’73) shall be withdrawn.
8.Members of the loco running staff will not be required to work for more than ten hours at a stretch from signing on to signing off.
Details and the mode and manner of the implementation of 10 hours of work will be discussed and finalised by the committee to be appointed and held between the representatives of the loco running staff and the government within six weeks from the withdrawal of this agitation.
9.All the assurances given by the government from the period commencing from July’67 to date that have remained unimplemented shall be implemented as expeditiously as possible.
10.To discuss the other points of grievances, a committee under the Chairmanship of Shri Mohd. Shafi Qureshi, Deputy Minister for railways, with five senior officials of the ministry of railways and five representatives of the loco running staff will be constituted and commence functioning within five days of the resumption of the work by the loco running staff. A representative of the ministry of Labour will also attend the meeting.
11.With respect to matters discussed and agreed to, no direct action will be resorted to with in the period of 3 years from such agreement.
13- 8 -‘73 Sd. K. V. Raghunatha Reddy.
As per the above agreement a High-power committee was constituted consisting of the following members to discuss and finalise the other points of grievances referred by the A I L R S A.
*Chairman: Shri Mohd. Shafi Qureshi * Deputy Minister for Railways
*Representative of the Ministry of Labour: *Chief Labour Commissioner (Central)
*Five Representatives of AILRSA *Five Senior Officials of Railway Board.
Sarva Sri. Sarva Sri.
1.M.R. Sabapathy, 1.D.B. Vohra,
2.P.K. Baruah, 2.B. Rajagopalan
3.T. Hanumaiah. and others.
4.S.K. Dhar,
5.H.S. Chowdary.
The AILRSA has submitted the list of other 76 points of grievances and demands to the High-Power Committee which were discussed in many sittings held in Railway Board, for resolving them. While some of the grievances and demands were resolved, the other grievances and demands remained to be resolved.
A Subcommittee was also constituted to deal with the 1883 cases of Victimisation, referred by AILRSA to discuss and decide.
*Chairman: Shri. R J T D’mellow * The Chief labour Commissioner (central)
Ministry of Labour, Govt. of India.
Along With a RLC (C)
*Representative of AILRSA. * Representative of Ministry of Railways.
1.T. Hanumaiah 1.D.B. Vohra
Assistant Secretary General Director (Establishment) Railway Board,
. *Assisted by General Secretaries of Zones. *Assisted by shri.B. Rajagopalan & other
officials.
The AILRSA submitted petition with a list of 1883 Victimisation cases, to the Chairman, praying to set aside the punishments.
The Railways submitted their counter opposing our petition in all the cases.
After hearing the either side arguments, in these cases, in Several sittings held at Shram Shakthi bhavan of Ministry of Labour and, in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, the Chairman gave decisions in favour of AILRSA in most of the victimisation cases. It was a great relief, to the victimised, achieved by AILRSA, through Strike.
The Achievements.
A).The hours of work (Duty at a stretch) was restricted to a maximum of 10 hours from
signing ON to OFF to claim relief thereafter.
*Since the administration deliberately putting hurdles in implementation of 10 hours
Duty rule the AILRSA had resorted to strike again from 23rd December 1973 with
due notice to the Government of India of India.
In response to the appeal made by the Prime Minister, the AILRSA agreed to call off
the strike within 24 hours by reaching the following Agreement.
1.There will be no victimisation or any action against the employees who participated
In the present agitation which started from 23rd November 1973.
2. The period of absence will be treated as leave due, if no leave is due, then it will be
debitable against the leave due.,
3. The Loco Running Staff grievances committee ( Mohd. Shafi Qureshi committee)
Would be called to meet on 28th December,1973 at 11.00A.M to look into all the
Earlier and present grievances of the Association.
4. Shri. L.N.Misshra, Railway Minister will take the meeting on 28th and he has
requested the Labour Minister, Shri. K.V.Raghunatha reddy to attend the meeting.
5. About arrests,Shri. L.N.Mishra, Railway Minister has assured the Loco Running
Staff Association to look in to cases personally for urgent release and take them back
on duty.
6.The channel of communication to represent the cases shall be granted to the
Association at all levels.
These AILRSA strikes laid foundation for all India strike of Railway men in the year 1974.
The successful strikes of AILRSA leading to reaching agreements with Government on major demands of Loco men, vacation of victimisation and treating the strike periods as leave during the currency of strikes has inspired and emboldened the Railway men to come together for achieving their decades old major demands including Need based wages, Bonus, 8hours work, decasualisation of casual labour, job evaluation, and restoration of Grain Shop for supply of ration etc.,
Sensing the pulse of Railway men, comrade George Fernandez, President of AIRF with the support of Central Trade Unions, gave a call for holding a convention of Railway men unions in Delhi on 27th February,1974 for exploring the possibility of organising a general strike, to achieve the above mentioned demands of Railway men. The response of Railway men was beyond the expectation of organisers with participation of 110 organisations of railwaymen besides Central Trade Unions. In this convention a national co-ordination committee of Railway men’s struggle, in short known as NCCRS came into existence. To conduct the struggle., Under the convenorship of com.George Fernandez, an action committee was constituted with two representatives each from AILRSA,AIREC,AIRF,CITU,AITUC and BRMS. The AILRSA was represented by its Joint Secretary Generals, comrades S K Dhar and H S Choudary. Despite, serious and sincere efforts made by NCCRS for a negotiated settlement, the Government deliberately scuttled it by resorting to arrests of leaders and leading cadre on 01-05-1974, itself, though the strike was to commence from 08-05-1974, if negotiations failed. The arrest includes AILRSA leaders Comrades Sundara Murthy, P K Baruah, S K Dhar, H S Choudhary and K Subrahmanyam among others. While the negotiations were proceeding in the Labour Minister Shri. K V Raghunatha Reddy’s official residence in Delhi, orders came from Prime Minister to break the negotiations and take leaders into custody. The labour minister told us that we will have our dinner in his house, an indication of imminent arrests. We slipped from the place to escape arrest. While ,some leaders were arrested, my self ( T.Hanumaiah) escaped arrest at Delhi and reached Vijayawada, duly establishing contacts and communication enroute with NCCRS and AILRSA leaders at Mathura, Agra, Jhansi, Bhopal, Etarsi, Nagpur, Kazi pet, and Secunderabad to organise the strike. The strike was successfully organised paralysing the train services throughout India. The Government unleashed heavy repression on strikers deploying police force for harassing the strikers to go for duty , if not to jail with threats to family members. Essential Service maintenance ordinance was promulgated against the strikers and arrested about 50000 workers and many of them subjected to summary trials awarding minimum of one-year Rigorous Imprisonment. As many as 30,000 workers were summarily dismissed/ removed from service under rule 14(ii), in addition to summary termination of 50000 Casual labourers, prohibitive orders including curfew was imposed in railway colonies. Various penal measures were taken and punishments imposed, break in service was imposed. In support of the strike, a massive one-day strike was organised all over the country on 15-05-1974 from all sections of people. Despite the unprecedented massive repression, the workers continued the strike till it was called off on 28-05-1974. The vast majority of AILRSA members stood the ground of strike till its call off day on 28-05-1974.
Recognition of AIRF was cancelled. The negotiation machinery was disabled. The victimisation of staff continued with unions supporting the victimised financially by raising the funds from serving employees. Even in this task The AILRSA played a vital role as it has played in the historical 1974 general strike of Railwaymen. Also, looked after court cases and departmental cases.
As the matters stood like that, the political situation turned into troubled waters, as the
Prime Minister Smt.Indira Gandhi lost her election case in Allahabad High Court, losing her parliament seat. The conditional stay granted by the Supreme Court, on this verdict was used by Indira Gandhi to clamp internal emergency in the country. The Fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution of India remains Suspended during the currency of Emergency. The democratic function of trade unions nosedived during the period of emergency. However, the AILRSA kept its flag raised high even during the internal emergency period.
The General Elections to the Lok Sabha was differed by Smt. Indira Gandhi from 1976 to 1977 and in the elections The ruling congress party lost the power as it was gained by Janata party, and formed the government at centre with Shri Morarji Desai as Prime Minister. Shri Madhu Dandavathe announced in the parliament to the effect that the victimisation of workers participated in 1974 railway general strike is vacated duly conferring the consequential benefits.
The T U activities gained momentum. The AILRSA has prevailed upon the ministry of railways to implement the 13th August,1973 agreement . After protracted efforts the 10 hours duty rule was implemented with effect from 01-10-1978, vide GOI, Ministry of Railways(Railway Board) No. E(LL)77/HER/29 dated:31-08-1978. It has resulted in creation of thousands of new running staff posts leading to accelerated large scale promotions to the running staff and employment to the unemployed.
But the other points of agreement and functioning of high power grievances committee to resolve the grievances was not restored, despite repeated representations. Therefore, the AILRSA served a notice to launch strike from 26-03-1979. In the result , the railway board Chairman held discussions with the AILRSA on 22nd and 23rd March,1979 reaching agreement on the following matters, duly communicating the same on the date 23-03-1979 to the Secretary General, All India Loco Running Staff Association by M.V.Jayaraman, Joint Director/Esst./Railway Board.
Summary of agreed points.
1.The pending victimisation of most of 33 rejected cases would be reviewed by 15-04-
79 and all other cases by 30-04-79. Penal transfers will not be done for trade union
activities.
2. Agreed to withdraw the R.Bd’s circulars recently issued to discount the Pilot & pre
Departure detention hours for calculation of 10 hours duty at a stretch for relief
purpose.
3. A high power committee constituted to go into the revision of running allowances,
pay and other incidental matters connected with running staff. LRSA will be fully
associated by the committee and they may place their views and demands before the
committee. The recommendations will be given effect from 01-04-79.
4.The LRSGC will go into the grievances of LRSA. The committee will meet at least
every alternative month. There will be a similar committee consisting of ACPO,
ACME,(R&M), ACOPS(G) and a Finance officer. The issue classification change
From Continuous to Intensive may be referred to high power committee by LRSA.
5.The Super fast trains will be treated at par for Fortnightly 90 hours working as per
Intensive keeping 10 hours in force.
6. Same work same pay in the case of Fireman ‘B’ and ‘A’ in the scale of 290-360 will
Be considered by the high power committee. This ,however , also be processed with
finance Ministry. It Diesel Asst & Electrical Asst.was also agreed to examine the
stagnation issue
7. (a) Agreed in principle in the case of empanelled but not absorbed Firemen ‘A’, steps
Would be taken to absorb them in other departments, where the matter is not Sub-
Judice.
(b) Fireman ‘B’ will be provided in steam shunting engines involving over 4000 ‘C’
grade fireman posts to be upgraded.
As regards Diesel Assts on Diesel shunting Engines ,it will be finalised in a
Fortnight’s time.
(c) Restoration of 75% of running allowances for calculation of retirement benefits
Will be considered by the High Power Committee. It will also be processed
(d) Agreed for implementation of the first in first out principle for booking goods
Crews.
(e) Accepted in principle the 30% leave reserve except in’A’ grade where absence is
low and 15% LR have been given in ‘A” grade and 15% in ‘B’ grade.
(f) Accepted in principle to cancel naked vision test for all in medical examination,
Provided safety is not jeopardised and will be examined further . the health
Directorate.
(g) Agreed in principle for change of colour of uniform with the consultation of
AILRSA.
(h) Channel of communication already exist. Further a committee is being provided
As given in Item.4.
8. as regards giving representative character to AILRSA in accident committees, it is
Stated that the AILRSA can give their views and suggestions to the already existing
safety committees at Zonal and divisional levels. The Government will welcome
their co-operation.
* Constitution and operation of Zonal Railway level Committee for redressal of
grievances of LRSA.
The committees were constituted vide R.Bd’s letter No. E(LR) I.79/NM1/14 Dated 20-04-79 and 04-10-79, and became operational.
TERMS OF REFERENCE:
(i).To look into grievances concerning non implementation of instructions of the
Railway board/Zonal Railway Head quarters by the Zonal Railways/Divisions.
(ii).To look into grievances of general nature other than individual matters with in the
purview of Zonal Railways.
(iii).On complaints of alleged victimisation, the grievances committee can give their
Recommendations to assist the concerned Disciplinary authority.
(iv).To consider improvements/difficulties in Links and other Running Staff matters.
(v) .To review any working problems relating to Running Staff.
Running Allowances Committee ,1980 (Bhalla Committee)
As a result of AILRSA’s struggles and agreements the Running Allowances Committee 1980 came into existence. headed by H.K.Bhalla, thus came to be known as Bhalla Committee, also.
The AILRSA submitted a comprehensive memorandum on hours of work, wages and running allowances demanding scientific revision.
A team of office bearers of AILRSA consisting of M R Sabapathy, P K Baruah,S K. Dhar,T.Hanumaiah and H S Choudhary participated in the proceedings of the Running Allowances Committee.
Main Recommendations as accepted:
1.Identification of quantum of Pay Element in Running Allowances as 30%. To be
Taken as add on pay For Various purposes Viz., rates of running allowances,
HRA,ALKM, pay fixation in stationary posts, over time allowance, medical treatment, passes &PTO’s, Allotment of quarters, Leave salary, Income tax and various other allowances etc.,
2.Restoration of calculating D A on Pay plus 30% pay element in running
allowances.
3.Prescribing a formula for determining the rates of running allowances.
4.Prescribing 55% of pay as pay element in running allowances for the purpose of
calculating retirement benefits.
5.Towards contribution to Provident Fund 55%.pay element be added to pay.
Further, the AILRSA secured the revision of pay scales of LOCO MEN through collective bargaining with the Railway Board.
AILRSA IS THE FIGHTING VAN GUARD OF LOCO RUNNING STAFF , PROTECTING THEIR INTERESTS AT ALL TIMES AND ALSO THE COMMON INTERESTS OF ALL RAILWAY MEN AND THE WORKING
ClASS.
A I L R S A
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