I

NFIR

of IndianRailwaymen Federation National ROAD,NEWDELHI. 110055 3, CHELMSFORD Affiliated to : Trade National UnionCongress(INTUC) tndian InternationalTransportWorkers'Federation(lTF) Dated:0410212016

No. IIATFIR/95/Part'VII

STRIKE BALLOT The Railwaymen/Womenare awarethat the indifferentattitudeon the part of the Governmentin anti-workerpolicieshad andthe Government's resolvingthe legitimatedemandsof Railwayemployees National Conventionheld compelledtheNFIR to takea decisionfor preparingfor IndefiniteStrikein its at Visakhapatnamfrom 10thto l2th December2013. In the National Convention,65-point charterof ahead.The strike ballot was conductedby NFIR demandswas approve{ and accordinglyproceeded. affiliatesall over the IndianRailwayson 17' and 18'nJanuary2014. In the PNM meetingheld on 30s and 3l't January,2014,the resolutionpassedin the NFIR's for NFIR to decideto go on strikewas conveyed NationalConventionand the compellingcircumstances to the Governmentand the Railway Board.The Federationat the sametime had also urgedthe Railway a meetingwith Federationswas held in Ministry to take stepsfor negotiatedsettlement.Consequently, Rail Bhavan,New Delhi chairedby the CRB, attendedby the Board Memberson 7'hFebruary2014 and the following issueswere discussed. l. Abolition of New PensionSchemein Railways, 2. LARSGESS (a) Inclusionof additionalcategories by the Federations, asdemanded " (b) Quartersretentionby wardsof railway employeesappointedunderLARSGESS. (c) Removal of "20 years service condition" in the Safety post for entitlement under LARSGESS. 'C' poststo Group oB' Gazetted. 3. Upgradationof Apex level Group distribution of the post of Track 4. Career Progression of Track Maintainers-percentage Maintainersas per agreement. 5. MACPSanomalies. 6. RunningStaffissues, 7. CadreRestructuring- implementationproblems. 8. Absorptionof QuasiAdministrativeUnits staff, 9. PoorMaintenanceof Railway Colonies, 10.BetterHealthCare. While someissueswere settled,severalgrievancescontinuedunresolvedinspite of discussions held in the FastTrack Committeemeetingsas well joint meetings.Taking stock of the laboursituation, the GeneralCouncilof NFIR in its meetingheld on29'nApril 2015,had decidedto intensifystruggles and prepareRailway employeesfor strike on 55-PointCharterof Demands.Copiesof the resolution alongwith the Charterof Demandswere sentto the Hon'blePrimeMinister,FinanceMinister,Railway At the instanceof Minister, Minister of State for Labour and Employmentetc., on 3010412015. Federation,a specialmeetingwas held underthe chairmanshipof CRB on ll10l20l5 and a few pending issueswere discussed.It is howeverunfortunatethat therehasbeenndmuch progressin solvingseveral issueslistedby Federation. Contd.Page...2

: RAILMAZDOR Fax: 011-23744013, Rly.22382,Telegram Rly.030-22283,22626, Phone: 011-23343305, 65027299, india.com, Websjte: www.nfirindia.org dr.mr@ E-mail: [email protected];

OF HIV/ AIDS. PROLONGS OUALITYOF LIFE EARLYDETECTION

//2/t demandsremainedunresolved,the Governmenthastakenvariousdecisions While rnuny'ge,nuine for pursuing anti-worker policies aggressivelymore particularly for bringing FDI in Railways, Privatizationof activities of perennialnature besidesresortingto anti-worker amendmentsto labour laws.The long pendingdemandfor abolitionof NationalPensionSystem(NPS) in Railwaysis yet to be consideredby the GovernmentalthoughRailway Ministershavesentcommunicationsto Union Finance Ministerseekingexemptionof Railwaysfrom NationalPensionSystem(NPS). of and equally non-settlement Apart from the aboverthe7thCPC's retrograderecommendations pf years the JCM Constituent has compelled negotiations for over two several issues inspite Organizationsand NFIR to give a call for indefinite strike. The National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) hasbeenleadingthe unitedstruggleof CentralGovernmentemployees. The Railway issuesmore particularlymergerof Technician-Ilwith Technician-I,replacementof 4600/with 4800/-,allotmentof GP 46001-to Loco Pilot (Mail Express),up-gradationof Apex level GP 'C' poststo Group 'B' Gazetted,althoughagreedto, there has beenno implementationtill date. Group The running staff issuesrelating to revision of kilometreageratesetc., revision of exemptionlimit of RunningAllorrrancefrom the purview of IncomeTax are continuedto remainpending.JEs,SSEs,staff of Technical,Operatingand Mechanicalcategoriesand equally common categoriesin Railways have of VIIth CPC. It is sad to beensubjectedto grave injustice on accountof perverserecommendations mentionthat the 7tn CPC has totally ignoredthe hard working conditions,remoteness,complex and unique natureof duties of Railway employeeswhile recommendingrevisedpay matrix which has resultedseriousdisappointmentand angeramongall sectionsof Rail Workforce. The GeneralCouncil and Working Committeemeetingsof NFIR have decidedto conductstrike ballot during 2ndweek of February 2016 (during the periJd 7th and 9ft February) all over Indian Railwaysand in the eventof majority opinion emergedin favour of oolndefinite Strike", the affiliatesof NFIR shall proceedaheadto serve strike Notice in accordancewith the provisions of I.D. Act for launchingIndefiniteStrike. Railwaymen/Womenare thereforerequestedto rally round foi united strugglein the form of Indefinite Strike from first week of March, 2016 to compel the Governmentto satisfactorilysettle workers'demands.The shortlisteddemandsare furnishedvide Annexureto this appeal. DdAs above (Dr. M. Raghavaiih General Secretary/NFl Copy forwardedto the GeneralSecretariesof affiliated Unions of NFIR for guidanceand necessary action.Postersand pamphletsshouldbe issuedon strikeballot in different languagesfor wide publicity for ensurinssuccessof strikeballot results. Media CenIreA.{FIR.

STRIKE BALLOT ON THE DEMANDS lmprove minimum

wage of

Rs.18,000/- and multiplying

factor. Reject all

retrograde

recommendations of VII CPC.

2.

ScrapNew Pension Scheme(NPS) and restoreold pnsion schemeto be made applicableto those employedon & after 1.1.2004.

a

Settle NFIR's Chafter of Demands submitted to the Government and Ministry of Railways on 24.12.2013,2:8.01.2014,03.07.2014,0'1.0'7.2014,11.09.2015 &l0.l2.20l5whichincluderemoval of anomaliesof VI CPC, implementationagreementsreached for merger of Technicians,grant upgradationof Apex Group'C'posts to Group'B'Gazetted,replacement of Pay Band & GP of various categories,removal of salarycalculationceiling for ensuringpaymentof PLB on actual wages,grant of parity in case of stenographerswith those working in Central SecretariatServices,reduction of duty hours, improvement in Railway Quarters, Medical fuq*i[iffir*,?,$tg.,n of New Posts for New )s"*

"without insisting on matchingsurrendeietc., En'6 Assets/Services

icareer improvementof

Safaiwalas/Safaiwalies in Railways,SPAD definitionto be reviewedto preventharassment & victimizationof Running& Safetystaff, Absorptionof

Unitvoffice$.Staff Ns$dmini#ative tN\ninginstitute to imparttrainingin against CP Rs.l800/-(PB-l). Settingup of multi-disciplinary Act Course Completed railrelated electronic technologies to the*urO,of nuilwayemployees,Induct '

=

ApprgnticesagainstSafetyvacanciesS$S*"*,* ' * \

.i

Scrap report of Bibek Debroy SUmmittee& implement positive recommendationsof High Power

(Running& Su.,,RS,,il, Committee 5,

.,

',,

nugurt,iOf + in construction, operation & RecallFDI notification offiuerqg:nt of Indiadated22nd !$

Railways maintenance of ltldi{i; lndian Railwavffi

s$iall

as agrlementsenter into with foreignCompanies

well asNationalComt'anies whichard ffintalto

theinterests of Railways& Nation.

6.

tffi*,, Stopanti-worker amend#Uulryrlabour

7.

lik" T;;n$Wns, TechnicalSupervisors, Loco and Traffic Injusticedoneto Railway E@-,loyees

.r

,

etc.,etc..in respectof allotmentof 7'r'CPCPay RunningStaff,Opefttrtine Stffi Medigalcategor.ies piomoiionaffitop"sffiuldbe doneawaywith andjusticeadministered. Matrixlevels-and 8.

with thoseworkingin the Ensureparity'inp1?Istructure& promotionalscopefor commoncategories i stries. CentralSecretariafT.&{in

9.

Retainexisting alloWances/advances.

10.

(a) Constitute Joint Committees at each Ministry/Departmentallevel to resolve the VII CPC within the prescribedtime frame, empoweringthem to resolve. anomalies/aberrations/injustices (b) Se! up National Joint Committeeto discussand resolveVII CPC anomalies/aberrations/injustices within the prescribedtime frame.

11.

Ensure payment of P.L. Bonus at the rate of Rs.7000/-p.m. for the year 2014-15 as was done in October,2008when the salarycalculationlimit wasrevisedfrom Rs.2500/-to Rs.3500/-p.m. {<{<*{<**i<*r<