Ahammedabad Division

Dear Comrades,
The All India Loco Running Staff Association and the All India Guard's Council Jointly Organised a meeting of the Running Staff at the Ahemadabad Lobby on 28th November, 2008 at 11.00 hours. The Meeting was well attended and successful. The Running Staff present in the meeting unanimously decided to follow all the programs as decided by the Central Working Committee and the Joint Action Committee.

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Mumbai Division

All India Loco Running Staff Association & All India Guard's Council - Mumbai Division - Western Railway will jointly organise a March to the Divisional Railway Manager's Office - Mumbai Central on 2nd December 2008 at 10.00 hours regarding local demands of both the categories of the running staff. Memorandums will be submitted on various local demands to the Divisional Officers.

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Program of Action- in short

1. Observe 23rd Program of action decided by CWC

December as Demand day, wearing the demand badge, holding open meeting at every crew point.
2. A 36 hrs Hunger fast commencing from 10hrs. On 29th Dec’08 in front of all DRM’s Office.
3. Area wise Regional Convention

Kolkata- ER, SER, Metro : 17.01.09
Nagpur- SEC : 18.01.09
Mumbai- CR, WR : 19.01.09
Vijayawada- SCR : 21.01.09
Bangalore- SR, SWR : 23.01.09
Varanasi – NE, NC : 28.01.09
Ludhiyana- NR : 30.01.09

4. Mass rally and sit in Dharna before Rail Bhawan, NDLS on 06.02.2009

5. If our demands are not conceded we will enter into “Indefinite Strike” any day after 1st April 2009 duly issuing a strike notice as per ID Act.

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Releasing of FIRE magazine

ALL INDIA LOCO RUNNING STAFF ASSOCIATION
SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY

Releasing special issue of FIRE Magazine-official organ of AILRSA-
commemorating Com. SK Dhar

By Com. Basudeb Acharia MP,
Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways.
On 3rd Dec 2008, Wednesday, 15.00 hrs
at Hotel New Krishna Bhavan,
Sampige Road, Malleswaram, Bangalore.
Presided by Com. C. Sunish

Addressing:
1. Com. KAS Mani, Central Vice President, AILRSA.
2. Com. S. Prasannakumar, president NREU.
3. Com. PS Prasad, General Secretary, COC.
4. Com. KV Raghavendra, Divisional Secretary /SWRMU.
5. Com. KN Rao, Vice President, NRMS.
6. Com. PAS Rao, Secretary, IRLRO.
7. Com. R. Surendran, Divisional Secretary, AILRSA.

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Regional Conventions

A little modification is done in regional convention programmes as under: -

1 Kolkata E. Railway
S.E. Railway
Metro/Kolkata 17.01.09

The Central leaders will do their reservation reach HWH by 9hrs. on 17.01.09 with a intimation to Com N. B. Dutta Mobile No. 09830280269 reservation for these four comrades will be done by the organizing Railways to NGP by 2810 on 17.01.09 itself. Com, L. Mony,
Com, M. N. Prasad
Com, T. Hanumaiah
Com, N. Sarkar
2 Nagpur S.E.C. Railway C. Railway 18.01.09 from 16:00hrs. Reservation will be done by 2140 to Dadar on 18.01.09. Com, M.P. Dev will be responsible for organizingthe convention and reservation. Com, L. Mony,
Com, M. N. Prasad
Com, T. Hanumaiah
Com, N. Sarkar
3 Mumbai/Kalyan wherever convenient C. Railway
W. Railway 19.01.09 Com, D. S. Koparkar will be responsible for organizing the programme and reservation for the team to on 19.01.09 itself 2701 From Hyderabad Com, T. Hanumaiah will arrange by a convenient train to Vijayawada. Com, L. Mony,
Com, M. N. Prasad
Com, T. Hanumaiah
Com, N. Sarkar

4 Vijayawada S. C. Railway VSKP (E. CO. Railway) 21.01.09 Organizing convention and reservation to Banglore by 6324 or 2510/2514 on 21.01.09 is the responsibility lies to Zonal committee with consultation of Com, T. Hanumaiah Com, L. Mony,
Com, M. N. Prasad
Com, T. Hanumaiah
Com, N. Sarkar
5 Bangalore S. W. Railway 23.01.09 Return reservation for Com. M.N. Prasad & Com, N. Sarkar to HWH and for Com, L. Mony and T. Hanumaiah to Eranakulam and Secenderabad will be done by Com, C. Sunish. Com, L. Mony,
Com, M. N. Prasad
Com, T. Hanumaiah
Com, N. Sarkar
6 Varanasi N.E. Railway N.C. Railway (If any one contacted) 28.01.09 Com, J. N. Sah is responsible for meeting, reservation by 2317 to ludhiana on the same day for the team. Com, N. Sarkar
Com, M. N. Prasad
7 Ludhiana N. Railway 30.01.09 Com, Paramjit Singh is responsible for meeting and reservation for the Comrades attending to NDLS by a convenient train. Com, N. Sarkar
Com, M. N. Prasad

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CWC Circular ,Nov 2008

Dear Comrades,

The CWC meeting was held at Ghaziabad on 17th 18th Nov’08. Chaired by Com, L. Money our president, discussed our issues, and on the agenda as circulated with the notice of the meeting. 13 Comrades took part in the discussion. In-addition 4 ALP who has taken initiative to Organize ALP have also participated and expressed their confidence in AILRSA and its movement. It is noticed that some of the General Secretary did not attend the meeting which only reflects the lack in seriousness which are to overcome in the interest of Org. and the Loco men.

A delegation led by Com. M. N. Prasad, Jt. Secy. General met with Member of Staff Mr. SS.Khurana in the Chamber of Com, Basudeb Acharia, (M.P), Chairman Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, in absence of MR, CRB who was not available and out of New Delhi. We expressed our serious resentment over the Pay Pocket of Loco Running Staff Specially of ALPs, not maintaing the functional differences of LPs by not allotting the in creased different grade pay. We have drawn his attention on the issue of Pay element as per our memorandum and rate of Kilometerage to be fixed on existing formula taking into consideration of enhanced rate of TA, pay etc. we also wanted a information on constitution of any anomalies committee. The discussion was very good in cordial atmosphere.

Member Staff informed us that the Railway Board is serious and sympathetic to our demands and will do, the best possible. He also said that our representation is being examined. On the question of Pay element he said that a team of Officer who examining all these question. He further mentioned during the coure of discussion it that depression in Pay of Running Staff is not as it was earlier, it come to 2% which was contested by us. However he said that the existing rate of Pay element i.e. 30%, 55% remains as it is. A Small Committee which is constituted for the purpose is formulating the rate of Kilometrage and Pay element. He has also informed us that Railway Board requested DOPT to formulate modalities to constitute the anomaly committee. Com, in face of above, discussion, all the rumour which is being now spread has no truth but is being done to cool down the resentment to allow the Railway Board to do what ever they like without any resistance. In view of above, now it our task to launch a vigorous campaign, strengthen our unity and resistance and with this consideration, the CWC took the programme as under. A letter of Railway Board for constituting Small Committee is attached herewith for your information.

After taking stock of the entire situation and giving due consideration of the members who expressed their views and opinion, the meeting unanimously decided the following programme of action against, the retrograde recommendation of 6th CPC as well as the decision of Ministry of Railway on the Pay of Running Staff specially of ALP of the IR which has created a strong resentment.


In-fact the pay allowed to Loco Running Staff is not commensurate to the responsibility attached to the post. Despite of the repeated representation and effort to draws the attention of Railway administration except a little modification nothing much is done which further enhanced the resentment and in this scenario we have no option but to agitate in order to persuade Ministry to resolve the grievances of ours will all sincerity and seriousness.

Taking into consideration of these compelling circumstances, this CWC drawn the following agitational programme and approved to the CWC.

1. Zone should release a detailed memorandum. The matter for memorandum will be supplied by center and posters on our grievances immediately not later than 15th Dec’08.

2. All Branch, Divisional and Zonal meeting will be held between 10th to 20th Dce’08 to propagate our demands and agitational programme and also alert our comrades to give prime importance to buildup unity among Loco Running Staff.
3. Observe 23rd Dec. as demand day, wearing the demand badge holding open meeting at every crew point and a Fax message to be given to MR and labour Ministry (matter will be supplied by Centre) ( badges, poster, notice be done by the comrade in Zone)

4. A 36hrs. Hunger fast commencing from 10hrs. on 29th Dec’08 in front of all DRM’s Office and submit the reminder to our grievances address to MR/labour Minster copy to CRB (Poster, notice printed by Zone)

5. Held area wise Regional Convention of Loco Running Staff following press conference as follows a team of central leaders will attend.


Sl. No. Organized by Place Date Will be Attended by
1 N. E. Railway Varanasi 13.01.2009 Com. L. Mony, Com,
M.N.Prasad, Com. N. Sarkar

2 N. Railway Ludhiana 15.01.2009 Com. L Mony,Com, M.N.Prasad, Com. N. Sarkar

3 E. Railway,
S. E. Railway, Metro/Kolkata Howrah 17.01.2009 Com. L. Mony, Com, M.N. Prasad, Com. N. Sarkar, Com, T. Hanumaiah

4 S.E.C Railway
C. Railway Nagpur 18.01.2009 Com. L. Mony, Com, M.N. Prasad, Com. N. Sarkar, Com, T. Hanumaiah

5 C. Railway
W. Railway Bombey 19.01.2009 Com. L. Mony, Com, M.N. Prasad, Com. N. Sarkar, Com, T. Hanumaiah

6 S. C. Railway Vijayawada 21.01.2009 Com. L. Mony, Com, M.N. Prasad, Com. N. Sarkar, Com, T. Hanumaiah

7 S. W. Railway Bangalore 22.01.2009 Com. L. Mony, Com, M.N. Prasad, Com. N. Sarkar, Com, T. Hanumaiah


6. Mass rally and sit in Dharna before Rail Bhawan on 06.02.2009

7. If our demands are not conceded we will enter into “Indefinite Strike” any day after 1st April 2009 duly issuing a strike notice as per ID Act.

8. To-meet financial requirement to execute these programme a befitting manner each and every Loco Running Staff be requested to contribute Rs 100/- not later than 31.12.2008 for which a coupon of Rs. 100/- will be permitted by Zone and supplied to Division as Strike Fund. Each Zone should Pay Rs. 3000/- immediately to Center within 15.01.2009 to meet the expenditure of Center programme.

9. Coupon for Building fund to be returned

10. The Central working committee meeting of All India Loco Running Staff Association held of central office on 17th and 18th Nov’08 decide to entrust Com, M. N. Prasad, joint Secretary General with the responsibilities of secretary General, since the post is vacated by our beloved Com, S. K. Dhar due to his demise on 15.09.08. In accordance with clause 13 A IV of the constitution of AILRSA, this Central Working Committee entrust him to act as the sole essecutive authority of Secretary General as laid down in clams 13 A IV of the constitution till next General Council is met.

These meeting appeals to All Loco Running Staff of Indian Railway to raise to the occasion and vigorously peruse the agitation programme with a spirit thereby achieve the demands.


M. N. Prasad

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CWC Decision To CRB, Nov.2008

To,
The Chairman
Railway Board
Rail Bhavan
New Delhi
Sir,
The Central Working Committee meeting of this Association held at Ghaziabad at his Central Office on 17th and 18th Nov. 2008. The meeting was chaired by its president Com. L. Mony. Delegates from all over India attended the meeting. The house after thread bare discussing of the grievance faced by the Running Staff, especially after the implementation of 6th CPC recommendation unanimously passed the following resolutions:

1. This meeting records its resentment over the prescribed Pay Band and grade Pay allowed to various category of the Loco Running Staff cadre, especially of ALP. The pay packed allowed the Loco Running Staff not commensurate with the responsibility attached to the post. Almost equal amount of pay pocket has been allowed to Loco Pilot and Guard, where as the responsibility, skill, arduousness of duty, and Medical standard, attached the Loco Pilot are much higher than that of the Guard. More-over the Loco Pilot Pay scale was always higher than the guard.

In the case of ALP, the pay scale was stands higher than goods Guard, during I CPC and II CPC, has come down below the Goods Guard every after cadre restructuring and Pay Commission. The fireman ‘A’ under III CPC have the scale of Rs. 290/- - 350/- , like the Goods Guard whose scale was Rs. 290/- - 430/-. On account of cadre restructuring in the year 1983 the Goods Guard Pay scales were raised to Rs. 330/- - 560/-, where as fireman ‘A’ remaining at Rs 290/- - 350/-. The 4th CPC allowed a scale of Rs. 1200/- -2040/- to Goods Guard, where as ALP were allowed with a Pay scale of only Rs. 950/- - 1500/-, equal to Asst. Guard/Brakes-man. The 5th CPC raised the Goods Guard scale to Rs. 4500/- - 7000/-, but for ALP it was Rs. 3050/- -4590/-as a consequence, the ALP grade Pay come to Rs. 1900/-, just Rs. 100/- more than the lowest post. Where as Goods Guard, who were stood in a lower scale than ALP in prior 1973 and in pay with ALP prior 1983, now allowed with a grade pay of 2800/-.

In all these years we are continuously pointed out this position and the miserable condition of the pay packet of ALP. It may be noted that the responsibility, and skill, attached to the post of ALP has drastically increased year after year from 1973. But still no improvement in their pay packet was done to ALP.




The rate of Running allowances and different compensatory allowances should also be formulated without any further delay based on new Pay, relised classification of city and T.A there upon and the appropriate Pay element i.e. 60% as demanded and justified by us. (Pending decision on 60% Pay element the existing 30% may be taken into the consideration). The rate of Running allowance should also be effective from 01.01.2006.

Taking all these into consideration, the opinion and views expressed by its members, we are constrained to organize some Trade Union programmes in order to call the attention of the Ministry of Railway and Government of India to our grievances, which needs to be resolved amicably and satisfactorily.

The programmes are as follows.

1. Demand day duly wearing badge on 23rd Dec. 08
2. 36hrs. Hunger Strike in front of all DRM Office 29th Dec’2008
3. Rally to Rail Bhawan on 6th Feb’ 2009
4. In case failing to get Justice ever after repeated submission of grievances and drawing the attention of Government the Association may be constrained to go for a painful direct action

2. The CWC has also resolved to nominate Sri. M. N. Prasad to act as Secretary General in place of Com, S. K. Dhar till next BGM who died on 15th September 2008.

We hope that your goodself will settle the issues amicably before the situation goes to the level where the Association may be forced to resort these painful agitations.



With kind regards,





M. N. Prasad
Act. Secy. General

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Dharna at Bangalore- Hindu report

Karnataka - Bangalore

Shifting of crew booking depot to SGT opposed



Staff Reporter








— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Unanimous opposition: Members of South Western Railway Mazdoor Union and their family members demonstrating in front of the Divisional Railway Manager’s office in Bangalore on Friday.

BANGALORE: Members of various Railway trade unions along with their families staged a dharna in front of the Divisional Railway Manager’s Office of South Western Railway here on Friday protesting the administration’s decision to shift the crew booking depot to the Satellite Goods Terminal (SGT), Whitefield.

The unions said they had earlier agreed to the administration’s proposal to shift the existing depot from Byappanahalli as the Goods Yard was being closed. It was agreed to relocate the depot at Krishnarajapuram, which was well connected by road and rail, the unions said. However, the Chief Operations Manager, SWR, Hubli, took a unilateral decision to shift the depot to SGT, the areas surrounding which were highly polluted due to frequent loading and unloading activities, the unions alleged.

The main objections against the proposal were: SGT is far away from the locations where the staff were residing; the terminal was a loading and unloading centre for cement, fertilizers and other commodities and hence the area was highly polluted; there was no proper connectivity either by rail or by road even during daytime to SGT; basic amenities are not available at SGT and there were not enough residential quarters if the staff intended to stay near SGT.

On the other hand, Krishnarajapuram would have been convenient for the crew in many respects, the unions said.

K.V. Raghavendra, divisional secretary, South Western Railway Mazdoor Union; K.N. Rao, vice-president, Nairuthya Railway Employees’ Sangh; C. Sunish, general secretary, All-India Loco Running Staff Association and other leaders addressed the members.

The members took a unanimous decision to reject the proposal to shift the crew booking depot to SGT and said any further move by the administration in this regard would result in disruption of train services.








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AILRSA Central Working Committee

AILRSA central working committee meeting held at Ghaziabad from 17 to 18th November to discus the stock of situation. Com. L Mony presided over the meeting. Com. MN Prasad, Com. NB Dutta, Com. Sajeet Sarkar, Com. KC James , Com. C. Sunish were attended among many other CWC members. The leaders of the ALP meeting at Nagpur on 07.11.08 were also attended and express their views.
The meeting decided to conduct the following action programs.
1. Demands Day 23.12.2008. members to wear demnd badges and conduct gate meetings.
2. A 36 hours Hunger Fast in front of all DRM's office from 29.12.08
3. Regional Conventions
Ludhiana NR 13.01.09
Varanasi NER 15.01.09
Howrah SE/ER 16.01.09
Nagpur SEC/CR 18.01.09
Bombay CR/WR 19.01.09
Vijayawada SCR 21.01.09
Bangalore SR/SWR 22.01.09

4.MASS RALLY and Dharna in front of RAIL BHAVAN on 06.02.09
5. If the issues are not settled INDEFINITE STRIKE from 01.04.09 duly issuing strike notice as per ID act.

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Joint Dharna at Bangalore

All the trade unions of LOCO RUNNING STAFF and GUARD’s ; South Western Railway Mazdur Union, Nairuthya Railway Employees Sangh,All India Loco Running Staff Association and Indian Railway Loco Runningman Orgnisation jointly conducted a Family Dharna in front of Divisional Railway Manager’s office, Bangalore from 1100hrs to 1700hrs. Around 400 members and their family attended.
The main Demand is as follows:-
The existing Crew Booking depot, Baiyappanahalli needs to be shifted due to closing of Goods yard and for opening of a new coaching Terminal at Baiyappanhalli.
The divisional administration discussed with organized labour and came to a conclusion to shift this Depot to Krishnarajapuram, which is convenient with all respects. But the Chief Operations manager, SWR, Hubli unilaterally taken a decision to shift the crew booking depot to Satellite Goods Terminal (SGT) near to Whitefield.
The main objections against these proposals are:-
1. SGT is far away from the locations where the staffs are presently residing.
2. SGT is a loading and unloading centre for cement, fertilizers and other commodities and hence it is highly polluted area.
3. SGT is not having proper Railway and Road connectivity even during day time.
4. SGT is not having School, Medical and other basic amenities.
5. SGT is not having sufficient number Railway Quarters for staying.
On the other hand we propose Krishnarajapuram (KJM) as most suitable and proper place for a Crew Booking point. The advantages are:-
1. KJM is well connected at all time by train and bus.
2. Residential area is located nearby KJM.
3. Above the present station building Crew Booking Office can be constructed.
4. KJM is located centrally and near to Bangalore, Sevanagar, Bangalore cantonment and Yeshwanthpur where large number of running staff residing.
The program was addressed by :-
1.K.V.RAGHAVENDRA, Divisional Secretary ,SWRMU
2.K.N.RAO , Vice President ,NRMS
3.P.S.K. MOHAMMAD, General Secretary, IRLRO
4.C. SUNISH , General Secretary, AILRSA
5.S.RAMAMURTHY , AGS , SWRMU
6.CHANNABASAPA , Divisional Secretary, NRMS


A unanimous decision was taken to out rightly reject the proposal to shift the crew booking depot to SGT , and further move by the administration in this regard will disrupt the train service.

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Discussion with MemberStaff, Railway Baord

AILRSA Central delegation under the leadership of Com. MN Prasad, Acting Secretary General and comprising of Com. L Mony, Com. JS Tank, Com. NB Dutta, Com. N Sarkar, Com. Sanjeet Sarkar and Com. C. Sunish met Member Staff, Railway Board at Parliament Bhavan, on 17.11.08 in presence of Com. Basudeb Acharia MP, as the Minister of Railways and Chairman Railway Board were out of New Delhi.
The discussion with Member Staff was very nice and cordial. In which we could able to present our grievances on the recommendation of 6th CPC and its implementation. We expressed our serious resentment of the pay packet allowed to ALP, in spite of ample reasons are there to give a better pay packet what was offered by 6th CPC. The member Staff also agreed to our point and informed as that Railway Board also viewed the issue seriously and sympathetically and assured some thing within the frame work will be done to settle the grievances of ALP’s, but did not spell out what exactly the Railway Board would do . Any how we placed our views clearly before him.

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Demonstration in Western Railway

In the Western Railway - Mumbai HQ at Churchgate the demonstration was organised by AILRSA & AIGC as per the guidelines received from centre. Memorandums were submitted to the AGM, COM, CPO(IR), CME, CRSE and other officers.
In the Central Railway - Mumbai HQ at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus the program was observed by AILRSA & AIGC with over whelming response from the Loco Running Staff.
Mahesh N. Pandya
Zonal Working President - AILRSA Western Railway.

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GM Office march at SCR-

In south central Railway the AILRSA zonal demonstration held on 11-NOV-2008 in front of GM's office,Rail nilayam, Secunderabad was massive & very successful. More than 300 Loco men have participated. They held the AILRSA flags, banners, play cards displaying demands and chanted slogans in support of their demands. They demanded 1.Grade pay of Rs.2800/- to ALPs;Rs.4200/-to LP(Shg);Rs.4600/-to LP(Goods);Rs.4600/-to LP(Pass);Rs.5400/-to LP(Mail& Express);Rs.5400/-to Loco Inspectors.2.Upward revision of pay element to 75%and 60% for retirement& service benefits respectively from the present 55%&30% respectively.3.Extension of Special allowance to all Loco men.4.Appointment of Judicial committee to review HOER. The ALPs have participated in large numbers in making the demonstration a grand success. A memorandum was submitted to the General Manager S.C.Railway. The LUNCH HOUR Meeting was addressed by Com.T. Hanumaiah Joint Secretary General AILRSA, K. Suryakumar Zonal President S.C.Zone Ch. Narasimha Zonal Working President, S.Gurumurthy central office bearer,V.K .Kutty Gen.Sec.& M.K. Shaji Jt. Sec .K.Ramakrishna BZA divn;K. prasad GNT Divn.S. Raghavendra rao GTL.and many others spoke. The demonstration and the speakers have highlighted the grave injustice to the loco men in general and Assistant Loco Pilot in particular,in allotment of pay scales by 6 th CPC and demanded immediate action to allot Grade Pay as demanded by AILRSA

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GM office march on 11.11.08

Press Matter for the favour of Publication

As part of all India program, AILRSA South Western Railway has conducted a massive rally consisting of more than 200 Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots from Hubli platform to the General Managers Office. Com. P Vijaya Kumar, Vice President, AILRSA, Southern Railway, Com. C. Sunish, General Secretary, AILRSA , South Western Railway, Com. SD Arnold, President, South Western Railway, Com. A Jayachandran, Working President South Western Railway have addressed and lead the demonstration. Members of AILRSA shouted slogans against the retrograde recommendations of 6th Central Pay Commission.
After reaching general managers office leaders have submitted a detailed memorandum addressed to Honorable Railway Minister through General Manager South western railway with the following demands
Demands
1) Up grade the post of ALP with grade pay of Rs.2800/-.
2) Considering functional differences allot distinct grade pays.
3) Allow 55 and 30% pay element pending revision to 75and 60%.
4) Additional allowance be extended to all Loco Running Staff.
5) Appoint Judicial review committee as HOER as agreed to.

A Zonal Convention was held at PRAKASH RESTAURANT ,Hubli at 14.00 hours to educate the running staff about the anomalies of 6th CPC.
The program was inaugurated by Com. S Prasannakumar, President NREU.
Com. SD Arnold, Com. P Vijay Kumar, Com. C. Sunish, Com. A Jayachandran, Com. AH Ayee, Insurance Employees union, etc have addressed the gathering.

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AILRSA met Sri Basudeb Acharia MP at Koppal

Sri Basudeb Acharia MP, Chairman Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways came to Gangavathy near by Koppal to attend campaigning meeting against Terrorism along with Sri VJK Nair, State Secretary CPI(M).

A delegation comprising of Sri Rajesh K, Zonal Treasurer, AILRSA, Sri. KT Achari, Chief Crew Controller, Hospet, Sri Ajai Das,Crew Controller Hospet,Sri Shibu, Loco Pilot Goods, Hospet and Sri Pradep Kumar Das, Assistant Loco Pilot Hubli met Sri Basudeb Acharia and submitted a detailed memorandum after appraising him the need of IMPROVING THE PAY SCALE OF ASSISTANT LOCO PILOTS. He assured that the grievances will be forwarded to Sri Lalu Prasad Yadav, Honorable Railway Minister for consideration.

There is a GM office march by AILRSA on 11.11.08 at 10.00 hrs starting from Crew booking lobby Hubli.
Demands
1) Up grade the post of ALP with grade pay of Rs.2800/-.
2) Considering functional differences allot distinct grade pays.
3) Allow 55 and 30% pay element pending revision to 75and 60%.
4) Additional allowance be extended to all Loco Running Staff.
5) Appoint Judicial review committee as HOER as agreed to.




ZONAL CONVENTION
At PRAKASH RESTAURANT
At 14.00 hrs
Inauguration: Com. S. Prasanna Kumar,
President, NREU, State Secretary CITU

Key Note Address: Com. KAS MANI,
All India Vice President ,AILRSA

Other Speakers
Com. Vijay Kumar, South Zone Vice President
Com. SD Arnold, Zonal President
Com. C. Sunish, General Secretary.

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Memorandum Prepared to Submit through CMPE/CELE

Respected Sir,

The entire Assistant Loco Pilots are aggrieved by the low pay packet allowed to them by the 6th CPC.

It may please be noted that at the minimum of the 5th CPC basic pay for ALP ie., Rs. 3050, the total pay as on 01.01.2006 comes to Rs. 6460 as pay band . Where as the minimum pay band fixed as on 01.01.2006 was Rs. 5830 according to section II of Railway Service (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008, notified vide CSR No. 643E dated : 04.09.2008.

There is a reduction of Rs. 630 in grade pay alone with corresponding reduction in other allowances such as Dearness Relief, HRA etc.

It is also there grievances that inspite of a higher recruitment qualification of Matriculation + ITI, preferably Diploma in Engineering, 9 months intensive training before absorption, higher medical standard and high responsibility attached to post than any post which carried a pay scale Rs. 3050 – 4590, under 5th CPC as of ALP had been allowed with higher pay by the 6th CPC.

The following posts which carried a pay scale of Rs. 3050 – 4590 as of ALP were upgraded by 6th CPC to Rs. 4500 – 7000 with a grade pay of Rs. 2800 .

The case of Asst. Class II in Calcutta mint under Ministry of Finance in pay scale of Rs. 3050 – 4590 were upgraded to Rs. 4500 – 7000 with a grade pay of Rs.2800.

There initial pay band on 01.01.2006 will be Rs. 8560 according to Section II of RS (Revised Pay) Rules in PBI with a grade pay of Rs. 2800. And the total pay will be 8560 + 2800 = 11,360, where as the ALP will stand at 5830 + 1900 = 7730 as on 01.01.2006. A huge difference of Rs. 3630 in the pay packet besides corresponding difference in DA, HRA etc.

More over thousands of post which carried a scale of Rs. 3050 – 4590 under various Ministries were upgraded to Rs. 3200 – 4900 ie PBI + Rs. 2000 as grade pay, which are:-




1. Constable under Home Ministry as Railway Ministry, CBI, RPF
2. Postmen under Dept. of post
3. Leading Fireman of firefighting force
4. Mail guard in Railway mail service
5. Navik in Coast Guard
6. Assistant Class II in Govt. mint.
7. Notice server in department of Revenue
8. Carpenter in film division
9. Forest guards.

Their pay will be fixed in the pay band I at Rs. 6460 with a grade pay of Rs.2000 which comes to a total pay packet of Rs. 8460 where as ALP with a pay band of Rs. 5830 + grade pay of Rs. 1900 will come upto Rs. 7730 only, lesser by Rs. 700.

It may noted that the entry qualification, initial training period, the medical standard and responsibility attached to the post of Asst. Loco Pilot are much higher than the above mentioned posts.

It may also be noted that under the Central Govt. service / Railway Service which have an entry grade pay of Rs. 1900, the percentage of posts in that grade is less than 15% where as in the Loco Running Cadre,ie Asst. Loco Pilot is 40% and more of the total cadre strength. It may also be noted that out of the total ALP posts, a meager 30% posts are in Rs. 4000 – 7000 (under 5th CPC) which were allowed with pay band I+Grade pay of Rs. 2400. It would have been increased to 80% to settle some grievances. In this case also the entry pay in the revised pay for direct recruits appointed on or after 01.01.2006 will be fixed at Rs. 7510 in P.B.I with a grade pay of Rs. 2800, where as ALP with a grade pay pf 1900 in P.B.I never get the entry pay in Pay band at Rs. 7510 when promoted to grade pay of Rs. 2400.

In the case of Asst. Loco Pilot the entry qualification is matriculation + ITI and shall posses the AYE-ONE medical standard which is the highest prescribed in Indian Railway Medical Manual and one which is prescribed for Air Line Pilots. He has to pass psychological test too.

Apart from the above they have to undergo 13 months vigorous training they have to study general rules, subsidiary rules and various special instructions on normal working, attending failure of signals and communication equipments, during natural calamities etc. They have to acquire technical knowledge of working and trouble shooting of various locomotives in A.C and diesel traction including imported computer controlled new


generation locos. Gain an intimate knowledge of the terrain in the concerned sections, the UP and Down gradients, curves, bridges, L.C. gates, Ray-out of station yards and signals including sidings. In the OHE sections, when ever there is a problem pertaining to ‘OHE, ALP has to attend and secure the wire along with the LP. His duty is much related with public safety and therefore subjected to stringent punishments for every omission from his past and always visits with removal / dismissal same as in the case of Loco Pilots.

The working conditions, longer working hours, unscheduled rosters, subjected to the climatic fury and isolation from family and relatives and so on, do not have any comparison to that of any similarly placed posts.

In nut shell the post of ALP deserve a much wider difference than Rs. 100 which is now existing between the lowest pay and also deserve a better pay than the pay structure allotted to other cadre who have the entry qualification of ITI. There fore it is apt to upgrade the post of Asst. Loco Pilot to the grade of Rs. 4500 – 7000(5th CPC scale) and to corresponding P.B.I + Rs. 2800 with entry pay in Pay band at Rs. 8560 as per section II of Railway Service (Revised pay Rules -2008). Besides the pay band and grade pay of Loco Running Staff may be modified at least as under.

Fireman (FM) II PBI + GP. Rs. 2400/-
FMI /Asst. Loco Pilot PBI + GP. Rs. 2800/-
Loco Pilot (Shunting) PB2 +GP. Rs. 4200/-
Loco Pilot (Goods) PB2 +GP. Rs. 4600/-
Loco Pilot (Passenger) PB2 +GP. Rs. 4800/-
Loco Pilot (Mail) PB2 +GP. Rs. 5400/-
Loco Inspector PB2 +GP. Rs. 5400/-

Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,

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Committee by RB for pay anomalies

Having come to know that Railway Board has constituted a committee of Additional Member Mechanical and Additional Member Electrical primarily to look in to the grievances of Loco Inspectors and at the same time sort information about ALP and other running staff pay scale anomalies , Com. T Hanumaiah, Joint Secretary General, AILRSA, instructed all Zonal leaders to meet SLI Running HQ, CMPE R&L , and CELE of the respective Zonal Railway to represent our pay anomalies and submit a detailed memorandum. AILRSA SR, SCR, and SWR submitted our views to the concerned officers to include the report to railway board.

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Govt Decition to Stop EPF commutation

CITU Protest Unilateral Cut in Pension Benifits

31st October 2008

Dear Shri Fernandes,

I am forwarding herewith the copy of the letter dated 31st October 2008 addressed to you by W R Varada Rajan, Secretary and CITU’s nominee in the Central Board of Trustee (CBT) of EPFO protesting unilateral decision of the Govt making adverse changes in the Employees Pension Scheme without consulting the CBT as notified by EPFO Circular letter dated 16th October 2008 and Gazette notifications GSR nos 688(E) to 690(E) dated 26th September 2008.

The Employees Pension Scheme meant for providing pension to the workers has been altered to the advantage of the employers and the Govt to perpetrate a sharp reduction in the pension benefits of the workers and simultaneously to provide relief to the defaulting employers; and such novel exercise has been done unilaterally ignoring the tripartite Central Board of Trustee and the workers’ representatives in particular. There was no decision in the CBT on any of these changes nor any of these issues was ever brought before the CBT for a structured discussion. This is totally deplorable.

The unilateral changes in the Employees Pension Scheme pertain to downward revision in the rates of damages to be levied on the defaulting employers to their advantage on the one hand and drastic reduction of pension-related benefit of the workers on the other in respect of 1) early pension (below 58 years), 2) withdrawal of commutation facility and 3) withdrawal of the option for availing combination of reduced pension and return of capital. In essence, all the beneficial options for the workers were withdrawn besides reducing the pension amount for the early-pensioners and the defaulting employers are rewarded with relief for the default and finally the hard-earned savings of the workers in pension fund is going to foot the bill for such anti-worker retrograde exercises.

The brazenly pro-employer bias of the Government is also noted from the fact that while the Govt is in haste to alter the Employees Pension Scheme in order to reward the defaulting employers and curtail the pension benefit of the workers completely ignoring the tripartite CBT, the unanimous recommendation of CBT for reducing the threshold limit for coverage of EPF &MP Act 1952 from the existing limit of establishment employing 20 workers to establishment employing 10 workers is gathering dust with the Govt sitting tight on the unanimous recommendation of the tripartite forum thereby reducing tripartism to mockery.

CITU opposes such a pro-employer bias of the Govt and urges upon the Govt to rescind all the three unilateral and anti-worker changes made in the Employees Pension Scheme revoking the concerned Gazette notifications. There should not be any unilateral alteration in the Employees Pension Scheme without ensuring a consensus with the Central Trade Unions and the tripartite forum, With regards,

Yours sincerely,

(M K Pandhe)
President

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On ALP and Runing Staff Grievances.

On Asst.Loco Pilots & Other Loco Running Staff Grievances.

The pay scales of 1^st Fireman/Asst. Loco Pilot have been distributed of their relativity with that of Guard. The following table indicates how the relativity disturbed to the disadvantage of Asst. Loco Pilots.

CPC	Alp/Fireman	Guard GR. ‘C’	Shunting Jamedar
Ist CPC	RS. 75-105	Rs. 60-170	Rs. 75-105
IInd CPC	Rs. 125-155	RS. 110-220	Rs. 125-155
IIIrd CPC	RS. 290-350	Rs. 290-430	Rs. 225-350
1983 cadre Restructure	_______	Rs. 330-530	Rs. 330-560
IVth CPC	Rs. 950-1500	Rs. 1200-2040	Rs. 1200-2040
Vth CPC	Rs. 3050-4590	Rs. 4500-7000	Rs. 4000-6000

It is seen till IIIrd pay commission both Asst. Loco Pilot & Guard carries similar scales of pay. There after distortion of relativity has taken place. The Asst. Loco Pilots are demanding the relativity should be restored between ALP and Guard, by bringing ALP into Rs. 2800 grade pay on par with Guard.

In fact ALP deserves higher pay scale than the guard as the ALP knowledge, performance, responsibilities, risk, safety consciousness and medical standards are higher than the guard and in addition to that, the ALP posses the knowledge of different departments technical as well as other wise. The ALP also performs the duties of TXR, Guard, Civil Engineering Staff, TRD, C&W, TRS staff. Trains are run with out Guard but the duties of Guard devolve on the Loco Pilot& ALP thus the ALP discharging the duties of Guard also in addition to his job. Similarly the job of C&W staff, checking of the train is also done by the ALP along with LP. Trouble shooting of Loco, TRD, Track failures and defects on the vehicles are also attended by ALP. The Alp medical fitness is highest ie. AYE ONE and should retain the same till his retirement. The risk involved in discharge of duties is greater than Guard as well as other categories. The ALP has to undergo 18 months initial training in Diesel Mechanical Engineering and Electrical, C&W and G&SR, Besides First Aid and Fire fighting, while the training course of Guard is only 45 days.

The qualification required for ALP was Diploma in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering and accordingly some batches of ALPs were recruited during 1985-1988. As required number of Diploma holders were not coming forward the education standard was revised to that of SSC+ITI with a rider that Diploma holders will be preferred. As a matter of fact even today, in view of the low pitched pay scales many ALPs are leaving the job, preferring out side jobs. In certain cases they are not joining even after giving Posting Orders. Thus should be taken into consideration to ensure pay scales and emoluments of ALP are not less than the Guard, so as to prevent the exodus of Alps to private organizations and other dategories.

In View of this and also the functional differences between various categories of Loco Running Staff, The ALPs and Loco Running Staff demanding the Pay Structure as follows.

category	Vth CPC Scale in Rs.	VI th CPC			Demand of ALP & Loco running staff
		Pay band	Scale in Rs.	Grade Pay in Rs.
Fireman II	2750-4400	PB-I	5200-20200	1800	2400
ALP Gr.II	3050-4590	PB-I	5200-20200	1900	2800
ALP Gr.I	4000-6000	PB-I	5200-20200	1900	2800
LP Shunting Gr.II	4000-6000	PB-I	5200-20200	2400	4200
LP Shunting Gr.I	5000-8000	PB-2	9300-34800	2400	4200
LP Goods Gr.II	5000-8000	PB-2	9300-34800	4200	4600
LP Goods Gr.I	5500-9000	PB-2	9300-34800	4200	4600
LP Pass Gr.II	5500-9000	PB-2	9300-34800	4200	4800
LP Pass Gr.I	6000-9800	PB-2	9300-34800	4200	4800
LP Mail/Exp.	6000-9800	PB-2	9300-34800	4200	5400
Jr.Loco Inspector	6500-10500	PB-2	9300-34800	4600	5400
Sr.Loco Inspector	7450-11500	PB-2	9300-34800	4600	5400

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Railways ill-prepared to handle disasters

NEW DELHI: The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India has picked holes in theDisaster Management System of the Railways, saying the organisation was notprepared to deal with all kinds of disasters.In its performance audit report for the period ended March 2007, the CAG saidthe disaster management plan lacked cohesiveness and was far from comprehensivetaking into account the post-incidence response of the Railways. The Railways failed in rapidly accessing the sites with rescue and reliefequipment and coordinating with private agencies within the “goldenhour”— within the first hour of the accident. AccidentRelief Trains and Accident Relief Medical Vans (ARMVs) reached the site muchbehind the stipulated time in 124 out of the 138 incidents. During the July 11, 2006 bomb blasts aboard seven trains in Mumbai, evenbefore the ARMVs arrived, the victims had been shifted to nearby hospitals byvolunteers. The reason attributed was the absence of a diesel locomotive in thevicinity of 75 km of the Mumbai division capable of running at 100 kmph.Instead, a locomotive with a speed capacity of 45 kmph hauled an ARMV. The delayed arrival of relief trains and equipment delayed restoration workafter 78 out of 109 incidents.Only 25 per cent of the frontline staff were trained to respond in case of adisaster. Training programmes were not held in several divisions and where theexercise was conducted, attendance was poor. Work on track renewal and rehabilitation of bridges and overaged locomotivestaken up under the Special Railway Safety Fund, set up with a corpus of Rs.17,000 crore, was way behind schedule. Twenty-four of the 136 bridges declared distressed were not even listed for repair or rehabilitation.Out of the 110 bridges takenup for repair during 2005-06 and 2006-07 work on 39 were not completed by November 2007. As manyas 321 out of 4,500 diesel locomotieves, 61 out of 3,197 electric locomotivesand 1,229 out of 42,160 coaches had outlived their utility by over 18 years,9 years and 49 years respectively and had not been replaced. The CAG detectedsignal gear falures,which during 2006-07 was as high as 2,08,966.It also pointed out that except for three divisions,there were 8,493 vacancies ofdrivers or motorman cadre in 62 out of 67 divisions of the Indian Railway forcing drivers to perform overtime.

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