Minister statement In Rajyasabha

STATEMENT OF SRI. E AHAMED, Minister of State for Railways regarding agitation of Motormen of Central and Western Railways, Mumbai in Rajya Sabha, the 4th May 2010.
Sir, the Motormen of Central and Western Railway through their Joint Action Forum have been agitating for higher pay and allowances and other benefits for some time. They have given a notice for Hunger Strike from 06.00 hours of 3rd May 2010.
The Motormen are demanding higher pay than recommended by the 6th Central Pay Commission and additional allowances which are not in recommendations of the Central Pay Commission. A fast Track Committee is looking in to their demands and is expected to submit its report by 15.06.2010. Further action on the issues would require consultation with and approval of the Ministry Of Finance.
The Joint Action Forum of Motormen is not affiliated to any of the Recognised Federations, Unions or Associations of the Railways. The Motormen have also approached the Regional Labour Commissioner, Mumbai who has already initiated the Conciliation proceedings. In its conciliation meeting held on 29.04.10, The Regional Labour Commissioner (RLC) has adviced the concerned employees not to resort to protest w.e.f. 03.05.2010 and had fixed the next date for further discussion on 12.05.2010. Any precipitative action taken during the conciliatory proceedings is unlawful under Industrial Disputes Act. On account of disruption of suburban train services on 03.05.2010 fresh conciliation proceedings are taking place today ie 04.05.2010.
The Railways is having the best of Industrial relations with its 14 lakh employees. All major decisions are taken in consultation with the recognized Federations. In the present case, the Recognised Federations have not supported the agitation of the joint Action Forum.
Railways regret the inconvenience caused to the people of Mumbai and would like to assure that all steps are being taken to Normalize the situation at the earliest.