NEW DELHI: There’s power in numbers. The Ministry of Railways seems to have cowed down before the might of its employees’ unions as 1,400 staffers have rejected the ministry’s directive to relinquish union posts to focus on safety of passengers.
Worried about increasing train accidents in the last six months, the ministry issued an order on January 30 directing general managers in 17 zonal railways to ensure that supervisors working in safety categories do not serve as union office bearers after March 31.
The order from Deputy Director (Establishment) of the Railway Board Nirmala Tirkey said, “Supervisors working in safety category posts play a pivotal role in ensuring safe running of trains. In the current situation, supervisors need to put in their best effort to ensure that staff working under them are alert at all times as railways works 24x7.”
The order was criticised by all unions, following which the Railway Board extended the last date to June 30.
Sources said the railway ministry may withdraw the order and come to an agreement with the unions. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said a solution is being worked out under the supervision of the Railway Board chairman.
The Left aligned All India Railwaymen’s Federation and the Congress-controlled National Federation of Indian Railwaymen are recognised by the Railways. About 28 railway unions across 17 zonal railways are affiliated to them, and there are many unrecognised railway unions.
“We have told the Board that union members cannot leave their posts, and as there has been no complaints of them not fulfilling their official duties, it is unjust to ask them to leave,” said Shiva Gopal Mishra, general secretary, AIRF.
On November 20, 2016, Indore-Patna Express derailed near Pukhrayan leading to death of 149 passengers. Two passengers were killed when Sealdah-Ajmer Express derailed near Kanpur on December 28, 2016.
Early this year, Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express derailed in Vizianagram district, Andhra Pradesh, killing 39 passengers. On March 3, 2017, a blast ripped through Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train. Eight coaches of the Jabalpur-Nizamuddin Mahakaushal Express derailed in UP on March 30. On April 15, eight coaches of Lucknow-bound Rajya Rani Express derailed in Uttar Pradesh.
The United UNION
The order was criticised by all unions, following which the Railway Board extended the last date to June 30.
Sources said the railway ministry may withdraw the order and come to an agreement with the unions