NFIR’s Decision on Strike Notice – taken up by Honarable Minister of Railways in Lok Sabha.
Respected Railwaymen & Women,
Dt: 21.08.2013
NFIR, during its working committee meeting held at New Delhi on 30-31st May 2013 put forth 36 demands to be redressed immediately failing which the Railwaymen shall be constrained to go for a strike. On 24th June 2013 during the Steering Committee Meeting held at Mumbai a threadbare review was again done on the demands made during the Working Committee Meeting at New Delhi and it was then and there decided to conduct a “Strike Ballot” in the event of the demands not being met.
HONESTY LEADS TO HEIGHTS: NFIR known for its legacy of putting relentless efforts when it comes to the welfare of Railwaymen, did not stop with this but went one step ahead than any other federation, when GS/NFIR addressed a letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and Minister of Railways on 28th June 2013 with the list of demands and cautioning them of repercussions in the event of demands not being fulfilled. Once again the ethics of NFIR were evident in these letters wherein it gave a considerable time (four months i.e., upto October 2013) to the Government to resolve the demands. NFIR does not believe in hoodwinking the railwaymen and women neither by misleading nor by misinterpreting the facts but believes only in protecting the interests and welfare of Railwaymen through honest and dedicated working.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 897
ANSWERED ON 08.08.2013
STRIKE BY RAILWAY EMPLOYEES
897 . Shri GURUDAS DAS GUPTA
R. THAMARAISELVAN
P. LINGAM
S. RAMASUBBU
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the All India Railwaymen’s Federation and National Federation of Indian Railwaymen have threatened to go on an indefinite strike in case their demands are not met;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the reaction of the Railways thereto and the manner in which the Railways propose to address the situation so as to prevent such strike?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY)
(a) and (b): All India Railwaymen’s Federation (A.I.R.F.) and National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (N.F.I.R.) have made numerous demands. Some of the demands are setting up of VIIth Central Pay Commission, abolition of New Pension Scheme, merger of Dearness Allowance with Pay, filling up of all vacant posts, implementation of the report of Joint Committee for career growth of Track Maintainer, reduction in duty hours of staff. While A.I.R.F. have indicated that if their grievances are not resolved in a time bound programme, the Federation would be compelled to conduct strike ballot as a first step. N.F.I.R. have decided to give a time of four months to the Government for satisfactorily settling their demands failing which the Federation will be compelled to give call for ‘Indefinite Strike’ on Railways.
(c): Some of the demands like setting up of VIIth Central Pay Commission, abolition of New Pension Scheme, Merger of Dearness Allowance with Pay which are not within the purview of Ministry of Railways are being considered for referring to concerned Ministries/ Departments. In accordance with Government’s policy, other demands of the Federations are given due consideration within the framework of existing rules and financial constraints, and action as considered necessary is taken.
Source: http://www.nfirindia.org/Index.aspx