Upgraded Group ‘D’ posts in scale Rs 3050-4590 in Diesel/Electric Loco/EMU Sheds-reg.

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI -110055

Affiliated to:

Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)

International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

No. I/8/CRC/09/Vol .9 

Dated: 03/03/2014

The Secretary (E),

Railway Board

New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub; Upgraded Group ‘D’ posts in scale Rs 3050-4590 in Diesel/Electric Loco/EMU Sheds-reg.

Ref: (i) NFIR’s letter No. 118/CRC/09/Vol. 9 dated 21/11/2013.

(ii) Railway Board’s letter No. PC-III/2004/DC-JCMJ/11 dated 17/02/2014.

With reference to Railway Board’s reply vide letter dated 17/02/2014 NFIR once again desires to convey facts of the case as below for review:-

(i) Vide para (i) of the Board’s letter, it has been stated that the Railway Board vide its letter dated 28/09/1998, had specifically mentioned that there will be no consequent increase in the number of posts in the grades higher than Rs 3050-4590. NFIR is aware of this ‘rider” imposed by the Railway Board in the year 1998. However, on nine Zonal Railways, these posts were taken as part of cadre strength and granted cadre restructuring w.e.f. 1/11/2003 in diesel/electric Loco/EMU Sheds. Thus it become fate-accompli

(ii) When the Railway Board issued instructions to withdraw the benefit, Federations strongly had protested against such step, consequently the Zonal Railways have not reviewed wherever already implemented to avoid staff agitation.

(iii) Consequent to the implementation of 6th CPC pay structure (Grade Pay & Pay Band) w.e.f. 01/01/2006 the minimum educational qualification for entry into GP Rs 1800/- has been revised as matriculation or above. Whereas in the year 1998, the entry qualification in Diesel/Elec. Loco. EMU Sheds was reduced to 8th standard for Group D’ while placing 50% posts in pay scale Rs 3050-4590 to be filled by those staff who possessed Metric/Act Apprenticeship/ITI. From these facts, it could be seen that entry qualification for Group ‘D’ posts prior to September 1998 in Diesel/Electric Loco, EMU Sheds was Metric/ITI/Act Apprenticeship. Having allowed cadre restructuring from 01/11/2003 duly taking upgraded Helper posts into consideration and having granted benefit of restructuring/promotion with effect from November, 2003, it would be improper to quote Board’s letter dated 28/09/1998 for denying benefit. Railway Board instead sticking to illogical stand should realistically analyse the issue for rendering justice to the technical staff working in Diesel/Electric Loco/EMU Sheds. It may be noted that these staff belong to sensitive categories.

(iv) Incidentally, NFIR desires to point out that while in all Technical Departments, promotion quota for Technician Grade III has been 50%, surprisingly in of Diesel/Electric Loco/EMU Sheds. the promotion quota was only 20% thus career growth of Helpers was blocked since the past over 15 years.

(v) If the Railway Board is not satisfied with the valid points mentioned above, a meeting with the MM & ML may be arranged at the earliest. It may also be noted that there is atmosphere of agitation among staff of Diesel/Electric Loco/EMU Sheds against Board’s restructuring orders dated 08/10/2013, as on many zones, the staff may not get promotion benefit. NFIR is keen to avoid agitation and dislocation and equally expects the Railway Board to respond for resolving the issue.

Federation therefore requests to review the matter without delay.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

Source:http://www.nfirindia.com/Index.aspx

Decision on railwaymen’s indefinite strike on February 17

The national trade unions of railwaymen will decide on February 17 whether or not to go ahead with the proposed indefinite general strike to press for implementation of various long-standing demands.

Though railwaymen across the country had overwhelmingly voted in favour of a direct agitation during the ‘strike ballot’ held nationwide last month, the crucial decision on launching a general strike that could cripple railway operations is due to be taken at the meeting scheduled at Kota, Rajasthan, said N. Kanniah, general secretary of the Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU), which is affiliated to the All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF).

The AIRF and the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen are the two parent trade unions representing an estimated 1.3 million railwaymen. The charter of demands include scrapping of the new pension scheme, filling up of vacancies, better working conditions for loco running staff and constitution of the Seventh Pay Commission.

Though the Railway Board had offered to negotiate on Railway-specific demands at meetings held over January 16 and 17 in Delhi, the AIRF leadership has taken the view that some of the key demands such as merger of DA with basic pay and guaranteed pension scheme in place of new pension scheme, could only be resolved by Government of India, Mr. Kanniah said. The union leadership feels that the Railway Ministry needs to facilitate negotiations with the Centre in order to avert the strike, he said.

It may be recalled that during the strike ballot, over 96 per cent of railwaymen in the country voted in favour of an indefinite general strike.

In the six divisions across Southern Railway, 86.8 per cent of railwaymen endorsed the strike plan.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com

Railway Board is scheduled to meet the representatives of the two leading Railway Union on January 15 and 16.

This is after one of the two leading Unions-All India Railwaymen Federation conducted a strike ballot on December 20 and 21 across seventeen zones of the Indian Railway.

The other prominent one called the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen is planning to conduct a strike ballot on January 17 and 18 across the country.

The permanent negotiating machinery chaired by the Member Staff of the Railway board will hear the demands of the Unions.The Unions have threatened a strike in February 2014 if their demands are not addressed.

Earlier the strike ballot planned in September 2013 was deferred as the seventh pay commission was announced. However, senior leaders of the Railway Union have said that their other major demands which include abolishing new pension scheme and addressing the anomalies arising out of the sixth pay commission have remain unaddressed.

Modified ACP Scheme (MACPS) for Railway employees- clarification – reg.

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 055
Affiliated to:
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

No.IV/NFIR/MACPS/09/Pt.7 

                                   Dated: 29.07.2013

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi.

Dear Sir,
 
            Sub:   Modified ACP Scheme (MACPS) for Railway employees- clarification –  reg.
           
            Ref:     Railway Board’s letter No. PC-V/2009/ACP/2 dated 31.01.2013.
                                         —————
            NFIR has come across a case wherein the Railway Board has totally changed the clarification issued by the DoP & T detrimental to the interest of Railway employees though the Railway Board Claims to be acting on the advise of the DoP & T,the nodal authority in so far as allowing financial upgradation under MACP Scheme is concerned. To prove its contention, NFIR is furnishing below the details of the case for proper appreciation of the issue: