Address by Lok Raj Sangathan (Maharashtra Samiti) and Kamgar Ekta Chalval, 18 July 2010.
Days before 26th January 2010, the motormen had given a notice about a one day strike. This was done in accordance with the laws of the country. At that time, the government had promised that it would immediately start discussion on the demands of the motormen. This was why the motormen called off their strike on 26th January.
Brothers and sisters,
The railway establishment has once again betrayed the southern and central motormen (drivers of the local) with full support from the Central and State government.
You may remember that on 3rd May, these motormen had started their hunger stike, . The struggle was against their regressing working conditions. At that time, the government used the media to depict the motormen as inconsiderate and uncooperative. The leaders of the motormen were also threatened with the loss of their jobs if the struggle continued. In the leaflet sent out before, we had elaborated that the struggle and demands of the motormen are completely justified. But the establishment, meaning the central and state government is constantly betraying the motormen by making false promises.
Days before 26th January 2010, the motormen had given a notice about a one day strike. This was done in accordance with the laws of the country. At that time, the government had promised that it would immediately start discussion on the demands of the motormen. This was why the motormen called off their strike on 26th January.
On 28th January 2010, the establishment declared that a Samiti would be formed within two days time with immediate focus on the problems of the motormen. But, the Samiti was finally only formed on 15th February, 2010.
Then the establishment declared that within two months time that is by 15th of April, 2010 the suggestions of this Samiti would be declared. But this did not happen till 15th April. The motormen then gave a notice about their 3rd May plan to the government in accordance with the law.
Instead of an apology for constantly breaking their promises, the government turned around and attacked the motormen! Even so, the 3rd May plan of the motormen was successful and the transportation of Mumbai city stopped for a day. 40,000 members of All-India Loco Running Association from various parts of the country showed support to these thousand motormen and took various steps to help. Drivers of Mail, Express, Passenger, Goods train and local drivers of metro cities are members of this organization. Excessive burden of work, regressing conditions of work, and wages not being given according to work are also problems faced by them.
In the face of this unity, the central and state government along with the railway establishment gave word in Parliament that by June 15 the matter would be sorted out. But once again, this promise too proved a lie. The government took no steps to improve the conditions of work, nor did it convey its concern to the motormen for their pain and suffering. According to the news the Samiti formed on 15th February 2010, has not met even once with the representatives of the motormen.
News has also arrived that the establishment is training other drivers secretly, so that if the motormen go on strike, their strike can be broken! But, this action is against the rules of the railway administration, according to which “Only a person with complete training and in good physical and mental condition should be allowed to driver the local”. This way the establishment is making a plan to put the lives of the 50 lakh people who travel by local everyday in jeopardy.
The brave motormen are not accepting defeat. They are planning the next stage of the struggle. They are convinced that the government and establishment cannot be depended on. They know that the struggle against anti-worker policies can only be won if unity is forged between other rail workers and the hardworking people of Mumbai.
Down with the anti-worker policies of the railway establishment!
Long live the unity of the central and southern railway motormen, railway workers and all toilers!