South Western Railway Employees Protest Outsourcing, Seek Filling of Vacancies

A memorandum listing employee demands was submitted to the South Western Railway General Manager after members of the South Western Railway Mazdoor Union (SWRMU) staged a protest in Hubballi.

Protest against outsourcing

The protest was held on October 14 in front of the General Manager’s office at Rail Soudha on Gadag Road. The demonstration took place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and was preceded by a procession from the union’s main office.

Railway employees and union members from the Hubballi, Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Workshop divisions participated in the demonstration. The SWRMU opposed outsourcing and privatisation of core railway activities, particularly in the Electrical, Mechanical, Signal and Telecommunication, and Commercial departments.

The union said additional posts were needed for Station Masters, ticket-checking staff, and employees in the Traction Distribution, Signal and Telecommunication, Carriage and Wagon, and electrical and diesel shed sections. It also sought the filling of vacancies across all departments of South Western Railway.

Demands linked to promotions and transfers

The union called for the early conduct of pending General Departmental Competitive Examinations and Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations. It said the examinations were needed to facilitate promotions and career progression.

Other demands included expediting inter-railway transfer requests, particularly those made on spouse grounds. The union also sought time-bound action on the long-pending employee grievances raised during the protest.

Facilities and pending grievances

The SWRMU demanded improved facilities and maintenance in running rooms and ticket-checking staff rest rooms. It called for the timely supply of quality protective equipment, including shoes, raincoats, water bottles, and torches, to eligible staff.

The union further sought regular inspection and maintenance of railway colonies and the resolution of the long-pending grievances of track maintainers. It also demanded a revision of outpatient department timings at railway hospitals.

Addressing the protesters, SWRMU general secretary K.V. Raghavendra, zonal president M. Nagendran, and other union leaders highlighted staff shortage, delays in departmental examinations and promotions, and unresolved service-related issues. They urged the railway administration to take time-bound action on the demands.

Source: The Hindu