Rail union call to set up panel
NewIndpress Dec 29, 2005
SOUTHERN NEWS - TAMIL NADU
COIMBATORE: The Southern Railway Employees' Sangh (SRES), on Wednesday, adopted a resolution demanding the Union government to constitute a committee for the sixth pay commission.
At the Divisional Executive Committee Meeting (DEC) of the Sangh, V Arumugam, President of SRES, said that the Employees? Sangh in association with other unions would enter into an indefinite strike from February 25, 2006, if the Centre refuses to accept their demands.
However, a two-day referendum would be conducted by all the unions to study the opinion of the employees from January 6, with regard to the strike, he said. The Sangh President urged the employees not to fall for false promises.
Briefing on the issue, he said the Centre would try to dismantle the unity of the unions by promising employment to the children of the members by branding them as "loyal workers", who in turn would be forced to boycott the strikes.
In the meeting, the Sangh members also condemned the Centres decision to bring down the interest rate of Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
Furthermore, the Sangh urged the Union government to fill the vacancies in Railway department, so as to reduce the heavy work burden on the existing employees. Besides, employees of all the Centre-run establishments, as per the decision of the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM), would enter into an indefinite strike from the aforesaid date, Arumugam stated adding that the Government was planning to cut down the existing staff strength.
On the proposed new Salem Railway Division, several employees who took part in the DEC meeting, implored the Railway Ministry to appoint officials who would act with due consideration for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu rather than several existing top notch officials, who were neglecting the interests of the State.
Addressing the employees, P S Rajaram, Secretary of Erode line branch of the Sangh, said the Division authorities were shifting the parcel office in Erode junction from its existing location to the railway residential colony without any worthwhile motive.
Condemning the move, Rajaram said the members of the Sangh would stage a demonstration if the officials at the higher rung proceed with the plan of shifting the parcel office.