Title - Flash strike by loco pilots in Madurai affects passengers - The Times of India

MADURAI: The sudden flash strike called by the Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU) loco running staff wing over anomalies in the working roster on Monday morning, left hundreds of passengers stranded at the Madurai Junction station and three trains were delayed due to the strike.

The strike started after the Chennai-bound Guruvayur Express reached Madurai Junction by 11 am. After halting the train, the loco pilots alighted from the locomotive and started raising slogans against the railway authorities over anomalies in the roster. They refused to operate the train and shortly after that the Mumbai - Nagercoil Express which reached Madurai was also stopped at the junction. The two trains were halted in the station for nearly two hours.

Many of the passengers initially were not aware the reason for the delay and were confused. It was after some time that they came to know about the flash strike. Maheswari from Tirunelveli, who was travelling with her children to Chennai said, "I took the day train so that I can reach Chennai by evening. I am worried that I may end up reaching Chennai late in the night. I am worried since I am travelling with my kids." Another passenger, Rajendran, who was bound for Villupuram said that he was not aware of the reason behind the delay. "We started our journey with other schedules in mind, now we have to postpone all those things as the train will reach late," he rued.

Loco pilots from their end said that they are not getting proper rest and not able to spend time with their families due to extreme work pressure. As the Tirunelveli - Tenkasi section was complete, the division was planning to operate trains in the section from November 1 and the loco pilots were forced to operate another set of three trains in this section, which will add to their burden in their work schedule, they claimed.

V Ramkumar, working committee member of the loco running staff wing of SRMU said that there are 45 loco pilots in Madurai division operating passenger trains and they hardly get to spend one night with their families after six days of work. "If these trains are commissioned as per the order, which was issued on Monday, it will burden the loco pilots. Hence, the railways should appoint more loco pilots if they are planning to operate more trains," he said. After negotiations with senior railways officials, the strike was called off and the trains left the station.

When contacted, divisional railway manager, Ajai Kant Rastogi said that they are concerned about the welfare of the employees and they are working on addressing their issues. It was an internal issue of the railways, which will be addressed with utmost concern towards employees, he assured. SRMU office bearers said that the senior officials of the division promised to look into their concerns over the roster and the decision of plying additional trains and another meeting with office-bearers of the union has been scheduled on November 2 to discuss the issue.