Several unions representing railway employees and workers have issued a threat to halt all train services across India starting from May 1.
Railway Unions Strike From May 1
They are demanding the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), and if their demand is not met, they intend to disrupt train services as a form of protest, reportedly.
These unions seem to have come together in a Joint Forum For Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (JFROPS).
According to the convener of JFROPS and general secretary of All India Railwaymen’s Federation, Shiva Gopal Mishra, the decision to carry out “Indefinite Strike for OPS from 1 May 2024 (International Labour Day)” was taken during the JFROPS core committee meeting.
Regarding this indefinite strike, Mishra shared a notice on Tuesday, in a post on X.
In this notice, JFROPS noted that it was unanimously decided to serve upon “Indefinite Strike Notice as per relevant Rules on 19th March 2024, and the Indefinite Strike to comment on 1st May 2024 i.e on international Labour Day.”
Their press note further said that after “considering the prevalent situation thoroughly and keeping in view the Non-Response of the Government on Restoration of Defined Guaranteed Old Pension Scheme in place of NPS”.
Moreover, the committee decided “that there is no alternative left but to resort to direct action by all constituent trade unions collectively”
New Pension Scheme Doesn’t Take Care Of Employees’ Welfare
“The government is completely non-committal to our demand for the restoration of ‘Defined Guarantied Old Pension Scheme’ in place of ‘New Pension Scheme’. Now, there is no alternative left but to resort to direct action,” said Mishra in a media report.
Further, he mentioned that “the representatives of various federations under the JFROPS have jointly consented that a notice will be officially served to the Railway Ministry on March 19.”
Adding, this notice would inform them about the countrywide strike and disruption of all train services from May 1.
Moving ahead, he added that several unions of other government employees, who are also part of JFROPS, will also go on strike along with railway workers.
“All the constituent organizations are therefore requested to take appropriate action and to make all sorts of preparations for serving upon the strike notice to their respective Administrations in a befitting manner,” as per the press note issued by JFROPS.
According to Mishra, OPS was in the interest of workers, while the New Pension Scheme doesn’t take care of their employees’ welfare.
