The main demand of the engine drivers is that they should be given running allowance as per the recommendations of the committee constituted by the Railway Board in 1980. That the running staff who retired before 1 January 2016 be given pension as per the 7th Pay Commission. It is to be noted that for the running staff which includes Drivers as well as Guards, the running allowance is a significant part of their wages and the fact that even after two and a half years the Government has not revised the rates is causing huge discontent among the drivers as well as guards.
The engine drivers were fasting while discharging their duties. In their off-duty period, they joined the dharnas. Many engine drivers fell sick while performing their duty due to their long fast. They had to be admitted to Central, district and other hospitals. The Vice President of AILRSA, comrade Ramasaran said that two engine drivers were martyred during this fast.
There were dharnas organised in various divisions of the Indian Railways. There was no food prepared in any of the running rooms. Engine drivers ran the trains hungry. Many engine drivers enthusiastically took part in dharnas in New Delhi, Sambalpur, Hubli, Danapur, Dhanbad and many other places.
In New Delhi, the dharna was held on Parliament street. Large number of engine drivers of the Northern Railway took part in this dharna. The engine drivers from different branches said that they have to run the train even in 45 degree temperatures and there are no definite hours of work. They have been in struggle for fixing the mileage rate for the past several years. No matter what party is in power, the government is least bit concerned. Engine drivers said that if the government does not agree with their demands then they will have to escalate their struggle. They will have to bring railways to a halt. Comrade Padam Gangwar expressed support on behalf of AILRSA for the industrial strike planned by the workers of Delhi. Members of Mazdoor Ekta Committee supported the struggle of engine drivers by participating in their dharna and fast. Comrade Paramjit Singh (President of Northern Division), Comrade Vishwanath Singh (Central Vice President) and Comrade Somnath (Secretary, Firozpur) addressed the dharna.
On this occasion, CITU President Comrade Tapan Sen, Comrade Santosh Kumar from Mazdoor Ekta Committee, Shivgopal Misra, General Secretary of AIRF and J K Yadav of the Nothern Railway Mazdoor Union expressed support for the struggle of engine drivers.