7th Pay Commission: Railway threatens employees of consequences for July 11 strike

7th Pay Commission: Railway threatens employees of consequences for July 11 strike

      With government workers threatening strike on July 11, the Railway Board has cited law and warned employees of sacking, imprisonment and fine if they proceed with the strike. The Board has written to General Managers of all zones to take measures in view of strike.

The letter cited Railway Services (Conduct Rules) 1966 which states that “No Work, No Pay” for the period of absence due to participation in a strike.

“Rule 237 of the code stipulates that whole time of a Railway Servant is at disposal of the government which pay him. Therefore if any Railway Servant willingly flouts this condition of service, then the services are liable to be terminated after following the due procedure,” said the letter.

It further says that according to the Act, if any railway servant entrusted with any responsibility connected with the running of train or rolling stock abandons their duty, they are liable to be punished with imprisonment for up to two years or a fine or both.

The central government employees especially at the lower-level are upset as the 7th Pay Commission increased the minimum wage to Rs 18,000 against the demand of Rs 26,000. They have called for countrywide strike on Jul y 11.

The National Joint Council of Action (NJCA), a confederation of government staff unions, said that 3.3 million central government employees, including 1.3 million railway employees, are unhappy with the commission’s recommendations. They will announce their final decision on July 7.

Source : NewIndianExpress