The 100th Annual Convention of Western Railway Employees’ Union

Railwaymen are contributing in moving of the wheels of railways at the cost of their life -Shivgopal Mishra

The 100th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Western Railway Employees’ Union (WREU), Central Executive Committee Meeting, General Counsel and Working Committee meeting were concurrently held recently on 26th to 27th April 2021. Although WREU decided to organize AGM at Baroda, but due to prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, the convention was organized through virtual mode on Zoom, first time in the history of WREU.
 
Open Session

The open session of 100th Annual Convention of WREU started at 11.00 hrs. on 26th April 2021. R. C. Sharma, President, WREU, presided over the open session. The convention started with union song.

Among the distinguished guests, who have joined the convention on Zoom, were Shivgopal Mishra, General Secretary – AIRF, Smt. Alka Mishra, AM-HR, Rly. Board, Harbhajan Singh Sidhu, General Secretary, HMS and Alok Kansal, General Manager Western Railway, Surendra Kumar. PCPO, Abdul Gani Serang, General Secretary, NUSI, Ch. Shankar Rao, Treasurer-AIRF & GS-SCRMU, Mukesh Mathur, GS-NWREU, Smt. Praveena Singh, Convenor Woman Wing-AIRF, Sharif Khan Pathan, President WRMS, P.  J. Shinde, President, NRMU-C.Rly and S. K. Tyagi, President, NRMU.

Com. J. R. Bhosale, GS/WREU welcome all the distinguished guests and requested Com. Shivgopal Mishra, GS/AIRF to inaugurate the convention. Com. Mishra in his inaugural speech expressed heartening on completion of 100 years of WREU. Completing 100 years of service to Railwaymen in different political and social situation is a great achievement, he mentioned.

In his address he remembered late Com. Umraomal Purohit, late Com. Jagdish Ajmera and other leaders, who contributed a lot in the national trade union movement in general and railway in particular. Com. Mishra specially mentioned about the present COVID-19 pandemic and said that railwaymen are contributing in moving of the wheel of railways at the cost of their life.

He has mentioned about efforts being made by AIRF to provide maximum relief to workers in these hard days. Com. Mishra further spoke on pending rightful demands of railwaymen raised by AIRF.

He categorically mentioned the govt views on freezing of DA/DR, regularize Course Completed Act Apprentices, upgradation of 50% posts of GP-1800 and other demands. He appealed to all railwaymen to work with their safety by following COVID protocol.

Smt. Alka Mishra, AM-HR, Rly. Board while speaking remembered her experience of working on western railway and praised the approached and functioning of WREU leaders. She mentioned about the steps being taken by Ministry of Railways/Railway Board to ease the working conditions of railway staff in this situation. She congratulated WREU on completion of 100 years of glorious services to railwaymen and contributing in the development of railway industry.

General Secretary HMS, Harbhajan SingH Sidhu, in his speech criticized the govt policies of privatization of public sector units including railways. He mentioned that drastically increased in unemployment in the country is result of faulty policies of the govt. He also spoke on proposed reforms of labour laws and said that all Central Trade Unions are jointly opposing the move of government through out the country. He appealed all to be unite to join movement to save our hard won rights.

Alok Kansal, GM/WR in his address applauded the employees of western railway for their hard working in this pandemic which resulted in western railway could increase 5% freight traffic. Shri Kansal spells out the administrative action taken to meet with present challenge of pandemic and to provide maximum assistance to employees. WREU always stood for the help of employees, he added. He appealed all employees and officers to follow guidelines issued in order to prevent from infection. He congratulates WREU for completing 100 years.

Surendra Kumar, PCPO/WR also congratulate WREU for holding 100th Annual Convention through virtual mode and shared his little experience of working on western railway. He praised the functioning of WREU.

Sharif Khan Pathan, President/WRMS, Mukesh Mathur, GS/NWREU, P. J. Shinde, President-NRMU/CRly., S. K. Tyagi, President/NRMU, V. K. Sharma, Ex.Vice President, WREU/BVP and Smt. Praveena Singh have also addressed the convention.

The video clips of greetings messages for the 100th AGM of WREU sent by Venu P. Nair, General Secretary, NRMU (CR&KR), A.M.D’cruz, GS/SWRMU, Govindlal Sharma, GS/HMS-MP and Sanjay Vadhavkar, GS/HMS/ Maharashtra were shown. Messages of Suneet Sharma, Chairman cum CEO, Railway Board, N. Kannaih, President, AIRF, Ramnath Patil, GS/AIOBCREA, Western Railway, Suresh Tripathi, Editor, Railway Samachar were read out by General Secretary.

Com. J.R.Bhosale, GS/WREU narrated in brief the history and functioning of WREU and mentioned that on this historical 100th AGM of WREU we have decided to distribute a souvenir to our members. Thereafter, Com. R. C. Sharma, President thanked all the dignitaries who attended the open session and graced the function. General Secretary briefed about the WREU history of 100 years.

He thanked all the members and activists of the union. He also thanked Chairman cum CEO, Railway Board, General Manager, Western Railway, AM/HR, PCPO, GS/AIRF, GS/HMS, all ex. office bearers, divisional secretaries who participated in this meeting and all and all other distinguished guests and visitors and all those who have helped in making this virtual meeting successful.

Delegate Session

The virtual Delegate Session was held by Zoom app in the afternoon. R. C. Sharma, President/ WREU, was in chair. Around 145 delegates have attended the conference virtually in the beginning. After paying homage to the comrades who left for heavenly abode since last AGM by observing two minutes silence, Com. Bhosale placed the General Secretary’s Report followed by Accounts and proposal of appointment of Auditors for the year 2021-22 by the Treasurer.

While submitting his report, he narrated complete details of the agitations on Western Railway since last AGM as per the directives of AIRF and HMS. He further narrated activities of WREU including Youth, Women Wing, Educational & Non-bargaining activities and also all major achievements during the period as a result of PNM meetings held with General Manager. The General Secretary gave detailed report on all activities conducted by Divisions, Workshops and other Branches during the period.

He also narrated all activities conducted by WREU including non-bargaining, education, sports, Trade Union Education Classes, etc. while explaining the Non-bargaining activities he informed that Union has donated Rs. 52 lacs to Prime Minister Relief Fund and Rs. 25 lacs to Chief Minister Relief Fund of Maharashtra.

He narrated all the activities done by the branches, divisions, HQ for helping migrant workers, unorganized workers, railway employees detained at destination due to sudden declare of lockdown by distributing the sanitizers, masks, food packets, Ayush medicines.

He also narrated guidelines given to the railway employees for maintaining social distance and other precaution while working in railway essential services. He thanked one and all for their total co-operation and support during the entire period, especially for enrollment of membership, collection of grievances and wide publicity of all activities during this pandemic period.

He specially mentioned about the help extended to the railwaymen and their family members by the Leaders and Activists of WREU by all means. The General Secretary thanked all those who have helped him in functioning of the union, preparation of reports and management of successful virtual conference. Thereafter 2 resolutions were placed:
 
DRAFT RESOLUTION NO. 1
 
1. Demand of withdrawal of 4 Labour codes.
2. Conducting of Secret Ballot for recognition of the Unions.
3. Payment of Dearness allowance and Dearness Relief to Central Government employee and Pensioners for a period 01.012020 to 30.06.2021.
4. Charter of other Demands.
(Proposed By Prashant Kanade, AGS and DS/BCT and seconded by Dinesh Panchal, DS/ADI).

DRAFT RESOLUTION No. 2
                             
This Annual Convention empowers the Working Committee for taking decision for appointment of Honorary Member and Central Office Bearer in case of exigencies when it is impossible to conduct physical Annual Meeting, subject to approval of the next Annual General Conference.
(Proposed by Rajan P., Divisional Chairman/BCT and Seconded by P. B. Bhargava, Assistant General Secretary)

In this deliberations, total 7 delegates participated – 1) G.N.Jadeja, BS/SUNR and Director JCCS 2) Jitendra Singh, DT/BCT 3) Rajendra Shukla, Lower Parel Workshop 4) Sanjay Pawar, JDS/BRC 5) Harful Kumawat, BS/GIM 6) R.V.Mehta, DVC/RJT and 7) K. Nagabhushanam, BS/CCG Station Branch.

Com. Bhosale while replying the debate clarified the doubts on some of the issues raised by delegates. General Secretary’s Report was adopted, Accounts for year ending 31.12.2019 and 31.12.2020 was unanimously passed. M/s. Ashok Dalal & Co., Chartered Accountant, was appointed as Auditors for next 2 years. After thorough deliberations, both resolutions was unanimously passed.

Election:

Com. Mukesh Mathur, GS/NWREU, Election Officer, declared the nominations received. Com. R. C. Sharma, J. R. Bhosale, R. P. Gupta and Santosh Pawar were elected as honorary members.

The following office bearers are unanimously elected as Central Office bearers of WREU:
 
1. R. C. Sharma, President
2. Nikhil Joshi, Vice President
3. Ajayrajsinh R.Gohil, Vice President
4. Seema Kaushik, Vice President
5. Perin Sophiya Harsh, Vice President
6. J. R. Bhosale, General Secretary
7. R. P. Gupta, Asst.Gen..Secy
8. P. B. Bhargava, Asst. Gen.Secy
9. Santosh Pawar, Asst. Gen.Secy
10. Prashant Kanade, Asst. Gen.Secy
11. P. Rajan, Asst. Gen.Secy
12. Vikas Gupte, Treasurer.

The Election Tribunal was appointed comprising of R. P. Gupta as Convener and Shyambabu Shrivastava and Smt. Sudhaben Joshi as members.

President and General Secretary in their concluding remarks thanked all the guests. They also thanked Delegates for their active participation and co-operation. The meeting was concluded with vote of thanks to the chair and shouting loud slogans – WREU – AIRF – HMS Zindabad – Kamgar Ekta Zindabad.

The conference was continued on 27th April 2021 virtually. A documentary film was shown to all delegates and visitors regarding the functioning of BBCI Railway Employees Union since 1st August 1920 to 5th November, 1951 and Western Railway Employees Union from 5th November 1951 till date.

A message from Smt. Tanuja Kansal, w/o Alok Kansal, General Manager & President WRWWO was also shown alongwith left over messages of P. K. Walunj, GS/HMS, Gujarat state and Ramnath Patil, All India OBC Rly Employees Association.

The President and General Secretary appreciated the support of all members and activists during this period and thanked all of them for their continuous participation in the conference. The meeting concluded with vote of thanks to the chair.