Loco Pilots Announce 48-Hour Hunger Strike from December 2 Over Pending Demands

New Delhi: Loco pilots across India will observe a 48 hour hunger strike from 10 AM on December 2, while continuing to perform their duties, to protest the "apathy' of the Railway Ministry towards long-pending demands, the All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) has announced.

'This hunger strike is not a rebellion but a cry for justice and fairness, an expression of pain, not defiance. The loco running staff have always stood by the Railway administration in every crisis and kept the lifeline of the nation moving even under the toughest conditions,' said K C James, Secretary General of the Association, in a letter addressed to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar. 'But today, they stand helplessly forced to take this step to make their voice heard. This Association sincerely hopes that the zonal administration will pursue the above-mentioned issues with the Railway Board for a just and fair decision'.

The union’s demands include an eight-hour daily duty limit, a weekly off of 46 hours, restricting night duties to two continuous shifts instead of four, and filling of vacant posts. It alleged that loco pilots are deprived of 16 hours of daily rest and 30-hour weekly offs, often forced to work unlimited hours under threat of disciplinary action.

The union highlighted violations in outstation duties, noting that pilots often remain away from home for more than three days, unlike other staff returning daily. Workload has increased due to technical and infrastructural advancements, rising signal numbers, trespassing issues, and additional duties previously handled by train examiners, engineering, and traffic staff.

James added that the five-year recruitment freeze has exacerbated staffing shortages, forcing each pilot to work 20 per cent extra, often forgoing leave and personal time. He also criticised financial inequities, noting: 'The TA rates were increased by 25 per cent from 01/01/2024 for all railway employees except the running staff…We demand 100 per cent income-tax exemption on whatever TA we receive.'

The union further raised concerns over transfer denials, claiming refusal rates exceed 10 per cent due to cadre vacancies, leaving many pilots unable to address personal or family needs.