Hundreds of motormen and train managers employed with the Western Railway (WR) staged a significant protest at Churchgate station on Friday. The agitation meeting, held in the station's lobby, saw strong participation from running staff and union leaders who are demanding immediate resolution to long-pending welfare issues.
Core Grievances: Leave Denial, Double Duties, and Shut Canteen
The gathering, which included a large number of frontline staff from across Mumbai's suburban network, unanimously voiced three primary complaints. The first major issue is the systematic denial of regular leave and weekly offs, depriving employees of mandated rest. The second is the forced imposition of double duties on motormen, requiring them to operate trains for excessively long hours without adequate break.
Compounding these problems is the continued closure of the dedicated Churchgate canteen for motormen and train managers, which has remained shut for the past seven months. Union representatives argue that this has severely inconvenienced staff working long and irregular shifts, leaving them without access to proper meals.
Physical Exhaustion and Passenger Safety Concerns
Employees at the protest highlighted the severe toll these working conditions are taking. They reported that prolonged double duties coupled with insufficient rest are leading to serious physical and mental fatigue among the staff who operate Mumbai's lifeline suburban local services.
The protestors issued a stern caution, stating that the sustained exhaustion of frontline running staff could eventually compromise passenger safety. They emphasized that apart from deteriorating employee health and morale, the constant fatigue poses a latent risk to the safe operation of thousands of daily train services carrying millions of commuters.
Unions Threaten to Escalate Agitation
Union office-bearers present at the Churchgate meeting pointed out that despite repeated appeals and formal representations to the railway administration, these basic welfare concerns remain unaddressed. The failure to reopen the canteen, in particular, was cited as a symbol of administrative apathy.
The participants resolved unanimously to intensify their protest movement if their demands are not met promptly. Union leaders announced that plans for a larger and more coordinated agitation would be finalized in the coming days should the Western Railway administration fail to take concrete action. The Friday meeting serves as a clear warning of escalating unrest among critical railway staff.
