Queering the pitch for two established federations representing nearly 12 lakh workforce of Indian Railways, Secret Ballot for recognition of workers union stands postponed again. There was intense speculation that ballot was due by November end and even preparations were also afoot. But latest information with Federations is that Railway Board has dropped hints that it is highly unlikely now.

 

The tenure of All India Railwaymens' Federation (AIRF) and National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) has ended on October and currently their status in hierarchy is debatable. The two employees Union at present does not have any bargaining power and there are no provision of caretaker, as one see in parliamentary democracy, making them more helpless.

 

Mean union representatives are currently rudderless without any power and titles. With fresh dates announcement not expected yet, at ground level the situation is of despair. Especially the hard-core unionist is fearing retaliation from administration for their strident pro-employees stance if elections are not held in immediate future.

 

Recently hopes were raised amidst feelers emanating from Board that Secret Ballot is likely to be held by November end. Field units of National Railway Mazdoor Union (NRMU) and Congress affiliated Mazdoor Sangh were in overdrive mode in anticipation of the elections. But now with Board against backtracking for reasons beyond comprehension, the employees are the worst sufferers as without any official tag the current union leaders do not have any leverage with administration. “Division officials too are under no obligation to play ball with union office bearers as they know union leaders tenure has ended,” said an employee.

 

Earlier it was expected that Secret Ballot would be held sometimes in July end but Board set-up a committee to buy time and the programme was deferred. The Committee was constituted to decide modalities for recognition of union and conduct of ballot. This was required as during last ballot several problems cropped-up and to solve the same and ensure uniformity, rules were framed.

 

The process of holding election was necessitated post ruling from Supreme Court that only way to determine recognition of union was to hold Secret Ballot. The formula for recognition was fixed at 35 per cent of polled votes and with Congress backed NFIR affiliates and Socialist backed AIRF units won enough zones to continue their supremacy at national level. AIRF however was clear cut winner as it emerged first choice of employees in maximum zones while NFIR barely scraped through to get recognition.

 

October was the last month as five-year tenure of elected Unions came to an end. Hence, unions were in a hurry but the Board had other plans lined-up and it seems no one is showing any willingness to start the process any sooner. About a month’s notice is required for holding the Secret Ballot and voting is spread over three days in view of 24x7 working pattern in Railways.

 

“Now that Secret Ballot was deferred for second time, a big question mark hangs on continuity of dialogue between management and workers as there is no recognised union in place. Even otherwise the recognised federations were roadblock in current moves of Railway Ministry to privatise operations and handover railway stations to private parties. Thus, the deferment of Secret Ballot is also being seen a link to plans to stall any formal protest from organised union,” said the sources.