On 18th December the Motormen of the Western Railway Suburban services of Mumbai organised a novel protest to draw attention of the people of Mumbai to their problems. They decided to work without taking any food or water. By nighttime several motormen had become so weak and dizzy that they were unable to ply the locals without medical help. Consequently, the western line local train services were disrupted for three hours. Prior to that, on 28th October, the motormen of Central and Harbor line local trains had gone on a flash strike to protest a government circular forcing overtime schedule rather than letting motormen themselves choose their overtime slots.

Motormen of the Mumbai local trains have been protesting for several years for inhuman working conditions and inadequate salaries and benefits. They have made several representations to the government but the authorities have ignored their petitions. They have taken the path of flash strike and hunger strike to highlight their long standing grievences.

Motormen in the railways carry a great burden of responsibility. On local trains, for example, there is a single motorman with no assistant motorman for each train, unlike in long distance trains. In recent times, they have to do the duty of the station guard as well, of looking to see if all the passengers have got onto the train or not, and whether the signal is clear for moving. There is no provision for any break for going to toilet or taking tea in the whole run from Churchgate station to Virar, which may take 3 to 4 hours. They have no fixed holidays with their families and have to be available for duty all the 365 days of the year. They are allowed five 22 hour breaks in a month, but when this will be is not in their hands, nor known earlier. Even to take a casual leave, they have to take prior permission. Often motormen have to go back to duty after only 4 hours of sleep and are required to work for 10 to 12 hour shifts. Apart from effecting their family and social life, these create safety hazards.

On the one hand, the Railways are refusing to recruit or train additional motormen, forcing existing workers to do compulsory overtime, and increasing the exploitation of the workers. On the other hand, motormen feel discriminated against regarding pay after the sixth Pay Commission Report. They are demanding review of the Commissions reccomendations to restore parity with other sections of government employees in terms of pay scales. The demands being made by the motormen are just demands.  People’s voice joins the motormen in demanding a speedy resolution of their pending problems by the railway administration.