Mon Apr 28 17:39:10 UTC 2025: ## Madurai Loco Running Staff Protest for Improved Working Conditions

**Madurai, India (April 29, 2025)** — Members of the Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU) in Madurai staged a demonstration yesterday, demanding improved working conditions for loco running staff. Their key concerns center around safety and rest periods for high-speed train operators.

The union argues that pilots operating trains at 130 kmph for six-hour stretches require a co-pilot, not just an assistant, to ensure safety and prevent fatigue. They also demand an increase in weekly rest time from 30 hours to 46 hours, citing the additional 16 hours of rest typically taken after a workday. The union further seeks to limit the maximum working time for running crews to six hours, aligning with the hours given to section controllers. This includes time for meals and personal needs.

Additional demands include the removal of CCTV cameras from locomotives, citing privacy concerns, and a 70% income tax exemption on mileage allowance, as recommended by the VI Central Pay Commission. The protest was attended by several union officials, including SRMU Madurai divisional secretary J.M. Rafi and assistant divisional secretary V. Ramkumar.

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