Tue Jun 24 16:57:28 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Members of the SRMU Loco Running Staff (LRS) Wing held a demonstration in Madurai, India, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, demanding improved working conditions for locomotive pilots (locopilots) and assistant locopilots (ALPs). The Southern Railway Mazdoor Union highlighted issues such as extended working hours for goods train staff, failure to adhere to the 48-hour return-to-headquarters rule, staff shortages, inadequate rest periods, and unfavorable scheduling leading to frequent night shifts. They also sought better food quality in running rooms and quicker processing of mutual transfer requests.

**News Article:**

**Indian Locomotive Staff Protest for Better Working Conditions**

**Madurai, India – June 24, 2025** – Members of the SRMU Loco Running Staff (LRS) Wing staged a demonstration in Madurai today, demanding improved working conditions and adherence to existing regulations for locomotive pilots (locopilots) and assistant locopilots (ALPs).

Organized by the Southern Railway Mazdoor Union, the protest focused on several key issues impacting the well-being and safety of train crews. Union officials cited instances of running staff on goods trains being subjected to excessively long working hours, violating Railway Board directives.

“Our members are being pushed to their limits,” stated J.M. Rafi, Southern Railway Mazdoor Union division secretary. “The administration needs to enforce the 48-hour return-to-headquarters rule and address the critical staffing shortages that are forcing our locopilots and ALPs to work beyond safe limits.”

The union is also demanding that running staff receive the mandated 30 hours of rest per week and that passenger train schedules be revised to prevent crews from working more than two consecutive night shifts, citing safety concerns. Other grievances included the quality of food in running rooms and delays in processing mutual transfer requests.

V. Ramkumar, assistant divisional secretary, emphasized the importance of crew well-being for maintaining railway safety standards.

The demonstration underscores growing concerns among railway workers regarding their working conditions and the potential impact on safety. Union representatives present at the demonstration included LRS wing divisional president Ravishankar and secretary Alaguraja. The union vowed to continue its efforts until their demands are met.

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