ABOUT
WESTERN RAILWAY EMPLOYEES ’ UNION (WREU)
(Established : 1920) (Trade Union Registered No: 05)
Western Railway Employees’ Union (formerly the Bombay Baroda & Central India (BB&CI) Railway Employees’ Union) since its inception in 1920, as a founder Member of AITUC, AIRF and HMS, have taken a leading part in Indian Trade Union Movements and it has a glorious past and history. The first President of AIRF was the President of WREU, the late Shri Rai Saheb Chandrika Prasad. The late Shri Jamnadas Mehta and Kum. Maniben Kara who were Presidents of WREU had also adorned the Presidentship of AIRF. Com. G.B. Sukhi was General Secretary for one decade.
Com. Umraomal Purohit, President of our union was also the President of AIRF since 1980 before that he was General Secretary of this union for 42 years. Com. Umraomal Purohit was the General Secretary of JCM- staff side (i.e. Central Government employees). Com. Umraomal Purohit was the General Secretary of HMS & acted as Chief Advisor till he breath last. He was elected as the President of International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) – London in 1998 and 2002 for two consecutive terms. He was first Asian to honour as President of International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) – London. Com. Jagdish Ajmera, Freedom Fighter & Ex-President & Chief Advisor was of this union for so many decades. Com. C.S. Menon & well- known as ‘MAMA’ was our General Secretary of this union & full life sacrificed for railwaymen. He was unmarried & spent whole life for railwaymen as accepting his family. Now Com. J.R. Bhosale, the Treasurer of AIRF, HMS & International Auditor of ITUC, Asia Pacific Region is our dynamic & devotee General Secretary. As the principle laid by Com. Umraomal Purohit, under the leadership of Com. J.R. Bhosale & Com. R.C. Sharma, General Secretary & President respectively, WREU is trying to set new higher goal for railwaymen as well as unorganized sectors by lot of pains & devotions.
WREU, as a champion of Railwaymen since 1920, has fought many battles for securing better wages and service conditions for railway employees. The Government had withdrawn the recognition of this Union three times in the past. By the sacrifices of the dedicated leaders and activities, WREU has withstood all the hardships. It has also able to gain more strength, because of sincere and hard work and the confidence and support, it enjoys amongst railwaymen. In the Secret Ballot for recognition of trade unions on Indian Railways, WREU has got confidence of railwaymen of Western Railway twice.
WREU, through struggles and sacrifices has been able to achieve for railwaymen important gains like No retrenchment in railways, Productivity Linked- Bonus, Casual Leave for workshop staff, Holidays for open line staff, Encashment of leave, Restructuring of Cadre, 50% of pay as pension and enhanced pension at the rate of 60% to 100% after 80 years of age, Transfer & Packing Allowance, Night Duty Allowance, Hours of Employment Regulations, Regularization of casual labours, compassionate appointments, improvements in various running allowances, RELHS-1997 and employment to Act Apprentices in Railways, Modified ACP Scheme etc.
WREU conducted the Railway strikes in 1960 and 1974. Five comrades of Dahod workshop sacrifices their lives in Police Firing during the 1960 strike and became “MARTYRS” (Com. Ranjit , Com. Khaderan, Com. Kripashanker, Com.Sitaram & Com. Sakharam). Many of our activists suffered removals and other punishments. Thousands were jailed and hundreds removed from service and suffered various punishments like suspension, reversion, transfer, etc. during the 1974 – Strike. WREU played vital role during every Pay Commission, thereby economic & social status of Railwaymen improved.
The history of WREU is full of struggles and sacrifices for the cause of railway men & therefore completed 100 glorious years on 1st August 2020 in the railway industry.
WREU ZINDABAD…AIRF ZINDABAD…HMS ZINDABAD… ITF ZINDABAD
