Railway Workers Union is affiliated with All Pakistan Trade Union Federation is the biggest union in Pakistan Railway.

As you know railway workshop workers are agitating for the acceptance of their demands since two weeks ago. Every day they organizing procession and demonstration eventhough there is a Section 144 (more than four persons are not allow togather). Management goons men, police authority & administration, sabotage the workers agitation. Harassing union officers and activivts. Issued charge sheets levelling false alligation against 150 union activists. Threatned termination from services.
Workers struggle and agitation done by under the umbrella of All Pakistan Trade Union Federation / Railway Workers Union and play significant for the acceptance of workers demands, workers from different industries are also participating.
Struggle of Railway workers are against the anti workers' policy and reduction in their facilities still continue. The negotiations between the management / Union failed on 20th December 1999.
On 21st December 1999 workers more anger and the agitation became more strong, thousands workers gathered infront of Divisional Superintended Railway Office and raised slogans against the railway management as well as the government.
All Pakistan Trade Union Federation leading the agitation.
23rd December 1999 twelve union office bearers have been arrested at midnight from their houses when they are sleeping, police not only arrested the office bearers but they abused their family women's too and even beaten them severely infront of their families.
24th December 1999 more than twenty thousand workers marched on the main Grand Trunk Road against the arrest of trade unionists and harsh attitude of the police towards workers. Processionists gathered infront of police station where the office bearers has been detained. While agitating the police force attack on the workers without any warning, baton charged and used tear gas to desperse the workers protest. Hundreds workers became unconscious due to the tear gas and hundreds injured, ten workers including office bearers arrested.
On 25th December 1999 there was a holiday in Pakistan, railway workers again hold demonstration and marched on the roads along with the other Industrial and public sector workers under the umbrella of APTUF /RWU. Federal Minister of Labour & Overseas Pakistani called the labour leaders for negotiations. Meetings was held remain two hours, Minister also contacted Army Governor of Punjab, 27th December 1999 meeting held with between union and railway management / administration. In the meeting it was decided that some office bearers will be released today and other will be released after two days. Piece rate restored immediately and negotiations will be continue on the other issues of railway workers. Same day at 11:30 A.M. railway workers hold a big gathering railway workshops area. APTUF General Secretary Gulzar Ahmed Chaudhry and Railway Union's office bearers speak on this occasion supporting the workers demnds and stress upon government to accept the other demands otherwise workers will take the industrial action.
On 28 December 1999 other seven trade unions leader released from the Jail. Meeting between management and union going on today, for the acceptance of their demands such as medical & travelling facilities, withdrawal of the charge sheets, withdrawl of criminal cases, registered under the Terrorist Ordinance against unions executives.
Struggle is still continue, situation can make a good or bad turn any time. Please send support and solidarity letters to encourage and strengthen the working class struggle.
Gulzar Ahmed Chaudhry
General Secretary
All Pakistan Trade Union Federation
President
Pakistan Workers Confederation-Punjab
14-N, Industrial Area, Gulberg, Lahore 54660
Pakistan.Tel; 92-42-5759838 / 92-42-5715252;Fax: 92-5715252
Email: rjapwsl@nexlinx.net.pk <mailto:rjapwsl@nexlinx.net.pk>