On August 30th, a notification for a secret ballot election for recognition of railway unions was issued. This resulted in a ban on all activities and local negotiations by recognized railway unions. The code of conduct prohibits any campaigning or meetings related to the election within union offices. The rules apply...
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to unions like the Mens Union and the Employees' Union on the North Central Railway, and recognized unions on the North and Northeast Railways. The Railway Board's directive was followed by a letter from the Personnel Department to ensure fair opportunities for all trade unions. This letter prohibits the use of office space, railway-issued cards and passes, and special emergency leave for campaigning. Railway-issued mobile phones can only be used if employees pay the bill themselves. This action was taken after the General Secretary of the North Central Railway Employees' Union, Hemant Kumar Vishkarma, complained to the General Manager of NCR, Upendra Chandra Joshi, about the non-compliance of the Railway Board's order. He alleged that election activities were occurring in the offices allocated to the NCRMU and NCREs.