Railway drivers are assembling tomorrow Thursday, around 12 noon, in Misr Station, Ramses, while representatives from the Railway Authorities, the state-backed Railway Union, and the independent Railway Drivers’ Association will convene to discuss the drivers’ bonuses.
The drivers have been demanding an increase in Hafez el-Kilo (The “Kilo Incentives”), from 11 Piasters to 25 Piasters. The bonus is a function of how many kilometers the train drivers complete in their daily journeys.
The state backed union officials had tried to diffuse the situation, by bringing a government offer to the drivers for a 15% increase only. The offer was rejected, and once again the “Associations” stepped in.
Around 100 railway drivers held a meeting yesterday in the Railway Club, and agreed negotiations with the Railway Authorities should be conducted via the independent Railway Association leaders, not the state-backed union officials. Representatives from the Association will take part in tomorrow’s morning meeting, mentioned above. Other drivers will descend on Ramses around noon. A labor source told me the govt is expected to make a compromise or extend the negotiations, but there is a fighting mood, which could translate into a strike on 25 November.
In related news, industrial safety technicians on temporary contracts are staging a sit-in tomorrow also in Misr Station, against privatization of their service.