Railway Trade Union Aikyavedi, consisting of six various unions in the railways, Palakkad Division, has announced a convention to discuss on their future action plan to achieve their demands.

Speaking to mediapersons here today, E K Babu, Chairman of the Aikyavedi, said they have been demanding the authorities to make eight hours as their duty time considering the increased traffic.

Baby said they have been demanding for filling up the vacancies, but the authorities have not done anything so far.

The convention to be held at Shornur Railway Institute on August 16, would chalk out their future agitational programmes, he said.

Alleging that the railway authorities have cut down the strength of the employees, Babu said during 1974 there were 20 lakh workers, but it has come down to 13.12 lakh presently.

The vacancy which was 1.72 lakh in 2008 had gone upto 2.55 lakh now.