LUCKNOW, Dec. 23 -- Thousands of railway employees from across the country gathered in Lucknow on Monday as the 101st annual convention of the All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF) began at the Charbagh Stadium. As part of the convention, around 10,000 railway staff took out a rally from TN Bajpai crossing to the stadium, raising slogans in support of their long-pending demands. Addressing the gathering, AIRF general secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra said the government must take immediate steps to address the 15-point charter of demands submitted by railway unions. He said the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission was the most crucial demand, along with speedy appointments on compassionate grounds and filling a large number of vacant posts in the railways. Mishra also criticised the railway administration for increasing outsourcing, alleging that unemployed youth were being hired on contractual terms without job security or fair wages. "This has led to exploitation of workers," he alleged. He further alleged that loco pilots and running staff were being made to work for 12 to 14 hours, often beyond prescribed duty hours and roster norms. Union leaders also raised concerns over increasing privatisation, excessive workload on staff and the issues faced by women employees....