Saturday, February 22, 2014

Confederation circular

CONFEDERATION DECIDES TO GO FOR NATIONWIDE INDEFINITE STRIKE IN THE MONTH OF JUNE, 2014.

Two days mass Dharna of confederation leaders
In front of Parliament
On 24th and 25th February, 2014.

To protest against the total neglect and negative attitude of Central Government in the Budget towards Central Government employees.

NATIONAL CONVENTION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ON 4th APRIL, 2014 AT NAGPUR. NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN DURING THE PERIOD FROM MARCH TO MAY, 2014.
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Dear Comrade,

The National Secretariat met today.  It reviewed the strike participation on the basis of the reports received from the States and the affiliates.  The meeting noted with appreciation the efforts undertaken by the affiliates and the State leaders in making the stake a grand success.  On the basis of the deliberations, the meeting adopted the enclosed resolution and took the following decisions.

1. To organise 48 hour Dharna on 24th and 25th Feb. 2014 at Delhi against the  attitude of the finance Minister in not conceding the demand for Interim relief and merger of DA etc. , while presenting the Vote on Account. The National leaders along with the active workers of Delhi will participate in the programme.

2. To organise a National Convention at Nagpur on 4th April, 2014 from 11 AM to 5 PM to mobilise the    employees for the task for accomplishment detailed in the enclosed resolution, especially in    the coming general election.

3. The State Committees will organise such conventions in all State Capitals for the same purpose.

4. Campaign meetings will be organised in front of all Central Government offices, where the District level and State level leaders will detail the decisions taken by the National Secretariat.

5. The Confederation National Secretariat will meet in May 2014 and decide upon the indefinite strike      action in pursuance of the 15 point charter of demands to be organised in June, 2014.

6. The Tamilnadu State Committee will be requested to explore the possibilities of organising campaign against Shri P. Chidambaram, Finance Minister in the Constituency from where he would seek election to the Lok Sabha.


7. The State Committees will make arrangements for translating the resolution in vernacular and circulate amongst the mass of the employees.

                With greetings,
Yours fraternally,

M. KRISHNAN.
Secretary General.
                .              
DRAFT RESOLUTION

            The National Secretariat of the Confederation places on record its appreciation and gratitude over the massive and magnificent participation of the largest number of our members in the 48 hour strike on 12thand 13th Feb. 2014.  It was a great manifestation of the confidence,  the members  had reposed in the organization and their determination to win the demands through struggles.  The reports, the Confederation CHQ received both  from the affiliates and the State Committees indicate the massive participation of the employees in the strike action throughout the county.  In some of the affiliates, the participation had been cent percent.  This must embolden the Confederation to pursue the issue with determination and organize further action programmes to ensure that the demands are got settled.
            
The Secretariat has noted that the Government  had pretended to ignore the massive action of the employees.  There had been no response from them so far.  In the wake of the strike action, it announced the composition of the 7th CPC disregarding the united demand raised by the Staff side of the JCM National Council for the inclusion of a labour representative.  The Government also chose not to convene the meeting the staff side to discuss the draft terms of reference submitted,.  It did not make any announcement on the question of merger of DA, Interim Relief, inclusion of GDS within the ambit of the Commission and rejected the demand for making the recommendation of the Commission effective from 1.1.2014. 
            
On every issue, which is included in the 15 point Charter of demands, the Govt. continued with its nugatory attitude.  In the last session of the Parliament, they ensured that the PFRDA bill becomes an Act despite the strongest objection and resistance of the employees by eliciting and receiving the support and patronage of the dominant opposition party, the BJP.  Even on comparatively smaller issues like compassionate appointments, no positive response emerged.   The period witnessed increased outsourcing of governmental functions.  Almost a third of the workforce is presently casual and contract workers with abysmally poor wages taking advantage of the acute unemployment situation in the country.  There had been no settlement of any issue raised by the Staff Side in the National Council JCM.  In fact no meeting of the council was convened and no issue discussed or settled during this period.
            
The plight of the three lakh Gramin Dak Sewaks of the Postal Department is highly deplorable.  They constitute almost half of the Postal workforce. But for them, the functioning of the Postal system will come to a grinding halt.  Their service conditions are presently worse off than even a causal/daily rated worker. Despite the Supreme Court’s decisions that they are holders of Civil Posts and consequently are entitled to the benefits and privileges of a civil servant, there had been no improvement in their service conditions worth mentioning.  In spite of repeated presentation of their case both inside and outside the Parliament by people from all walks of life irrespective of party affiliation, the Government had been silent to the pleading for bringing them within the ambit of the Pay Commissions.  Confederation is duty bound and determined to change the situation and to bring them within the purview of the 7th CPC.
 
            During its five year tenure, the UPA II was in power, it intensified the neo-liberal reforms, phased out all welfare measures introduced to benefit the poor by the previous Governments; accentuated the unemployment situation by various job killing devices; divested the PSUs; allowed unbridled entry of Foreign capital to subjugate the Indian people; ruined the indigenous industry, destroyed the livelihood of the farmers and agricultural labourers, allowed the prices of all essential food items to soar, privatised education and health care services, ensured that each of its decision was to favour the rich, granted huge tax concessions to the corporate, indulged in large scale corruption, squandered away the national wealth, siphoned off the poor man’s earning into the hands of a few rich in the country, sided with the entrepreneurs in all labour disputes,  took each and every political decision to sub-serve the interest of the imperialist powers, especially the USA.  The pursuance of the neo liberal policies at the behest of the advanced capitalist countries drove the majority of Indian population to be below the poverty levels. In the comity of nations, our country became the poorest and the last ranking in all fields. Our youth were driven to be beggars at the doors of transnational corporations and developed countries.

            Those who were responsible in driving our country men to unprecedented deprivation has to now seek mandate, for their tenure is to end shortly.  No different is the approach of the major opposition party, BJP.  There is nothing to chose from these two political dispensations.  They were hand in glove together to demolish the sovereignty of the country; pauperisation of the people and supported every legislation to intensify the neo liberal exploitation of the common people.  They supported to the hilt the corporate houses.  But for the support extended by the BJP, the PFRDA would never have been made into a law.  The Act now provides for the extension of the new contributory pension scheme to those who were recruited prior to 1.1.2004 and the existing pensioners.  Despite the refusal of the Government to accept their suggestion to guarantee minimum pension, the BJP unashamedly supported the Bill, for they were the proponents of the neo liberal economic policies.  They supported this Government to increase the FDI and FII in all sectors of economy and announced that they would intensify the reform process if elected to power.  The conglomeration of Corporate in the country has now appointed the leader of that party to be the next CEO to run the country.  They have no use for the discredited UPA howsoever subservient it could be.  They know in a democratic system demagogy can play a vital role.  They are certain that BJP and its allies if elected to power will be much more pliant and compliant.

            It is in this background that the workers must assess the political situation.  In the forthcoming electoral battle, every worker must discharge their salutary responsibility.  Since the present state of affairs is the product of the neo liberal policies and since both the UPA and the NDA are the proponents of those policies, he/she must have clear vision and exercise the franchise effectively to ensure that a pro worker, pro people combination of parties is in governance.  He/she must discharge that responsibility for his/her own sake and for the sake of this great nation. 

            The Secretariat came to the inescapable conclusion that the settlement of the demands in the charter will only be possible through intensification of the struggles.  It recognised the need for larger unity. It will strive for bringing about such a united platform for joint action.  The inevitability of an indefinite strike action has to be emphasised.  The Confederation and its affiliates must prepare its members for such an eventual and unavoidable action, if the proposed 7th CPC is to really revise the wages.  It is needed to ensure the withdrawal of the pernicious contributory pension scheme.  It only will ensure that there are no casual or contract system of employment in Government service.   The Government employees must be bestowed with democratic rights and above all must enjoy the facility for collective bargaining and right to strike.  The Gramin Dak Sewak system is a colonial legacy and no civilised country must endure such brutal exploitation.  All is possible through united and sustained action.  The Confederation has proved beyond any iota of doubt that it has built up an organisation capable of carrying out such an action.  Such action must be planned to take place after the electoral battle is over.  Every active worker of the Confederation must fan out and reach out the rank and file of the workers.  Since the task is stupendous, the endeavour and effort must also be equally persisting.


            The meeting of the National Secretariat of the Confederation has decided to call upon all its affiliates, the State Committees, District Committees and units to work in consonance with the understanding depicted in this resolution; mobilise the rank and file for the eventual indefinite strike action in June, 2014 and strive to bring about a revolutionary change in the governance of our polity.

Friday, February 21, 2014

DISCUSSION WITH SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

Today Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE held discussion with Secretary, Department of Posts. Com. K. V. Sridharan, Ex-General Secretary, P3 (CHQ) and Com. Balwinder Singh, Financial Secretary, P3 (CHQ) were also present. Mainly two issues were discussed.

(1)   GDS issues            (2) IT Modernisation Project & Recruitment

(1)   GDS Issues:
Regarding GDS issue Secretary, Department of Posts said that as already informed to the Federations, inclusion under the purview of 7th Pay Commission can be considered and decided by Govt. (DOP&T) only. Hence whether GDS shall be included under 7th CPC or separate committee is to be appointed is to be decided by the Government. Secretary, Department of Posts can only refer the matter to Government and cannot take any decision in this matter. We told that accepting any other separate committee (Whether Judicial or Retired officer) will be equal to accepting the argument of the Government and Department that “GDS are not Civil Servants and hence they cannot be included in the 7th Pay Commission”. The JCM Staff side, National Council has already taken a stand that GDS should be included under the purview of 7th Pay Commission itself. Further Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers & NFPE have conducted a two days strike for inclusion of GDS under 7th CPC. FNPO also conducted two days strike on the same demands. No Unions/Federations in the Postal Department or in the National Council JCM has demanded a separate committee for GDS, whether Judicial or Bureaucratic. Accepting any other Committee will be equal to accepting the stand of the Government that GDS are not Civil Servants. When NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) have challenged the stand of the Government that “GDS are not civil servants” in the Hon’ble Supreme Court and when the Delhi High Court has already issued notice to the Department, accepting a separate Committee and thereby accepting the stand of the Government that GDS are not civil servants and hence cannot be included in the 7th CPC will be suicidal at this point of time, as far as GDS are concerned. We made our position very clear. If the UPA Government is not ready to accept our stand, we will place our demand before the next Government and go for indefinite strike. Hence our decision for indefinite strike after election stands.

(2)   IT Modernisation Project:
While extending our cooperation for the implementation of the project, we brought the difficulties being faced by the employees due to the hasty implementation of CBS, malfunctioning of some software etc. for immediate redressal. Secretary, Posts, informed that 10200 recruitment in PA cadre is going to take place and assured that the difficulties pointed out by the staff side will be taken care of and addressed.



(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General

NFPE




7th CPC Terms of Reference

It is informed that DOP&T has finalized the terms of reference of Seventh Central Pay Commission and submitted to Cabinet for approval. Details of the terms of reference finalized by DOP&T is not disclosed to the staff side. Details will be known only after the Cabinet meeting which is likely to be held today evening or tomorrow. (Date of Cabinet Meeting not confirmed)

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

GDS EMPLOYEES REJECTED
MAHADEVAIAH’S LEADERSHIP AND STRIKE CALL
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AND STOOD SOLIDLY BEHIND
NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE)
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FRAGMENTED STRIKE OF SO - CALLED
RECOGNIZED (!!)  GDS UNION BECAME A FLOP
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AS PER THE FIGURES RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT AT DIRECTORATE LEVEL TILL EVENING ON 18.02.2014 FOLLOWING IS THE PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION OF GDS IN THE STRIKE OF SO CALLED RECOGNIZED(!!) GDS UNION.
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AndhraPradesh - 20%, Assam - 50%, Bihar - 22%, Chhattisgarh - 50%, Delhi-NIL, Gujarat - 6%,  Haryana  - 2%,  HimachalPradesh  - 3%,  J&K - 2%  Jharkhand -50%, Karnataka - 55%,  Kerala - NIL,  MadhyaPradesh - 13%,  Maharashtra-25%, North East – NIL, Orissa - 10%, Punjab - 22% , Rajasthan - 6%, Tamilnadu -12%, Uttarakhand -15%, UP -1%, West Bengal - NIL.(Percentage is wih reference to the Total number of Gramin Dak Sewaks working in each Circle and NOT total number of employees (If we take total number of employees the percentage will be about 5% only)
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SEE DEPARTMENT OF POSTS’s LETTER ADDRESSED TO SECRETARY GENETRALS  NFPE / FNPO BELOW
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IMPACT OF TWO DAYS STRIKE

POSTAL DEPARTMENT REFERRED THE DEMAND FOR INCLUSION GRAMIN DAK SEWAKS IN 7th CPC TO DOP&T (GOVT.)

 LETTER FROM DOP ADDRESSED TO SECRETARY GENERAL NFPE/FNPO:

No. 08/01/2014-SR
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
(SR Section)

                                                                 Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
                                                  New Delhi, dated 18th February, 2014

To

 Shri M. Krishnan
 Secretary General
 National Federation of Postal Employees
 Dada Ghosh Bhavan, 215/11
 New Patel Road
 New Delhi – 110 008

Shri D. Theagarajan
Secretary General
Federation of National Postal Organization
Chambri No. CH 17-1-18
Atul Grove Road
New Delhi – 110 001


Dear Sir,
  
Subject:  Charter of Demands – regarding.

        Your demand for inclusion of GDS in the 7th Central Pay Commission has been referred to DoP&T for a decision in the matter.
                                                                                        Yours faithfully,


                                                                                          (Arun Malik)
                                                                                          Director(SR)
INDEFINITE STRIKE IN JUNE-2014

Confederation National Secretariat held on 18th February 2014 at New Delhi decided to go for indefinite strike during the month of June-2014 on 15 Charter of Demands. Departmentalisation and grant of Civil Servant Status to Gramin Dak Sewaks and inclusion of GDS in 7th CPC are major demands of the Strike Charter.


NFPE Federal Secretariat met on 18.02.2014 endorsed the above decision of the Confederation. Details will follow:
FLASH               FLASH

IMPACT OF TWO DAYS STRIKE

POSTAL DEPARTMENT REFERRED THE DEMAND FOR INCLUSION GRAMIN DAK SEWAKS IN 7th CPC TO DOP&T (GOVT.)

 LETTER FROM DOP ADDRESSED TO SECRETARY GENERAL NFPE/FNPO:

No. 08/01/2014-SR
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
(SR Section)

                                                                 Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
                                                  New Delhi, dated 18th February, 2014

To

 Shri M. Krishnan
 Secretary General
 National Federation of Postal Employees
 Dada Ghosh Bhavan, 215/11
 New Patel Road
 New Delhi – 110 008

Shri D. Theagarajan
Secretary General
Federation of National Postal Organization
Chambri No. CH 17-1-18
Atul Grove Road
New Delhi – 110 001


Dear Sir,
  
Subject:  Charter of Demands – regarding.

        Your demand for inclusion of GDS in the 7th Central Pay Commission has been referred to DoP&T for a decision in the matter.
                                                                                        Yours faithfully,


                                                                                          (Arun Malik)
                                                                                          Director(SR)

Saturday, February 15, 2014

BIG STRUGGLE FOR GDS LIBERATION ANNOUNCED

FLASH - FLASH - FLASH - FLASH
GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS DEPARTMENTALISATION (CIVIL SERVANT STATUS) AND INCLUSION IN 7th  PAY COMMISSION.

DELHI HIGH COURT ISSUED NOTICE TO GOVT. AND DEPARTMENT OF POSTS IN THE WRIT PETITION FILED BY NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) IN THE HON’BLE SUPREME COURT WHICH STANDS TRANSFERRED TO DELHI HIGH COURT FOR GRANT OF CIVIL SERVANT STATUS AND INCLUSION OF GDS IN 7th CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION.  AFTER RECEIPT OF GOVT. REPLY NEXT HEARING FIXED ON 07-05-2014.
AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL FEB. 12TH & 13TH TWO DAY’S NATION WIDE STRIKE IN WHICH MORE THAN TWO LAKHS GDS PARTICIPATED,
AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) AND NFPE ANNOUNCE
THE BIGGEST MASS PROTEST OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS.
50000 (FIFTY THOUSAND) GDS WILL SIT ON FIVE DAYS HUNGER FAST IN FRONT OF PARLIAMENT.
FROM 15th TO 19th SEPTEMBER 2014.
DEMANDING DEPARTMENTALISATION AND CIVIL SERVANT STATUS AND ALL OTHER BENEEFITS OF DEPARTMENTAL EMPLOYEES TO GDS.
ALL INDIA “GDS SHOSHAN MUKTHI YATRA” (GDS LIBERATION MARCH) COVERING ALL THE 22 CIRCLES LEAD BY NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) LEADERS WILL BE ORGANISED BEFORE THE FIVE DAY’S MASS FAST IN FRONT OF PARLIAMENT.
THOSE SITTING IN THE SEAT OF POWER AT DELHI IS GOING TO FACE THE HEAT OF BIGGEST TRADE UNION ACTION OF THREE LAKHS MOST DOWN-TRODEN SECTION OF THE CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES - CALLED GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS.
NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) IS FIGHTING BOTH LEGALLY AND ORGANISATIONALLY FOR THE CAUSE OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS.
WE WILL NOT REST TILL OUR GOAL IS ACHIEVED
WE WILL MOVE JOINTLY WITH THE DEPARTMENTAL EMPLOYEES UNDER THE ‘BANNER OF NFPE AND CONFEDERATION’.
THOSE WHO WANT TO BREAK THE UNITY OF GDS AND REGULAR EMPLOYEES ARE ENEMIES OF GDS AND ARE HELPING THE GOVT. TO DIVIDE AND RULE.
JOIN AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) AND MAKE THE 50000 FIVE DAYS MASS PROTEST IN FRONT OF PARLIAMENT A GRAND SUCCESS.
JOIN AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) AND MAKE THE ALL INDIA “GDS SHOSHAN MUKTHI YATRA” (GDS LIBERATION MARCH) A THUNDERING SUCCESS.
THIS IS A LIFE OR DEATH STRUGGLE.
LET ALL ROADS LEAD TO DELHI
FINAL VICTORY WILL BE OURS.

P. PANDURANGA RAO                                                            M. KRISHNAN
GENERAL SECRETARY,                             SECRETARY GENERAL,NFPE
AIPEU-GDS(NFPE)                                                         MOB: 09447068125

MOB: 09849466595                            EMAIL: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

Thursday, February 13, 2014

48 HOURS STRIKE OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES
2ND DAY ALSO UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS.

IT IS ONCE AGAIN PROVED THAT CONFEDERATION IS THE ONLY ORGANISATION WHICH IS CONDUCTING UNCOMPROMISING FIGHT AGAINST THE POLICIES OF THE CENTRAL GOVT. AND ALSO FOR THE JUSTIFIED DEMANDS OF THE CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES.
OTHERS MAKE NOISE AND PASS RESOLUTIONS ONLY, BUT CONFEDERATION DOES THE BUSINESS AND COME FORWARD TO SACRIFICE FOR THE CAUSE OF ALL.
HISTORY WILL WRITE THIS STRIKE IN GOLDEN LETTERS AS A TURNING POINT IN THE CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES STRUGGLE.
TWO DAYS STRIKE ENDS TODAY, BUT THE STRUGGLE WILL CONTINUE.
CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT WILL MEET ON 18TH FEBRUARY TO DECIDE FUTURE COURSE OF ACTION.
CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF ALL AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS AND NATIONAL SECRETARIAT MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO SEND STATE WISE/UNIT WISE CONSOLIDATED REPORT TO CONFEDERATION CHQ, REGARDING THE PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION OF EMPLOYEES. GENERAL SECRETARIES OF C.O.Cs ARE  ALSO REQUESTED TO SEND ORGANISATION WISE DETAILED REPORT BEFORE 14TH BY EMAIL.
ONCE AGAIN CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT AND NFPE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT EXPRESS OUR SINCERE THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THOSE LEADERS AND WORKERS WHO MADE THE 48 HOURS STRIKE A HISTORIC SUCCESS.  WE ARE PROUD OF YOU, COMRADES.
LET US KEEP UP THIS FIGHTING SPIRIT AND ROCK-LIKE UNITY AND PLEDGE TO CONTINUE OUR STRUGGLE IN THE COMING DAYS.

WE EXPRESS OUR SINCERE THANKS AND SOLIDARITY TO FNPO LEADERSHIP WHO SERVED SEPARATE STRIKE NOTICE ON THE SAME DATES AND CONDUCTED THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT STRIKE.


M.KRISHNAN
                                                            Secretary General
                                Confederation Central Govt. Employees and Workers
&
National Federation of Postal Employees
                                                                                                Mob: 09447068125
                                                Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com