PREPARE FOR SERIOUS CAMPAIGN TO SETTLE OUR CHARTER OF DEMANDS

PREPARE THE MASSES FOR INDEFINITE STRIKE ON COMMON AND SECTIONAL CHARTER OF DEMANDS

 

NFPE PREPARED A SECTIONAL CHARTER OF DEMANDS AT GUNTUR CONVENTION AND SUBMITTED TO DEPARTMENT FOR NEGOTIATIONS AND SETTLEMENT AND INDEFINITE STRIKE IF DEMANDS NOT SETTLED

 

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE CONFEDERATION PREPARED A COMMON CHARTER FOR NEGOTIATIONS AND INDEFINITE STRIKE IF NOT SETTLED

 

IT IS TIME TO PREPARE SERIOUSLY AS  NO NEGOTIATIONS HELD BY DEPARTMENT ON SECTIONAL CHARTER DESPITE OUR ULTIMATUM LETTER GIVEN TO DEPARTMENT ON 9.12.2008 ITSELF.

 

NO NEGOTIATIONS HELD BY GOVERNMENT IN STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE STAFF SIDE DEMANDS ON PAY COMMISSION RELATED ISSUES ETC

 

Dear Comrades! The NFPE Circular issued intimating the Charter of Demands of all CG Employees as circulated by the Confederation, the Charter of Demands of Postal Employees including GDS and regular employees, the Strike preparatory tour of Confederation and NFPE is reproduced below. The Circular already stands despatched to Circle Secretaries through respective CHQs:

 

    

Email: www.nfpehq@gmail.com

Website: www.nfpe.blogspot.com

                                                                               

      NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

        1st Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi – 110001 

PF-1(e)/14/2008                                                                 Dated 17^th December  2008.

 

To

All NFPE Office Bearers / All General Secretaries / Circle Secretaries.

All Divisional / Branch Secretaries through respective Circle Secretaries.

 

Dear Comrades!

 

TOWARDS AN UNITED INDEFINITE STRIKE

 

The National Executive of Confederation that met on 13.12.2008 has resolved to organize a massive rally of Central Government Employees in New Delhi on 2.1.2009 and to submit Notice for an Indefinite Strike to Cabinet Secretary and to all respective Secretaries of Ministries / Departments. The decision is to commence the Indefinite Strike from 20.01.2009 to press for settlement of CG Employees demands connected to implementation of 6th CPC as well as for sectional issues of employees of every department. The Confederation Executive has desired that the NFPE which has decided to commence an Indefinite Strike from 6.1.2009 to synchronize our action from 20th January instead of 6th January. NFPE has to agree in order to organize a common and united struggle, NFPE will also synchronize with the decision of the Confederation to serve the strike notice on 2.1.2009 to launch the Indefinite Strike from 20.01;.2009. Thus our earlier decision of Guntur Convention stands slightly modified.

 

CG EMPLOYEES STATE CONVENTIONS:

 

The Confederation National Executive has resolved that state level C.G.Employees Conventions in all State Capitals from 6th January to 9th January 2009 will be organized as below:

 

 

06.01 2009      Bhopal, Allahabad, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Calicut.

07.01.2009      Lucknow, Nagpur, , Dehradun, Bangalore, Patna

08.01.2009      Shimla, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Raipur.

09.01.2009      Chennai, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Shillong.

12.01.2009:     Ahmedabad.

 

NFPE representatives in these state level conventions are as furnished below:

 

D.K.Rahate President NFPE: Ahmedabad

M.Krishnan Working President NFPE: Bangalore

K.K.Sharma Vice President NFPE - Shimla

K.Ragavendran Secretary General NFPE: Allahabad, Lucknow

K.V.Sridharan General Secretary P3: Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai

Ishwar Singh Dabas Deputy Secy General NFPE: Dehradun, Chandigarh

Giriraj Singh General Secretary R3: Nagpur, Mumbai

P.Suresh General Secretary R4: Bhubaneshwar

S.P.Mukherjee General Secretary Admn: Ranchi, Patna

P.Rajanayagam General Secretary Postal A/c: Hyderabad

R.N.Parashar Secretary NFPE: Bhopal, Raipur

Somnath Mukherjee Deputy General Secretary P3: Guwahati, Shillong

 

MOBILISE TOTAL STRENGTH FOR STATE CONVENTIONS

 

Since there will not be a separate NFPE Strike tour programme by all India leaders for these State Capitals, it is suggested that NFPE Circles and all Divisional / Branch Secretaries in these Capital Cities and surrounding branches should mobilize total strength of postal employees to these conventions. NFPE representatives will cover both common CG issues and Postal sectional issues of the Charter of Demands.

 

NFPE & CHQ LEADERS STRIKE TOUR PROGRAMME

 

NFPE office bearers and CHQ office bearers of all affiliates of NFPE shall be attending the following all India strike preparatory meetings noted as follows:

 

Circle Secretaries of all organizations shall accompany the CHQ leaders in these strike preparatory meetings to be held at the Regional Headquarters. The Divisional / Branch Secretaries of all unions may kindly mobilize their total strength from the adjoining branches also to these meetings.

 

Andhra:

 

KURNOOL [11.01.08]

VIJAYAWADA [12.01.09]

VISAKAPATNAM [13.01.09]

 

NFPE: R.Seethalakshmi Secretary NFPE & Vice President P4 CHQ.

P3: R.Shivannarayana AGS

R3: M.B.Sukumar AGS

R4: B.Narasimhulu Vice President     

Admn: R.Aravindan OGS

 

 

Assam & NE:

 

[11.01.2009] DIBRUGARH

[13.01.2009] SILCHAR

 

P3: Somnath Mukherjee Deputy General Secretary

P4: Milan Bhattacharjee CHQ President

R3: P.Kamleshan Vice President

R4: Sanjay Chakraborthy AGS

Admn: S.S.Samanta OGS

 

Bihar & Jharkhand:

 

[12.01.2009] MUZAFFARPUR,

[14.01.2009] JAMSHEDPUR

 

P3: U.K.Tiwari OGS

P4:  K.D.Bhagat Vice President

R3: Mayashah AGS [12^th ] & G.Talukdar AGS [14^th

R4: K.K.Sharma Treasurer

Admn: Dyutiman Mukherjee Vice President

 

Chhattisgarh:

 

[12.01.2009] DURG,

[13.01.2009] BILASPUR

 

P3: R.C.Misra Vice President

P4: Kumbhkar OGS

R3: Giriraj Singh General Secretary

R4: Ram Naresh Vice President

Admn: B.C.Deka OGS

 

Delhi:

 

Secretary General and all available General Secretaries and Office Bearers of CHQs will address meetings in all major Post Offices, RMS offices, Circle Office and Postal Accounts Office along with the Circle Secretaries of NFPE Unions.

 

Gujrat:

 

[13.01.2009] VADODARA.

[15.01.2009] RAJKOT.

 

P3: K.B.Barot Working President

P4: B.K.Chalke AGS

R3: C.S.Shanbag AGS

R4: S.M.Patil AGS

Admn: T.Ramesh President

 

Haryana & J&K

 

[12.01.2009] GURGAON;

[13.01.2009] AMBALA,

[14.01.2009] JAMMU

 

NFPE: Raj Kumar Treasurer

P3: Balwinder Singh Treasurer

P4: E.William OGS

R3: Jagdish Prasad Treasurer

R4: Tiarath Parkash AGS

Admn: Bhag Singh AGS

 

Punjab:

 

15.01.2009] LUDIANA,

[16.01.2009] AMRITSAR

 

P3: Balwinder Singh Treasurer

P4: E.William OGS

R3: K.P.Singh AGS

R4: Meva Singh AGS

Admn: Mayaram Treasurer

 

 

Karnataka:

 

[12.01.2009] MYSORE.

[14.01.2009] DHARWAD.

 

P3:  C.P.Shobana Vice President

P4:  T.M.Peer Mohammad OGS

R3:  Y.Nagabhushanum Vice President

R4: Lakshmipathy AGS

Admn: P.Sathish Kumar OGS.

 

 

Madhyapradesh:

 

[12.01.2009] GWALIOR,

[14.01.2009] INDORE;

[15.01.2009] JABALPUR.

 

P3: S.K.Nema OGS

P4: Mahabir Singh Treasurer

R3: S.K.Bardhan AGS

R4: P.Suresh GS

Admn: M.Jagdish AGS

 

 

Maharashtra:

 

[12.01.2009] GOA; 

[13.01.2009]; PUNE,    

[14.01.2009] AURANGABAD.

 

NFPE: D.K.Rahate NFPE President & R3 CHQ President.

P4: Ishwar Singh Dabas General Secretary

P3: Mangesh Parab AGS

R4: J.A.Ghodke President

Admn: S.C.John AGS

 

 

Orissa:

 

BHUBENESWAR: JOINT CIRCLE COUNCIL MEETING: 11.01.2008

 

P3: K.Ragavendran Secretary General & Working President

P4:  Kumbhkar OGS

R3: G.Talukdar AGS

R4: Sanjay Chakroborthy AGS

Admn: Pranab Bhattacharya AGS

 

 

Rajasthan:

 

[12.01.2009] JODHPUR;

[13.01.2009] AJMER

 

P3: H.P.Diwakar Assistant Treasurer

P4: J.U.Mahidha Vice President

R3: K.P.Singh AGS

R4: Ramnaresh Vice President

Admn: M.Z.Khan Vice President

 

 

Tamilnadu:

 

[04.01.2009] Pondicherry;

[05.01.2009] TIRUCHY,

[06.01.2009]; MADURAI,

[07.01.2009] COIMBATORE.

 

NFPE: Chandrasekhar Secretary NFPE

P3: R.Shivannarayana AGS

P4: S.K.Humayun Deputy GS & V.Rajendran AGS

R3: P.V.Rajendran AGS

R4: K.Rajendran Vice President

Admn: K.Ramachandram OGS

 

 

U.P:

 

[12.01.2009] GORAKHPUR

[13.01.2009] KANPUR

[14.01.2009] AGRA

[15.01.2009] BAREILLY

 

NFPE: R.N.Parashar Secretary NFPE

P3: Subash Misra AGS

P4: Vikram Sah AGS.

R3: Jagannath Singh  [15^th ] & R.N.Dhal AGS [13^th and 14^th]

R4: Beni Madhav Mishra AGS.

Admn: M.U.Khan OGS.

 

KERALA AND WEST BENGAL:  WILL HAVE PROGRAMMES AS CHALKED OUT BY THE CIRCLE UNIONS.

 

Headquarters will shortly exhibit campaign materials in our websites. These materials supplied by Confederation and NFPE/CHQs may be used for addressing meetings, issuing pamphlets for circulation etc by all.

                                 

BRANCH LEVEL MEETINGS: The divisional / branch level strike preparatory meetings need not wait until the all India leaders meetings are over.  These divisional / branch level meetings may be undertaken on dates to the best convenience of Circle leaders. We are aware of the festival mood in some parts of the country during the last week of December 2008 and during the middle of January 2009 and prepared the all India leaders strike tour programme accordingly. Local strike preparatory meetings also suggested taking into account these factors and chalk out appropriately.

 

EFFORTS FOR UNITY WITH FNPO

 

NFPE is taking all efforts to discuss with the Secretary General FNPO federation for trying to forge unity for joint struggle. If an organizational decision to this effect is taken by the FNPO Federation, then the above NFPE Strike Tour Programme will automatically stands converted into a programme of Postal JCA. But we have to wait for the decision of FNPO until 2nd or 3rd of January 2009.

                             

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

 

The Charter of Demands is of two categories. One is the common demands of all CG Employees divided into two parts. First part is pay commission related issues and the second part is the long pending issues of CG Employees. The other category is the sectional demands of Postal Employees. The Charter of Demands are as follows:

 

I.                    COMMOM DEMANDS RELATED TO 6^TH PAY COMMISSION:

 

1.         Grant Rs 10000 as minimum wage as per 15 ILC Norms.

2.         Grant minimum fitment benefit of 2.625 times of pre-revised basic pay to bring about uniform rise of 40% in emoluments and raise grade pay to 50% of the maximum of the pre-revised scales in respect of PB 1,2 & 3 as has been done in the case of PB 4.

3.         No abolition of Gr.D. Posts and functions. Lift ban on recruitment, fill up all vacant posts and scrap screening Committee.

4.         Grant 10% of pay+ Grade pay as minimum benefit on promotion or financial up gradation.

5.         Fix the date of effect of all allowances as 1.1.2006.

6.         No performance related pay or bonus scheme

7.         Revise the Transport and daily allowances as demanded by the staff side JCM National Council.

8.         Remove the condition of 6 months for applying the uniform date of Ist July as increment dates.

9 .        ACP to be on hierarchical system obtaining in each department.

10.       Retain and improve CGHS and make insurance scheme optional

.

11.       Implement flexitime working hours for women/disabled employees as recommended by the 6 CPC and remove clause (iv) of OM No.13019/2/2008-Estt.(L) dated 18th Nov. 2008 on Child Care Leave.

12.       Direct all the Departmental Heads to settle 6^th CPC related department specific demands/problems within a stipulated time.

13.       Grant civil servant status and Pension to 'Gramin Dak-Sevaks.'

14.       No reduction in the commutation value and restoration of full pension after 12 years.

15.       Compute the pension entitlement on the basis of notional pay as on 1.1.1996

 

II.                  LONG PENDING DEMANDS IN JCM NATIONAL COUNCIL:

 

1.         No outsourcing or contractorisation of Govt. functions.

2.         Grant statutory defined pension scheme to the employees recruited after 1.1.2004 and withdraw the PFRDA Bill from Parliament.

3.         Implement the Board of Arbitration Awards.

4.         Remove the arbitrary 5% ceiling and 3 years condition on compassionate appointment and withdraw court cases and absorb all waitlisted RRR  candidates.

5.           Implement the revision of bonus ceiling @ 3500/- in the case of all personnel employed by the Government including casual/contingent and daily rated workers and Grameen Dak Sewaks. Replace adhoc bonus with the PLB and remove the 60 days ceiling

 

I.                   POSTAL EMPLOYEES SECTIONAL DEMANDS: [to be submitted by Postal Organisations to Department of Posts]

 

1. Modify and improve the recommendations of Nataraja Murti Committee and reject the retrograde recommendations [list of modifications / rejections endorsed separately].
2. Re-fix the wages all Paid Substitutes – RRR Candidates – Part Time / Contingent w.e.f. 1.1.2006 on the basis of 6^th CPC Revised Pay Scales.
3. Exempt Postal Department from the purview of Screening Committee and fill up all vacant posts in all cadres immediately.
4. Hold Periodical Meeting and JCM Departmental Council / RJCM Regional Council meetings as per the schedule.
5. Implement all issues of April 2007 Strike Settlement.
6. Negotiate and settle the sectional charter of demands submitted by Federations and unions on 15.02.2008.[Sectiional Charter of demands enclosed]
7. Finalise Cadre Review for all cadres – creation of a separate establishment for System Administrators and redressing their current problems.
8. Improve the ACP and make it applicable to Postal Employees.
9. Remove all trade union victimisation in all Circles and end irrational application of Contributory Negligence orders.
10. Do not introduce new schemes without consultations with the Staff Side.
11. Withdraw the SLP against the RRR Candidates and absorb them immediately.
12. Grant immediate fixation of higher scale as per 6^th CPC to TBOP/BCR Postmen / Mailguards.
13. Grant higher pay scales to Head Mail Peons at par with Postman / Mailguard.
14. Grant Notional fixation for Artisan Grade I in MMS w.e.f. 1.1.1996 at par with the Railways and Defence.
15. Redistribute the LSG / HSG II / HSG I posts for Circle Offices including DPLI Kolkata.
16. Withdraw decentralisation of PLI/RPLI functions.
17. Stipulate periodicity of deputationists to Circle Offices and recruit new incumbents.
18. Ensure integration of all Accounting streams in DOP under PA Wing and stop the proposed move to decentralise Postal Accounts.
19. Restore the 3 year periodicity for promotion to Senior Accountant cadre.

 [Sectional Charter as under Number 6 above is separetely published in the next blog]

 

SUBMISSION OF STRIKE NOTICE BY ALL INDIA ORGANISATIONS ON 2.1.2009

 

 

As per the decision of the National Executive of Confederation, a massive rally of CG Employees including Postal will be organised at Jantar Mantar New Delhi on 2.1.2009 and then Indefinite Strike Notice would be served on each Head of Department by respective organisations as well as on the Cabinet Secretary by the Confederation.

 

The Circular of the Confederation allotting quota to each COC is enclosed. However the circles like Haryana, Punjab, Himachal, Rajasthan, M.P, U.P and Uttarakhand  are requested to bring maximum employees to Delhi to take part in the massive demonstration while serving the Strike Notice.

 

All Circle Secretaries are requested to mobilise mass rallies in front of Chief PMG Offices on 5th January to submit copy of Strike Notice served by all India Organisations to the Circle Head.

 

Demonstrations in front ot Divisional Offices / Head Offices / HROs etc shall be conducted in other centres on the same day viz., 5.1.2009.

 

PREPARE THE MASSES

 

Dear Comrades!

 

The NFPE All India Convention held at Guntur has formulated a Charter of Demands and decided that an ultimatum to be served to the Department to negotiate and settle them. The Convention had directed us to serve strike notice and launch indefinte strike if no negotiations are held to settle the issues. The ultimatum served to the Department of Posts by the NFPE on 9.1.2008 containing the entire Charter of Demands has received no reaction from the Department so far. This shows the importance attached to our issues and our letter of ultimatum by the Department.

 

Similarly there is no reaction from the Government to the letters written by the Confederation seeking meaningful negotiations on the demands presented by the JCM Staff Side which were ignored while implementing the recommendations of pay commission.

 

An indefinite strike took place on the issues of GDS Committee and we were assured that before the Postal Board sends its proposals to Cabninet we would be adequately consulted. However by the time we prepare for the launch of the indefinite strike the situation would be clear as to whether the positive approach of the Senior Officers Committee shown during our discussions with the Committee would be translated into actual action or not. If not the issues of GDS Committee would be one of the top priority of our indefinite strike from 20th January 2009.

 

Comrades!

 

We want a meaningful negotiations conducted by the Department with the Staff Side for a settlement of postal employees sectional issues. We also want a similar negotiation and settlement on the 6th CPC related common issues which were finalised unilaterally by the Government without any final round of discussion with the Standing Committee.

 

If we miss the opportunity then we would be missing a lot. There is no option before the movement but to go for full fledged preparation of indefinite strike from 20.01.2009 with the entire organisation geared up to perform the task.

 

Let us jump into the struggle.

 

Let us confidently go ahead with the understanding that our indefinite strike shall be launched with all our might and strength.

 

Comrdely Yours

 

 

Sd/- 

[K.Ragavendran]

Secretary General

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

GDS UNION WITHDREW STRIKE

GDS UNION GENERAL SECRETARY HAS MET THE SECRETARY [P] TODAY EVENING AND AFTER THE MEETING THE INDEFINITE STRIKE HAS BEEN CALLED OFF.

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

INDEFINITE STRIKE WITHDRAWN

 

NFPE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT DECIDED TO WITHDRAW THE INDEFINITE STRIKE

 

DECISION ON THE BASIS OF THE APPROACH OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR NOT TAKING ANY UNILATERAL DECISION ON GDS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS WITHOUT CONSULTING THE STAFF SIDE

 

DECISION IS INFLUENCED BY THE NON-NEGATIVE APPROACH OF THE SENIOR OFFICERS COMMITTEE HEADED BY SHRI P.K.GOPINATH

 

GDS CHQ ADVISED BY NFPE SECRETARIAT TO COLLECTIVELY CALL OFF TO MAINTAIN UNITY FOR NEGOTIATIONS AND FUTURE ACTION

 

Dear Comrades!

 

The Federal Secretariat of NFPE met today at 9.00 P.M. in the Office of the NFPE. Before the meeting started the General Secretaries, the Secretary General and the office bearers of the NFPE had a detailed discussion with the General Secretary of GDS Union. The situation arising out of the two days strike conducted jointly by the GDS Union and by the NFPE and its affiliated unions was discussed. It was pointed out to him that since the approach of the Senior Officers Committee is positive on many issues and that the Department has given a letter to us admitting that the Staff side would be provided with adequate opportunity to present our view point before the Postal Board sends the proposals to the Cabinet, there is no compelling reason to continue the Indefinite Strike into the third day.

 

It was also pointed out by the Secretariat members that if the Department is negative and denies any negotiating table then there would have been no other alternative but to intensify the strike. But since that is not the case the need for continuing the strike is absent. Even though the General Secretary GDS Union also concurred  that the approach of the Senior Officers Committee was positive during the interaction between the Committee and the GDS Union today, he expressed his decision that he cannot agree to the view point of NFPE to suspend the agitation. He favoured continuing the strike and to appear before the Regional Labour Commissioner for continuing the conciliatory proceedings.

 

In this background the NFPE Federal Secretariat analysed the whole situation thoroughly and came to the unanimous conclusion that the solidarity strike call for Indefinite Strike cannot be continued for the third day and that the strike call of the NFPE and its affiliated unions shall have to be suspended forthwith. NFPE Secretariat further resolved to request the  GDS General Secretary also to suspend the strike action collectively and preserve unity in ongoing and further negotiations and for future actions.

 

If for any reason the GDS Union finds itself difficult to withdraw its strike action simultaneously, the NFPE Secretariat has resolved to call upon the entirety of postal employees to extend support by organising demonstrations etc for the GDS even after withdrawing the Indefinite Strike action.

 

Dear Comrades! NFPE is an organisation of historic traditions. We are an organisation of militant class consciousness. We never hesitated to agitate or organise strikes or continue to go on higher form of action if need be. But we cannot be dogmatic when negotiating forums are made available to us by the Department. We even now hope that the GDS CHQ would realize the need for unity and united approach of all organisations and would take action before late to fall in line with the entirety of NFPE organisations that always stood by the side of the downtrodden GDS and will always stand by their side.

 

We reproduce hereunder the gist of discussions held with the Senior Officers Committee headed by Shri P.K.Gopinath at 12.00 hours on 18.2.2008 and the letter given by the Department of Posts dated 18.12.2008 assuring us that no proposal would be forwarded to the Cabinet before providing us adequate opportunity for us to present our views as well as the Resolution unanimously adopted by the NFPE Federal Secretariat held at 9.00 P.M. on 18.12.2008.

 

NFPE DISCUSSED MODIFICATIONS ON GDS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS WITH SENIOR OFFICERS COMMITTEE.

 

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION POSITIVE

 

NO DRAMATIC DEPARTURE FROM STATUS QUO PRACTICE ON MANY ISSUES

 

Dear Comrades!

 

Today NFPE Delegation consisting of Comrades K.Ragavendran [Secretary General NFPE]; K.V.Sridharan [General Secretary P3]; and Ishwar Singh Dabas [General Secretary P4] attended the discussion with the Senior Officers Committee headed by Shri.P.K.Gopinath Chief Postmaster General Delhi Circle. The full Committee took the meeting with us and more than one hour all issues raised in our Note to Secretary [P] were discussed.  We insisted that the Government of India should now consider our demand for grant of Civil Servants status under the light and spirit of several Supreme Court Judgments.

 

The approach of the Senior Officers Committee is positive. The Chairman of the Committee shared our opinion and asserted that no dramatic departure should be made on many established practices like Pro-rata comparison with Mail Overseers, Postmen, Group D; same DA formula; same PLB Bonus ceiling etc. Even on the matter of our assertion that GDS should be treated as holders of Civil Post as per the Supreme Court judgment and not to be downgraded as part timers or vetti or thalayaris etc, the approach of the Committee is positive.

 

The following points have been insisted within the limited time available to us for discussion with the Committee:

 

1. Status of Civil Servants to be accorded to GDS and all benefits and all allowances on par with regular shall be proportionately granted.
2. Prorata wages on the basis of historical comparison with Mail Overseers, Postmen, Group D to be maintained and no violation as recommended by GDS Committee should be accepted. The Committee is positively responded to this.
3. There should be only two pay scales for the work load for 3.45 minutes and above. This would be considered.
4. Rate of increment shall be @ 3% and not as recommended by GDS Committee. The Committee may favourably consider this issue.
5. DA Formula should not be changed as recommended by GDS Committee by introducing a Rural Basket and the same formula in existence for all CG Employees should be continued without any change. The Committee felt that no need to drastically change the existing system of DA Formula.
6. PLB Formula should be same for all Postal Employees and the recommendation of the GDS Committee for reducing the ceiling for GDS should not be accepted. The Committee appreciated our view point and may consider favourably.
7. Fixation of Pay for GDS should ensure exact comparative Prorata wages including the Grade Pay Quantum and weightage should be ensured @ one increment per two years of service. This will be considered.
8. Pension in the name of Service Discharge Benefit offered by the GDS Committee is very low and it has to be as per Justice Talwar Committee and a minimum of 1750/- per month should be ensured by modifying the recommendations of the GDS Committee. The Severance Amount presently payable to Promotees from GDS shall continue. All our suggestions will receive due consideration of the Committee.
9. Gratuity should not be less than the amount prescribed under the Gratuity Act 1972 as per the Supreme Court Judgment. The issue will receive due attention.
10. No adverse change to be introduced in the promotional avenue and promotional methods for GDS like introduction of direct recruitment in Postmen cadre and introduction of examination for becoming upgraded Group C. This will be considered favourably. In addition we demanded that the Department should consider ACP for GDS also. We also insisted introduction of element of recruitment of PA Cadre from amongst the GDS by appearing the exam for the unfilled vacancies.
11. Transfer shall be permitted to GDS against vacant posts without restriction. The issue was discussed deeply and the Committee may give some positive decision also.
12. Leave shall be at least 50% of total leave available to regular and the facility to carry forward the leave accumulated without any restriction be permitted. Maternity leave should be same as regular without difference and should be paid from the exchequer and not from welfare fund.
13. No abolition of GDS posts, offices etc. The Committee again reiterated that no drastic departure from the existing position.
14. The standards particularly tightening of standard like cash counting etc for BPM recommended by GDS Committee should be rejected. The Committee agreed that the recommendation of GDS Committee is unscientific. We hope the Committee may favourably consider this issue.
15. Retirement age should not be reduced. The Committee felt that no need to drastically change the status quo.
16. No abolition of GDS MM, GDS SV, ED BOs, ED SOs and GDS SPM etc. The Committee will consider continuation of existing system instead of drastic departure of the present.
17. No PSSK or Franchisee outlets should be opened in lieu of BOs.
18. Combined duty should be compensated by actual work load and not a meagre allowance.
19. On Cycle beat – Foot beat formula, we demanded that the 1987 agreement shall be honoured. This was agreed to.
20. Office Maintenance Allowance should be at least 200/- per month in addition to grant of actual electricity charges.
21. Rate of compensation for detention beyond working hours shall be fixed as 25/- and not as recommended by the Committee. This will be favourable considered.
22. Night co-efficient should be compensated by hourly wages and not just Mazdoor charges.
23. Introduction of minor penalties in GDS Conduct Rules insisted.
24. Procedure of obtaining Security Bond should be dispensed with.
25. Review of establishment should be conducted as per the present norms.

 Above all the major break through is non-curtailment of trade union facilities. The Committee has observed that the recommendations of Nataraja Murti Committee on this count are beyond the jurisdiction of the GDS Committee.

 

In nut shell the over-all approach of the Senior Officers Committee headed by Shri P.K.Gopinath the Chief Postmaster General Delhi Circle is positive. If the approach exhibited by the above Committee is reflected in their submission of Report, then it will solve major problems created by the retrograde recommendations of Natraja Murti Committee.

 

LETTER OF DEPARTMENT ADDRESSED TO NFPE AND GDS UNION DATED 18.12.2008 IS REPRODUCED BELOW:

 

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

 

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi

File No.8/12/2008-SR                                                Dated the December 18, 2008

 

Subject: Notice for Indefinite Strike starting on 17.12.2008 given by All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union and National Federation of Postal Employees along with its affiliated unions.

 

 

In the wake of strike notice 02.12.2008 given by All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union and letter dated 09.12.2008 of National Federation of Postal Employees and its affiliated unions showing their solidarity for the strike action, the conciliation proceedings were started by the Regional Labour Commissioner [Central] on 12.12.2008. Further proceedings in the matter were held in the fore noon of 15.12.2008 in the chamber of Regional Labour Commissioner [Central], who suggested the management side to give a meeting to the Staff side and accordingly she fixed a meeting for 14.00 hours. However, Shri.S.S.Mahadevaiah, General Secretary, All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union, did not report for the meeting and this was brought to the notice of the RLC.

 

2. The next sitting of the conciliation proceedings took place on 16.12.2008 at 11.00 hours, wherein the Staff side was persuaded to at least defer the strike on the plea that the report of the GDS Committee was still under the examination by the Department. However, the Staff side did not agree to the view point expressed by the Department as well as by the RLC and remained adamant on their stand to proceed on strike. The RLC once again suggested that the management should a meeting to the Staff side and the meeting was fixed for 15.00 hours. The RLC further suggested that NFPE and its affiliated unions may also be invited in the meeting to be taken by the management.

 

3. The meeting taken by the DDG [Estt] started at 15.00 hours of 16.12.2008,,which was attended by Secretary General, NFPE and General Secretaries of P III, R III, P IV and Administrative Offices Union, affiliated to NFPE and General Secretary of AIPEDEU. The Staff side was appraised of the fact that the recommendations of the GDS Committee are still under consideration by the Group of Senior Officers and its report is likely to be submitted shortly, after which it will be considered by the Postal Services Board and the recommendations of the Postal Services Board will be finally considered by the Cabinet. The Staff side will get adequate opportunity to present their view points.

 

4. In the light of the facts stated above, the Staff side may kindly appreciate that their action of going on strike in the context of recommendations of the GDS Committee is unfounded and it would be in the fitness of things if they call off the strike and resume their duties and restore normalcy.

 

Sd/-

DIRECTOR [SR]

 

1. Secretary General National Federation of Postal Employees
2. General Secretary, All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union

RESOLUTION ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY IN THE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT MEETING HELD ON 18.12.2008.

 

The Federal Secretariat which met at 9.00 P.M. on 18.12.2008 greeted the entirety of GDS and also the regular employees who went on Indefinite Strike as per the call of the GDS Union and the solidarity call of the NFPE and all its affiliated unions and associations. The Federal Secretariat analysed the entire situation including the ongoing strike situation and the meetings held with the Department and the Senior Officers Committee headed by Shri.P.K.Gopinath during the past three days in which NFPE and all its General Secretaries took part along with the GDS General Secretary.

 

The Federal Secretariat evaluated that the approach of the Senior Officers Committee in the discussions on the modifications sought by the staff side, and felt that the approach is positive. The assertion by the Chairman of the Committee that there may not be any major departure from the established positions like pro-rata wages in comparison with corresponding categories of regular employees; DA formula; PLB formula, existence of BOs as per present norms, establishment matters, trade union facilities etc is a positive signal. The Committee responded to favourably consider many of our demands for modification and improvement.

 

The Department also made it clear during the course of the meeting held on 16.12.2008 as well as through a written communication to the NFPE and GDS Union dated 18.12.2008 that " .. the recommendations of the GDS Committee are still under consideration by the Group of Senior Officers and its report is likely to be submitted shortly, after which it will be considered by the Postal Services Board and the recommendations of the Postal Services Board will be finally considered by the Cabinet. The Staff side will get adequate opportunity to present their view point."

Therefore it is thus assured that no unilateral decision will be taken on the recommendation of the Nataraja Murti Committee without discussing with the Staff Side.

 

In this background, the Federal Secretariat discussed thoroughly and resolved that there is no need to continue the strike anymore. The Federal Secretariat also analysed the efforts taken by several leaders including the Secretary General to convince the GDS General Secretary to collectively suspend the strike action and return to discussion table offered by the Department. The Secretariat also after hearing the view points of GDS General Secretary resolved to request and to appeal the GDS CHQ to suspend the strike action collectively and preserve unity in ongoing and further negotiations and for future actions.

 

The weapon of struggle can be resorted to at any time if necessary if the written word of the Department and the positive approach of the Senior Officers Committee is violated. The Federal Secretariat also resolved unanimously to suspend the Indefinite Strike action called by the NFPE and its affiliated unions and associations and call upon the membership to restore normalcy of postal operations from tomorrow morning itself. The Federal Secretariat also resolved to appeal the GDS CHQ to take identical view and suspend the Indefinite Strike action called by them also. However if the GDS Union continues with their action, the Federal Secretariat resolved to call upon the entirety of membership to extend support through demonstrations etc.

 

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

GOPINATH COMMITTEE INVITED FOR DISCUSSION TODAY

SENIOR OFFICERS COMMITTEE HEADED BY SHRI P.K.GOPINATH CHIEF PMG DELHI CIRCLE INVITED FEDERATIONS FOR DISCUSSION

 

NFPE & FNPO FEDERATIONS WILL DISCUSS AT 11.30 HOURS TODAY MORNING

 

GDS UNIONS WILL DISCUSS WITH THE COMMITTEE AT 14.30 HOURS TODAY EVENING

 

ALL MODIFICATIONS WE NEED IN NATARAJA MURTI COMMITTEE WILL BE INSISTED BY US

 

Dear Comrades!

 

NFPE Congratulates all comrades of GDS and regular for their heroic participation in the Indefinite Strike. As usual Kerala and West Bengal recorded total strike. There was a very good strike of GDS and regular in Andhra and Tamilnadu. In Assam entire RMS employees stood with the GDS. Good strike by GDS reported from some other circles also. As we receive more reports from other Circles and areas we will come to know about it. 

 

Today at 11.30 Hours the Senior Officers Committee headed by Shri P.K.Gopinath Chief Postmaster General Delhi Circle constituted by the Department for going into the GDS Committee Report has invited the Federations for discussion on the Note submitted by us seeking various modifications / improvements in the Report. We will try to impress upon the Committee on all modifications absolutely necessary in the Report for protecting all the hard won benefits by our movement and also to improve the Report to gain more.

 

Greetings.

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 17.12.2008

TALKS HELD BETWEEN DDG [Estt] AND STAFF SIDE AT 15.00 HOURS ON 16.12.2008

 

NO AGREEMENT REACHED

 

INDEFINITE STRIKE DECISION STANDS GOOD

 

Dear Comrades!

 

On the direction of the Regional Labour Commissioner the Department of Posts held a discussion with the Staff Side consisting of the GDS Union and the NFPE with all its General Secretaries at 15.00 Hrs today.

 

The Deputy Director General [Estt] took the meeting. The delay caused by the Senior Officers Committee in not discussing with the Staff Side and not completing its task before the assigned time of 7^th December 2008 are protested by us and pointed out that this has caused the resentment at the lower levels.

 

Talks were held for nearly one hour. However no settlement could be reached. The Indefinite Strike decision of the GDS Union stands good. The Federal Secretariat decision to join the strike also stands good. Make all out preparations for the success of the indefinite strike.

 

With struggle greetings

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE