EDITORIAL POSTAL CRUSADER
“WE SHALL OVERCOME”
OBSERVE “WEST BENGAL SOLIDARITY DAY” ON 27.08.2014
The National Secretariat meeting of the Confederation of Central
Government Employees & Workers has given a nationwide call to observe “West
Bengal Solidarity Day” on 27th August
2014 to express full support and solidarity with the struggle of the people and
working class of West Bengal including Central Government employees, for
restoration of democratic rights.
Trade Union movements and its workers all over West Bengal are perpetually
subjected to violent attack by the hooligans abetted by the leaders of ruling
party of the state. Such attacks are often accompanied by repression of state
police force. Central Government Employees movement being part of Trade Union
movement is also bearing the brunt of the wrath of ruling class and state
administration.
In 2011 when a union backed by the ruling political party tried
to capture a Union office of Confederation affiliate at Nizam Palace, Kolkata,
by force, leadership of C-O-C West Bengal (State union of Confederation) rushed
to the venue to protest. A few employees who are the members of parallel union,
supported by hundred of outsiders of ruling party, attacked our comrades with
iron rods and bamboo sticks. Secretary of Confederation affiliate, i.e; CPWD
workers Union and one activist of the union suffered multiple injuries
including head injuries. They had to be admitted in intensive care unit of a
hospital and after untiring efforts of some doctors their lives could be saved.
Four C-O-C members were also severely beaten up. General Secretary of the C-O-C
was also not spared. Police framed cases against our comrades under charges of
rioting, carrying deadly weapons, causing injury etc. However, with the
firmness of the Union activists Union office could be retained.
Beginning with this, there have been innumerable incidents of
attacks and intimidation. No strike at the call of Central Trade Unions or
Confederation could be observed without violent attacks. Postal employees in
the districts are worst sufferers. Employees living near post office are
forcefully brought to work place by police and the cadres of ruling party. In
one case after police broke open the door of a post office at Belghoria, North
24 Parganas, which was closed due to 100% strike, lady Asst. Postmaster was
ordered to work. As she refused to break strike she was badly beaten up in
broad day light.
Our comrades, especially Gramin Dak Sevaks in villages are
compelled to leave their houses as they are supports of left forces and
carrying red flags of their union. Attacks were made on the Conferences of
Postal Union and Pensioners Associations in various places including Kolkata.
The displaced comrades could not attend office and are forced to go on leave.
Some of the GDS had to face disciplinary action for continuing on leave beyond
180 days.
Now-a-days local political leaders are intervening in
administrative matters like transfer and posting etc. Many Divisional
Superintendents are meekly following the orders of ruling political party
leaders in this matter. Further, at the instance of such leaders, NFPE members
are proceeded against in some cases as subsidiary offenders while primary
accused are helped to find escape-route.
During the last two days strike at the call of Confederation,
outsiders carrying flags of ruling political parties attacked striking
employees at Geological Survey of India Head Quarter and Ayakar Bhawan (Income
Tax office) at the heart of the city.
Recently some followers of ruling party working in Botanical
survey of India office, failed to get recognition of their union as they could
not muster the support of more than five percent of employees. This enraged the
political leadership and the followers of one Minister of West Bengal
Government who is regularly raiding the Botanical Garden at Howrah District to
intimidate the employees illegally entered the Garden and torn flags of BSI
Employees Associations and fixed their political party’s flag in the office
premises, threatening and abusing our employees.
During the previous one day strike of Confederation and two days
strike of Central Trade Unions attacks were launched by ruling party hooligans
at Barrackpore, Kalyani, Contai, Tamluk and few other places where striking
Postal comrades were manhandled. In Barrackpore sub Post office the Sub
Postmaster was made to wear a garland of shoes and abused. The same was
propagated through electronic media in order to defame not only that particular
comrade but also all strikers. Comrades who are manhandled during strike cannot
file police case as they were afraid of being arrested by police on false
charges.
Administration especially in Postal Department taking advantage
of the situation are harassing and issuing charge sheets against NFPE
activists. The Appellate authorities also suo-moto review the penalties and
impose severe punishments. Three comrades are awarded compulsory retirement.
Those three cases were for launching demonstrations. Attempts are being made to
change union by way of intimidation and threats by supporters of ruling party.
Inspite of it, most of the new recruits are enrolling in our union only due to
the sustained effort of our comrades. Ruling party leaders are intervening in
the internal affairs of the Postal Administration to get our leaders
transferred out of station. The common employees, especially lady employees are
being transferred to inconvenient places and after putting them in trouble the
transfer orders are reversed if the employees join unions supported by ruling
party.
It is in the above background Confederation has taken a decision
to extend full support and solidarity to West Bengal comrades. NFPE calls upon
All India/Circle/Divisional Unions to implement the call in true spirit all
over the country. Let us tell our West Bengal comrades that they are not alone
and the entire Postal fraternally is with them.
