IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS AT HEADQUARTERS

ALL INDIA COVENTION ON 29.11.2008 AT GUNTUR AS NOTIFIED EARLIER - NO CHANGE - ALL CIRCLE SECRETARIES AND CHQ OFFICE BEARERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND WITHOUT FAIL BY NFPE.

 

 

 

NFPE WILL SUBMIT ITS NOTE FOR MODIFICATION OF GDS COMMITTEE REPORT TO SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF POSTS SHORTLY.

 

NFPE SECRETARY GENERAL AND ALL GENERAL SECRETARIES OF AFFILIATED UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS ATTENDED THE MEETING TAKEN BY HONOURABLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS & IT.

 

DRAFT NOTE PREPARED BY NFPE ON CHARGE HAND OF MMS HIGHER PAY SCALES FOR DISCUSSION IN THE FAST TRACK COMMITTEE IS EXHIBITED FOR STUDY AND SUGGESTIONS BY CIRCLES.

 

NFPE ALL INDIA CONVENTION OF CIRCLE SECRETARIES AND CHQ OFFICE BEARERS AT GUNTUR ON 29.11.2008 AS SCHEDULED.

 

Dear Comrades!

 

NFPE SEEKS MODIFICATIONS OF GDS COMMITTEE:

 

NFPE has prepared its Note seeking modifications in the Nataraja Murthi Committee and the same will be submitted on Monday to the Secretary Department of Posts. NFPE is requesting for a discussion with the Staff Side before taking final decisions on the GDS Committee. After careful consideration of the Nataraja Murthi Committee Report in comparison with the Justice Talwar Committee Report and all other relevant developments including the Supreme Court Judgment on Statutory Gratuity, NFPE has come to the conclusion that seeking modifications is the best approach. There are some recommendations that try to negate all the achievements and improvements made by the NFPTE and NFPE during the past. The Federal Secretariat has decided that we should seek modifications to protect our existing benefits and to improve while reserving our right to the demands of Status and Statutory Pension for GDS. The Federal Secretariat also had decided that we should explore the possibilities of joint struggle on a common charter of demands of regular and GDS including industrial action if the common as well as the issues of GDS Committee are not settled. Accordingly we are submitting our Note seeking the modifications. The Note of NFPE will be exhibited in our website shortly.

 

MEETING ON PROJECT ARROW BY THE HONOURABLE MOSC & IT:

 

On 11.11.2008 a meeting was taken by the Honourable Minister of State for Communications & IT Shri.Jyotiradiya M.Scindia. The meeting was held in the Electronic Niketan, CGO Complex, New Delhi. The Secretary Department of Posts, the DDG [Planning] and the Director SR.

 

NFPE Secretary General and the General Secretaries of P3, P4, R3, R4, Admn and GDS attended in addition to FNPO and other recognised associations.

 

The Honourable Minster sought the cooperation of the staff side for Project Arrow launched by the Department of Posts. He assured that his total concentration for the development of Postal Department.

Since the meeting was only for half an hour, no detailed discussion could take place. However NFPE has in writing presented the view points of our federation. NFPE welcomed the initiative for improving the service to public and assured cooperation for such projects aimed at the welfare of the public. The letter pin pointed 5 important issues of employees relating to the Project Arrow viz., the transparency in launching such projects; the attack on Postmen and delivery system; the exemption from Screening Committee for keeping full compliment of staff strength; the need for training time to learn new technology and factors of Demotivation. The letter of NFPE is reproduced at the end of this write up.

 

 NFPE  NOTE ON CHARGE HAND TO FAST TRACK COMMITTEE:

 

NFPE took up with the Department of Posts requsting the issue of higher pay scale of Charge Hand to be remitted to the Fast Track Committee constituted by the Government along with the Master Craftsmen of Railways and Defence. Accordingly the issue had been referred to the Fast Track Committee. The issue is likely to be discussed shortly at the level of the Fast Track Committee in which Confederation leaders who are members of the Standing Committee National Council JCM will take up this issue. The Note prepared by NFPE is placed at the end of this write up for the consumption of Circle Secretaries and others. Comrades are requested to study and send their opinions if any immediately.

 

ALL INDIA NFPE CONVENTION OF CIRCLE SECRETARIES AND CHQ OFFICE BEARERS:

 

As notified in the NFPE Circular dated 31.10.2008, the National Convention of NFPE consisting of all Circle Secretaries of NFPE unions / associations and the CHQ / NFPE Office Bearers will be held in Guntur, Andhra.

 

The venue is the Nagarjuna University Campus. It is 15 KMs away from Vijayawada, in the National Highway between Vijayawada and Guntur. Reception Committee Comrades will guide all comrades from Vijayawada Railway Junction RMS.

 

The Convention is on 29^th November 2008 one-day only. All are once again informed that the dates printed in Postal Crusader are wrong and to suit the convenience of all the date has been preponed to 29.11.2008.

 

NFPE had discussions with the FNPO and Confederation. NFPE had discussion with the GDS General Secretary also. Our opinion is that before the notification of general elections, the issues related to Pay Commission and GDS Committee should be seriously negotiated and settled. NFPE Convention shall finalise the future programme of action including industrial action. NFPE has taken all efforts for a united action and consulting Postal JCA and Confederation.

 

GUNTUR ALL INDIA CONVENTION SHALL PLAN OUR FUTURE STRATEGY.

 

We are reproducing the NOTE ON CHARGE HAND FOR FAST TRACK COMMITTEE and the LETTER ON PROJECT ARROW SUBMITTED TO HONOURABLE MOSC & IT hereunder for the consumption of our comrades at all levels:

 

NOTE ON MASTER CRAFTSMAN IN MMS UNDER DEPARTMENT OF POSTS FOR DISCUSSION IN THE FAST TRACK COMMITTEE

 

The hierarchical structure of Mail Motor Service work shop cadres is as follows:

 

1. Artisan Grade III. [3050-4590]
2. Artisan Grade II : [4000-6000]
3. Artisan Grade I  : [4000-6000] *
4. Charge Hand    : [4500-7000]
5. Technical Supervisor: [5000-8000]

 

[* Note: This anomaly is due to merger of 1200-1800; 1320-2040 scales by V CPC]

 

The 6^th CPC recommended as follows in Para 7.6.8 under Department of Posts:

 

" Restructuring of the category of Artisans in Mail Motor Service has been demanded. It is observed that Technical Supervisors are diploma holders in automobiles and are in the pay scale of Rs.4500-7000. Their entry post of Artisan Grade II is in the pay scale of Rs.4000-6000 which is identical to that of Artisan Grade I even though the latter is a feeder post for promotion to the former. Technical Supervisors being diploma holders need to be extended the higher scale of Rs.5000-8000. On account of restructuring of pay structure, the post will be placed in the revised pay scale of Rs.6500-10500. Artisan Grade I will then be upgraded to the pay scale of Rs.4500-7000 corresponding to the revised pay band PB-1 of Rs.4860-20200 along with grade pay of Rs.2800. This revised structure will remove all the present problems in the hierarchical structure. The post of Charge Hand that is presently in the pay scale of Rs.4500-7000 shall be merged with that of Artisan Grade I in the same pay scale corresponding to revised pay band PB-1 of Rs.4860-20200 along with grade pay of Rs.2800."

 

The above recommendation has sorted out the anomaly in existence since V CPC viz., both the feeder cadre Artisan Grade II and its promotional cadre Artisan Grade I in the same pay scale of 4000-6000 due to the merger of IV CPC scales of 1200-1800 and 1320-2040. This anomaly was brought before the VI CPC by the Staff Side and the recommendation of the 6^th CPC solves this anomaly. But while doing so, another anomaly has been created by merging the Artisan Grade I with its promotional cadre the Charge hand, which is the master craftsman cadre in Department of Posts. Now the feeder cadre Artisan Grade I as well as its promotional cadre the Charge Hand are placed in the same pay band of 5200-20200 with grade pay 2800. Thus the existing hierarchical structure stands distorted and the status of a master craftsman cadre lowered. The 6^th CPC revised pay structure is as follows:

 

1. Artisan Grade III : [5200-20200 + Grade Pay 1900]
2. Artisan Grade II :  [5200-20200 + Grade Pay 2400]
3. Artisan Grade I  :  [5200-20200 + Grade Pay 2800]
4. Charge Hand     :  [5200-20200 + Grade Pay 2800] *
5. Technical Supervisor: [9300-34800 + Grade Pay 4200]

 

[* Note: The merger of Artisan Grade I with the Charge Hand caused this anomaly]

 

SITUATION IN RAILWAYS AND DEFENCE:

 

The Technical Supervisors and Chargeman Grade II in the Railways and Defence are in the following pay scales since III CPC:

 

3^rd CPC: 425-640

4^th CPC: 1400-2300

5^th CPC: 5000-8000.

6^th CPC: PB-2 with Grade Pay 4200.

 

The Master Craftsman cadre in Railways and Defence are in the following pay scales:

 

3^rd CPC: 425-640

4^th CPC: 1400-2300

5^th CPC: 4500-7000

 

* In Railways the above pay scale was modified with w.e.f. 1.1.1996 as 5000-8000. However In Defence the scale continued as 4500-7000.

 

In the Department of Posts the Charge Hand were given the following pay scales wherein except the 3^rd CPC the scales recommended identical by 4^th and 5^th CPCs:

 

3^rd CPC: 330-480

4^th CPC: 1400-2300

5^th CPC: 4500-7000

 

It can be seen that this Charge Hand was granted with lower scale of pay than his counterpart in Railways and Defence by 3^rd CPC but the anomaly was set right by the 4^th CPC which had granted an identical pay scale of 1400-2300 as like Railways and Defence. The 5^th Central Pay Commissions also maintained this parity on par with the Railways and the Defence by granting 4500-7000 pay scales. Even though the Railways modified it to the higher scale of 5000-8000 through fast tract committee, the Defence so far remained identical with Postal Master Craftsman. Now the Defence as well as the Railways have claimed higher pay scale for their Master Craftsman and the issue is once again going to the Fast Track Committee set up by the Government. Therefore  we request that the Master Craftsman of MMS in Department of Posts also should be granted with the identical higher scale of pay.

 

MERGER OF SCALES CAUSING REPEATED PROBLEMS:

 

Master Craftsman cadre in MMS of Department of Posts is the Charge Hand. As like Railways and Defence this cadre was given identical scales by 4^th and 5^th CPC. But the 5^th CPC recommendations caused another problem to the hierarchical structure. Because of 5th CPC's recommendation of merger of 1200-1800; 1200-2040 and 1320-2040 scales  both the Artisan Grade II and Artisan Grade I were placed in the same scale of pay of 4000-6000. The Charge Hand which is the promotional post for Artisan was also placed only in 4500-7000 unlike the Railways where 5000-8000 was implemented from 1.1.96.

 

Now the VI CPC has while granting 4500-7000 pre-revised scale to Artisan Grade I, has merged the Artisan Grade I with the Master Craftsman Cadre of Charge Hand despite the fact that the latter is the promotional cadre for the former. Both the feeder and promotional cadres are placed in the same PB-1 with Grade pay 2800.

 

MASTER CRAFTSMAN JOB PROFILE  JUSTIFYING HIGHER SCALE

 

Actually the Charge Hand which is the Master Craftsman cadre should have been placed identically with the Technical Supervisor / Charge man Grade II in PB-2 with Grade Pay 4200. This was the recommendation by 3^rd and 4^th CPCs. Though the 5^th CPC altered the situation, the Railways could modify the recommendations by once again establishing parity between the Master Craftsman and Technical Supervisors. The Defence demanded and not settled so far but there some percentage improvement was made in the strength of Master Craftsman in Defence.

 

The Charge Hand cadre therefore should have been placed identical with the Technical Supervisors instead of Artisan Grade I for the following reasons:

 

1. Artisan Grade I cadre looks after individual crafts like Mechanical or Electrical or Carpentry or Painting etc since their appointment as Artisan Grade III. From their appointment as Grade III Artisans to both of their next promotion as Grade II and then Grade I Artisans they perform their stream of craft only.

 

2. But the Charge Hand which is the promotional cadre for Artisan grade I practically supervises all the other Artisans Grade I, II and III. There is no Charge Hand separately for different crafts like Mechanical, Electrical, Painting, Carpentry etc. The Charge Hand is supervising the work of all the above craftsmen. Therefore the merger of Artisan Grade I with the supervisory and higher job content holder 'Charge Hand' [Master Craftsman] is not correct.

 

3. The Technical Supervisor which is the further promotional supervisory post for the Charge Hand with Diploma qualifications performs identical nature of job like Charge Hand. The Charge Hands are doing the same job content and discharges same work like Technical Supervisors. No difference in job content can be seen in the work of both Technical Supervisors and Charge Hand.

 

4. Therefore the Master Craftsman of Mail Motor Service under Department of Posts 'Charge Hand' shall be granted the pay band of 9300-34800 with grade pay 4200 as demanded by the Railway and Defence Master Craftsman cadres.

 

5. There shall be absolute parity for the MMS Charge Hand with the same cadre of Railways and Defence departments.

 

 

NFPE LETTER TO MOSC & IT ON PROJECT ARROW

 

PF- 09/2008    Dated 11^th November 2008 

 

To

Shri. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia

Honourable Minister of State for Communications & IT

Government of India

New Delhi – 110001

 

Sub: Project Arrow – reg.

 

Sir,

 

This Federation welcomes the Project Arrow initiative by the Department of Posts at your behest. We welcome any project that is aimed at improving the postal services to common man. However, this Federation desires to bring the following observations for your kind notice in order to achieve the aims and objectives of the Project Arrow:

 

1. Transparency: It is always better to take the staff side at all levels into total confidence before launching of any major schemes or projects as commitment  from staff is derived through transparency. Giving credence to the view points of staff side at field level is the key to success. This Federation is disappointed to note that this factor is only partially recognised in places of implementation of Project Arrow. We suggest more transparency and accommodativeness.

 

2. Mail Delivery: The mail delivery has been recognised as the mainstay of our organisation and Project Arrow is supposed to lead to betterment of mail delivery performance. Stringent measurers for betterment of delivery combined with technology induction are planned to reach the above objective. It is unfortunate that stringent measurers are understood as curtailment of delivery staff and conversion of 'double postmen beat' into 'single postman beat' and irrational change of delivery time and staff attendance etc. These measures in our considered opinion are not going to improve the desired delivery performance at all. The time-tested double beat postmen system is the basic element of successful delivery performance. Changing it into single beat postman system with reduced number of postmen in the Project Arrow Post offices will only further harm the existing efficiency of delivery. Without proper scheduling of mail vans and if necessary increase of mail conveyance facilities to deliver the mail bags intended for delivery at the delivery post offices in time but rescheduling of delivery time and delivery attendance unscientifically will fail to bring success to one of the basic targets of Project Arrow viz., a delighted customer leave alone a satisfied customer! We seek change of approach.

  3. Full Staff compliment: This Federation learns that instructions have been issued to keep the Project Arrow offices under full compliment of sanctioned staff 

     strength. This is a welcome decision. But since the project is being monitored from the level of the Directorate on day to day basis, the staff strength is being maintained by diversion of staff from other offices at present. The expansion of Project Arrow to thousands of other offices will render it impossible for the Divisional Heads to maintain the sanctioned strength of all the Project Arrow offices without the Postal Department is exempted from the ambit of Screening Committee and without increasing the strength of Leave Reserve staff of all cadres. It is also pertinent to be mentioned here that the non-filling up of posts including the residual vacancies in many circles from the year 2001 etc adding to the existence of above-30% shortage of staff. This situation should change for the success of projects like Project Arrow aimed at betterment of performances.

 

4. Technology: The importance of technology in the success of this project is appreciated. New services introduced by the Department of Posts should have a cushion-in-period for the staff to be imparted with the technology and new services. Introduction of new services with urgency and without time for the field staff to acquaint with the same is causing problems of efficiency and even leading to disciplinary action against innocent staff.  There shall be an experimental trial in selected offices before operationalizing it at a larger level. The field level staff are depending

 

5. Demotivation: The success of any project lies in motivating the staff in general. The instructions gone for Project Arrow had emphasised that as far possible the FTP Supervisors [Fast Track Promotion] are to be made Supervisors in the Project Arrow post offices. We can understand distinguishing Supervisors with proper aptitude to be posted in such offices of experimentation but this type of discrimination between the Supervisors of Regular Promotion and Fast Track Promotion made by the Department is causing all-round dissatisfaction amongst the majority of supervisory staff. In what way this will help the success of the project is anybody's guess. We suggest training and retraining to all without any discriminatory selections in future.

 

Thanking you Sir,

 

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

 

[K.Ragavendran]

Secretary General

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

GOVERNMENT SHOULD MODIFY NEGATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS OF GDS COMMITTEE

NFPE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT ENDORSES GDS PROGRAMME OF ACTION

 

NFPE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT MET TODAY

 

UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMME OF GDS UNION DEMANDING MODIFICATIONS OF GDS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE COURSE OF ACTION:

 

1. DEMONSTRATIONS AT ALL PLACES ON 11.11.2008 PROTESTING AGAINST THE NEGATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS OF GDS COMMITTEE AND DEMANDING MEANINGFUL NEGOTIATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS THEREON.

 

2. FULL SOLIDARITY AND PARTICIPATION IN THE PADA YATRA MASS CAMPAIGN PROGRAMME FROM 20.11.2008 TO 26.11.2008.

 

3. NFPE CONVENTION OF CIRCLE SECRETARIES AND CHQ OFFICE BEARERS TO MEET IN GUNTUR ON 29.11.2008 TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ABOUT FUTURE COURSE OF ACTION - CONSULTATION WITH CONFEDERATION AND POSTAL JCA WILL BE MADE BEFORE THE GUNTUR CONVENTION FOR BROADER UNITY.

 

BUILD STRONGER UNITY BETWEEN REGULAR AND GDS – CREATE CONFIDENCE THAT STAND UNITED WE WIN AND STAND DIVIDED WE FALL.

 

Dear Comrades! The NFPE Federal Secretariat has met today and discussed the GDS Committee recommendations and future task in particular.

 

The Secretariat noted unanimously that while marginal improvements are there in the GDS Committee Report, there are lot of negative recommendations that are to be focussed before the Department of Posts for rejecting the same.

 

The recommendations on DA Formula, Bonus Formula, Time factor, Gratuity, Prorata wages with corresponding categories of regular employees, TU Rights, Outsourcing of GDS functions and many other issues are negative in character and require to be either dropped or suitably modified.

 

It was decided that NFPE will submit a Note to the Department for its consideration of modification after discussion with us. NFPE will submit its Note after understanding the view points of the GDS Union on what type of modifications the GDS CHQ wants to be made in the report.

 

The Programme of Action called for by the GDS Union for Protest Demonstrations on 11.11.2008 and the Pada Yatra Mass Campaign from 20^th to 26^th November 2008 are unanimously endorsed by the NFPE. NFPE therefore call upon all Affiliated Unions and Associations at all levels to mobilise total solidarity and support to the cause of GDS and organise big demonstrations of regular employees in support of the demand for meaningful negotiations with the Staff Side for effective modifications on all negative recommendations before implementation of the Report of the GDS Committee.

 

Confederation of CG Employees has already adopted its resolution to organise an Indefinite Strike on a common charter of demands of Pay Commission related issues of CG Employees and GDS Committee related issues. NFPE will discuss with Postal JCA as well as with the Confederation for forging a larger unity of regular employees and GDS Employees for undertaking future course of action.

 

Let us unite with all for improving the GDS Committee and Pay Commission related issues.

 

Unity of all regular CG employees and GDS is the source of strength for meaningful negotiations.

 

Strengthen the unity and resolve to make progress.

 

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

NFPE SECRETARIATE MEETS ON 8.11.2008

NFPE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT MEETS ON 8.11.2008

SECRETARIAT MEETING TO DISCUSS GDS COMMITTEE REPORT AND FUTURE STRATEGY TO MODIFY NEGATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS.

SECRETARIAT ALSO TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES BEFORE THE GUNTUR NATIONAL CONVENTION OF CIRCLE SECRETARIES AND CHQ OFFICE BEARERS.

Dear Comrades! The Federal Secretariat of NFPE has been convened on 8th November 2008. The Secretariat will discuss about the GDS Report and about our future course of action to modify the negative recommendations. GDS General Secretary is also invited to the Federal Secretariat and he has consented to attend. NFPE desires a joint action and a joint approach. We want the Department to discuss with the Staff Side and modify all negative recommendations in the GDS Committee Report. Failure to do so shall result in industrial action including indefinite strike followed by a strike ballot.

The Strike Charter of Demands shall be modification of both Pay Commission and GDS Committee issues because that alone will enthuse all sections for a major action. Confederation of CG Employees has already taken decisions in that direction in its Extended National Executive Meeting. Guntur National Convention of NFPE that is a greater assembly of all Circle Secretaries and CHQ Office bearers of all affiliated unions and Federation shall take appropriate decisions.

NFPE Federal Secretariat will discuss all possibilities.

NFPE CALLS A LEADERS CONVENTION IN GUNTUR ON 29.11.2008 IN GUNTUR

NFPE ALL INDIA CONVENTION ON 29.11.2008

 

VENUE: NAGARJUNA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS - GUNTUR – ANDHRA

 

At the call of Confederation of CG Employees NFPE convenes National Convention.

 

All Circle Secretaries of NFPE Affiliated Unions / Associations and All India Office Bearers of all Affiliates and NFPE Office Bearers meet to decide the future course on the following:

 

Pay Commission denied Need Based Minimum Wages - Fitment Formula discriminative and biased against Employees – Grade Pay enhanced for officers only - Government unilaterally implemented without accepting modifications sought by the Staff Side JCM National Council

 

GDS Committee submits retrograde recommendations – Status, Statutory Pension & Statutory Gratuity Denied to GDS – Even Pro-rata wages with comparative categories denied - Rural Index for GDS DA Formula and Denial of Bonus Act Ceiling through in the PLB Formula to GDS - Attack on TU Rights of GDS.

 

Confederation National Executive resolved to go for Strike Ballot and Indefinite Strike before Elections – We cannot raise the pay commission related issues before the next Government if we do not struggle now – The GDS Committee Recommendations are most retrograde and without a struggle agenda no meaningful negotiations could take place.

 

It is time to take decisions!

Let us meet in Guntur on 29^th November.

All Circle Secretaries of P3 – P4 – R3 – R4 – Admn – Postal Accounts shall assemble there.

All Circle Secretaries of GDS Union shall also participate in the Convention – NFPE has discussed this with the GDS General Secretary.

All Circle Secretaries of SBCO and Civil Wing Associations shall be there.

CHQ Office Bearers of all the above Unions / Associations and the Federation Office Bearers are also to attend as delegates.

A Convention bigger than the Federal council of NFPE to take organizational decisions for struggle programme – Strike Ballot – and Indefinite Strike for CG Employees Pay Commission issues and GDS Committee  issues.

 

MAKE ALL PREPARATIONS TO BE IN GUNTUR FOR THE HISTORIC CONVENTION.

 

VIJAYAWADA JUNCTION IS THE NEAREST PLACE FOR GUNTUR.

VENUE IS ONLY 15 KM FROM VIJAYAWADA.

CONVENTION ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE MY THE RECEPTION COMMITTEE OF ANDHRA CIRCLE UNIONS – CONVENTION WILL TAKE PLACE IN AN AIRCONDITIONED AUDITORIAM IN NAGARJUNA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS.

 

The Circular issued by NFPE on 31^st October is reproduced below:

 

K.Ragavendran

Secretary General

 

CIRCULAR OF NFPE DATED 31.10.2008

 

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

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

PF-1(e)/12/2008    Dated 31^st October 2008.

 

To

All NFPE Office Bearers

All General Secretaries of NFPE Unions

All Circle Secretaries / Divisional / Branch Secretaries through Circle Secretaries.

 

Dear Comrades!

 

GUNTUR NATIONAL CONVENTION OF NFPE

NAGARJUNA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS – GUNTUR – 29.11.2008

 

A National Convention of NFPE comprising all the Circle Secretaries of NFPE affiliated Unions / Associations and Office Bearers of all CHQ and NFPE is organized by the Federation at the call of the Extended National Executive of Confederation. All other major affiliates of Confederation have completed their departmental level all India Conventions. NFPE being the biggest affiliate of the Confederation of Central Government Employees, this National Convention attains much significance in our task to launch a powerful campaign amongst the CG Employees in general and Postal Employees in particular.

 

Andhra Circle is our Host: NFPE National Convention will be held in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh on 29^th November 2008 at 10 AM. [Note: Not in December as reported by Postal Crusader November issue] Guntur is preferred for two reasons. First the Circle Unions of Andhra came forward to undertake the responsibility of hosting the great event in addition to the huge responsibility of holding the P3 AIC from 30.11.2008 to 2.12.2008; Secondly this will facilitate the Circle Secretaries and CHQ Office Bearers of P3 avoid undertaking another long journey after returning from their AIC.

 

Venue & Notice: The venue is  Nagarjuna University Campus at Guntur. All Circle Secretaries and Office Bearers of P3, P4, R3, R4, Admn and Postal Accounts and newly formed associations of SBCO and Civil Wing are requested to make their own travel arrangements to Vijayawada. The Secretary General NFPE had a discussion with the General Secretary of GDS CHQ and requested him to issue a Notice for GDS Union CWC meeting in Guntur on the same date to facilitate total participation of GDS Circle Secretaries and CHQ Office Bearers in the Convention. The venue 'Nagarjuna University Campus' is just 15 KM from Vijayawada in the National Highway between Vijayawada and Guntur. Reception Committee comrades will be guiding delegates from Vijayawada Railway Station RMS office.

 

Task of the Convention:  The major task of this National Convention comprising all the major leadership of our movement from Circle Secretary to CHQ Office Bearers – which by the way is bigger than the NFPE Federal Council in size - has a twin-task at hand. The Convention has to review the whole ground situation after the implementation of the Pay Commission and plan our strategy and tactics in organizing the Confederation-led movement for bringing about changes in the vital matters of Fitment Formula, NBM Wages etc. The other task is to review the GDS Committee recommendations and prepare the ground for a joint platform of struggle along with the GDS Union for issues arising out of the Nataraja Murthi Committee Report. Of course we have an inseparable task of reviewing the ACP, Cadre Restructuring and other issues of pay commission related matters of Postal Employees also. In nut shell this is a convention related to pay commission and GDS Committee affairs.

 

Importance of Timing: The timing of this convention and the launching of a struggle on 6^th CPC related Staff Side demands is very crucial. If we miss to launch struggle before the announcement of General Elections – then issues might go by default. After a gap of 6 months when a new Government in saddle, our issues might be refused to be reopened for the simple reason that these things were implemented by a previous Government without opposition from employees. We have to guard against such an eventuality. The acceptance of pay commission's implementation without modification would be a serious set back to us because there is not going to be another DA merger at any point of time in future as per the recommendations of the pay commission. The implementation of GDS Committee in its present form would bring a big blow to the interests of three lakhs of Gramin Dak Sewaks. A joint struggle of regular and GDS along with the entirety of CG Employees under the Confederation is the only logical alternative before us.

  

Delegate Fee: The Delegates of this National Convention will be strictly the Circle Secretaries of all Unions / Associations or one Circle Office Bearer deputizing in the inevitable absence of a Circle Secretary; and the CHQ and Federation Office Bearers. The Delegate fee will be a moderate 100/- only. The traveling expenses have to be borne by respective circle unions and CHQ only.

 

Session: The inaugural or opening session in morning in which the Confederation leaders will address and the Note for discussion will be submitted by the Secretary General NFPE. There after some time will be earmarked for the delegates' discussion. General Secretaries will address and the Secretary General will sum up the debate. The Convention will commence at 10 A.M and may extend well into a night session and therefore delegates are requested to make their return journey arrangement only on next day preferably after attending the open session of P3 AIC on 30^th November 2008 at 3 P.M.

 

NFPE requests all Circle Secretaries and CHQ / NFPE office bearers to attend this significant National Convention without fail and contribute immensely to the discussions.

 

GDS COMMITTEE REPORT

 

GDS Committee headed by Shri. Nataraja Murthi has submitted its recommendations. An analysis of the Report is already exhibited in our website. As expected no Status and Statutory Pension is recommended. The Report contains a lot of negative recommendations even though there are some improvements in certain areas. The basic thrust of GDS Committee is to emphasis that GDS are not civil servants and therefore they cannot be treated on par with regular employees on issues including DA formula, PLB formula etc. Even on matters like Statutory Gratuity, the recommendation though enhanced the quantum, failed to honour the judgments of High Court and Supreme Court. Pro-rata wages also denied this time and prorata comparison with appropriate modified scales of 6^th CPC has been ignored. The Committee advocates popularization of privatization schemes like LSVs, Franchisees etc to cause huge reduction of strength. In short the Nataraja Murthi Committee Report is a negation of Justice Talwar Committee Report. Launching of struggle unitedly is the only option for rejecting the negative aspects of the Report and for accepting justified claims of GDS.

 

There will be attempts to negotiate with the Administration but without simultaneous united and sustained struggle agenda, there may not be tangible improvements. The Guntur National Convention has to take stock of all these facts and arrive at appropriate struggle decisions.

 

NFPE SPECIAL DONATION

 

Once again all the Divisional and Branch Secretaries are requested to send the collected amount of NFPE Special Donation to the Treasurer NFPE without further loss of time. The November issue of Postal Crusader published the names of branches donated in September. This will continue.  It is very frustrating to again and again repeat about the financial difficulties of the Federation. We are still confident that our rank and file leadership will fulfill the task within a week time. Circle Secretaries are requested by the Federation to ensure their Divisional and Branch Secretaries remit the special donation to NFPE immediately.

 

OTHER ISSUES

 

1.      Modified ACP Orders are not yet issued by the DOPT. Only after the issue of DOPT order the Postal Department will be able to extend it to Postal Employees after processing the issue

2.      On issue of ACP Orders the TBOP, BCR Postmen and those completed 30 years of service will be provided with appropriate financial upgradations.

3.      Cadre restructuring proposals would be consolidated by the Federation soon on the CHQs finalizing them and would be submitted to Department for processing.

4.      The re-fixation of wages on revised pay structure for RRR, Paid Substitutes, Casual Labourers; Contingent Paid etc are being processed by the Directorate.

 

With Warn Greetings to all and a request to our Circle Secretaries to make out copies of this circular and send to all Divisional / Branch Secretaries under their respective circles.

 

Comradely Yours,

 

 

 

Sd/- 

[K.Ragavendran]

Secretary General

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

 

GDS COMMITTEE REPORT – AN ANALYSIS

 

Dear Comrades! The GDS Committee headed by Shri.Nataraja Murthi has submitted its recommendations to the Honourable Minister of Communications & IT on 29.10.2008. The Report contains more than 450 pages. A detailed study of the whole report is being undertaken by the Federation and the GDS CHQ. It may take some time to make a complete evaluation. However here we place our immediate reaction to the GDS Committee Report. NFPE is unhappy over the denial of basic issues of Status and Statutory Pension even though a social security scheme is suggested by the GDS Committee in lieu of lump sum grant of severance amount. Comrades are requested to send comments on their opinion and analysis by clicking on the 'comments' at the end of this article.

                      

Wage increase from 1.1.2006.

 

Arrears will be paid by two instalments @ 40% this financial year and 60% next financial year.

 

1.86 times of multiplication factor as like regular government employees is not recommended but only 1.74 times. Even the 5% increased TRCA in lieu of 50% DA Merger is to be adjusted in future increments. This is a heavy blow.

 

Even Prorata wages not recommended. The minimum wage of 7000/- implemented for upgraded Group C and for other cadres not reflected in TRCA computation.

 

Allowances are with prospective date of effect only.

 

Many Allowances like HRA, Transport Allowance, SDA, Compensatory Allowances etc are virtually denied.

 

Great discrimination on DA is being recommended.

 

PLB Bonus – Discrimination against GDS is introduced.

 

Performance Related Incentives Concept is introduced like 6^th CPC instead of grant of time factor to facilitate departmentalisation of GDS.

 

Despite Court Verdicts, Statutory Gratuity is rejected by GDS Committee.

 

GDS is considered as Part Time only by the GDS Committee.

 

Even the GDS Conduct and Employment Rules is recommended to be changed as GDS Conduct and Engagement Rules.

 

Some improvement on Welfare Measures recommended.

 

Group Insurance Cover very meagre increase only.

 

No improvement in Leave except 3 months maternity TRCA + DA for two child births, which is also denied if abortion or miscarriage occurs.

 

Retirement age reduced from 65 to 62.

 

Recruitment methods tightened.

 

Existing transfer rights also snatched – Only for spouse women employee and compassionate appointee to be considered for transfer.

 

Disciplinary Rules not democratised – no classification of major and minor penalties.

 

Attack on 1946 settlement of 50% PA vacancies to Postmen by reducing it to 25% and offering remaining 25% vacancies to outsider quota.

 

Trade Union rights curtailed – Monthly meetings at divisional level reduced – No right to affiliate with Federations etc. – ID Act coverage being removed -

 

 

TRCA Determination:

 

Nomenclature of TRCA will continue.

 

74% DA as on 1.1.2006 has been taken into account for arriving at the hourly rates of GDS as follows:

 

GDS BPM: Rs.915/- per hour

GDS MD/SV: Rs.888/- per hour

GDS MC etc: Rs.765/- per hour.

 

The above per hour amount will be multiplied by the number of working hours of the respective GDS for arriving at the minimum of the TRCA.

 

BPM

 

BPM Minimum Working Hours 3 Hours

For 3 Hours the Points will be 75 = Minimum TRCA is Rs.2745/-

For 3 Hours 30 Min. will be 87.5 Points = Minimum TRCA is Rs.3200/-

For 4 Hours the Points will be 100 = Minimum TRCA is Rs.3660/-

For 4 Hrs 30 Min the Points will be 112.5 = Minimum TRCA is Rs.4115/-

For 5 Hours the Points will be 125 = Minimum TRCA is Rs.4575/-

 

But for estimating the workload of BOs the present norm of Rs.1000/- = 1 Point is changed adversely into Rs.20,000 = 1 Point on ad-hoc basis. This is too high. This will affect the work load of BOs resulting in lower TRCA.

 

GDS MD:

 

GDS MD up to 3 Hours is newly introduced in the name of decreasing work load due to fall in mail traffic. This will be applicable only for future recruits.

GDS MD for 3 Hours = Minimum TRCA Rs.2665/-

GDS MD for More than 3 Hrs but upto 3 Hrs 45 Mins = TRCA Rs.2870/-

GDS MD for more than 3 Hrs 45 Mins but upto 5 Hrs = TRCA Rs.3635/-

 

ANNUAL INCREASE:

 

Not even the 3% annual increment allowed by Government for regular employees is recommended to GDS. Only an Annual Increase in TRCA for 1.74% to 1.96% is permitted as follows:

 

Category of GDS                Scale proposed                       Annual Increase

 

GDS SPM                            Rs. 4575-85-7125                          Rs. 85

 

 

GDS BPM                   Rs. 2745-50-4245

(3hours work/upto 75 points)                         Rs. 50

Rs. 3200-60-5000

(3hrs.30min./upto 87.5 points)                       Rs. 60

Rs. 3660-70-5760 

(4 hrs./upto 100 points)                                  Rs. 70

Rs. 4115-75-6365

(4hrs.30min./upto 112.5 points)                      Rs. 75

Rs. 4575-85-7125

(5 hrs./upto 125 points)                                   Rs .85

 

 

GDS Mail Deliverer / GDSSV

 

Rs. 2665-50-4165 (upto 3 hrs. workload). This will                                                        Rs. 50

be applicable for future engagements and present

incumbents will continue to be paid for a minimum

of 3 hrs. 45 min.

 

Rs. 3330-60-5130 (more than 3 hrs. and upto 3 hrs.                  Rs. 60

45 min.)

 

Rs. 4220-75-6470 (more than 3 hrs. 45 min.                                                              Rs. 75

workload)

 

GDS Mail Carrier / Pkr./ Mail Man

 

Rs. 2295-45-3695 (upto 3 hrs. workload. This will                    Rs. 45

be applicable for future engagements and present

incumbents will continue to be paid for a minimum

of 3 hrs. 45 min.

 

Rs.2870-50-4370 (more than 3 hrs. and upto 3 hrs.

45 min. of workload)                                                                   Rs. 50

 

Rs. 3635-65-5585 (more than 3 hrs. 45 min. of

workload)                                                                                    Rs.65

 

 

MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE OFFICE

 

50/- is only doubled as 100/= per month.

 

CYCLE MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE

 

The existing 30/- not enhanced at all except that the condition for covering a minimum distance of 10 KMs is taken away. But the recommendation that all cyclable beats to be measured on cycle beat formula on all cases of GDS MD and MC is a very retrograde recommendation. This has to be opposed strongly and protection of foot beat formula has to be insisted upon.

 

BOAT ALLOWANCE

 

Boat Allowance of 10/- is changed into actual charges paid for boat travel which should be decided by the respective circles.

 

ALLOWANCES FOR REMITTANCE OF CASH

 

Rs.10/- and actual bus fare is paid now for remittance of cash. It is recommended that when the remittance amount exceeds 30,000/- [two days line limit]  the BPM may be granted 50/- including transportation cost for personally conveys the remittance. When the cash exceeds 4 days line limit an escort to accompany the BPM with additional 20/- including transport cost. For emergency payment the BPM can bring remittance from Account Office also under the same allowances limit.

 

FIXED STATIONERY CHARGES

 

Rs.10/- for SPM/BPM increased as Rs.25/- and Rs.5/- for others is doubled as Rs.10/-.

 

MANY ALLOWANCES REJECTED FOR GDS

 

HRA, CCA, Split duty Allowance, Special duty Allowance for North Eastern areas, other compensatory Allowances, like special compensatory (Hill Area Allowance), Border Area Allowance, Island Special Duty Allowance, Project Allowance, Tribal Area Allowance, Hard Area Allowance, Bad Climate Allowance, Sunderban Allowance, Transport Allowance, overtime allowance are not recommended, keeping in view of the basic character of the Gramin Dak Sevak system.

 

COMBINED DUTY ALLOWANCE

 

For combined duty of GDS MD or MC or both, a GDS BPM is now given a combined duty allowance of 100/- and this is increased as 500/- for each item of work. But if the delivery work is only for the BO Village and no attached villages then the combined duty allowance is 250/-. And for conveyance of mails it is recommended that instead of next office the mails to be handed over to MMS or Train with 250/- as combined duty allowance. For GDS MD or MC when the duties are combined they would be given a daily allowance of 25/- instead of monthly allowance of 75/-.

 

VERIFICATION OF TRCA FIXATION

 

A cell of Audit office is to verify the TRCA Fixation done by the SSPOs or SPOs.

 

NO SPLIT DUTY FOR GDS

 

GDS are not to be brought on split duty.

 

DETENTION BEYOND DUTY HOURS

 

The present rate of 3/- per hour for detention beyond duty hours while waiting for train or MMS for handing over mails subject to a maximum of 6/- per day only is doubled @ 6/- per hour subject to a maximum of 12/- per day.

 

PAYMENT THROUGH SB ACCOUNT

 

The GDS should be paid through SB Account.

 

DEARNESS ALLOWANCE

 

A new consumer basket based on rural area to be worked out for payment of DA to GDS. Till such time the present All India Consumer Price Index [Industrial Workers] be continued for payment of DA. This is a negative approach to deprive the present rate of DA available to GDS on par with regular employees.

 

 

PRODUCTIVITY LINKED BONUS

 

Committee wants to reduce the Bonus Act guaranteed bonus ceiling to GDS. It has recommended to fix only 50% of the ceiling fixed to the lowest category of regular employee until a new formula is worked out as recommended by 6^th CPC for Postal PLB. This is very negative in character and need to be resisted.

 

PERFORMANCE RELATED INCENTIVES

 

GDS Committee gives emphasis on performance related incentives as recommended by the 6^th CPC. Recommends continuation of incentives for all type of savings and PLI/RPLI work and marginally increasing incentive percentage in some cases but refusing time factor for any such work.

 

EX-GRATIA GRATUITY

 

From 18,000/- increased to a maximum of 60,000/- or 16.5 months of basic allowance whichever is less. The minimum service is reduced from 15 to 10 years for entitlement of Gratuity. The GDS Committee discussed about the Punjab & Haryana High Court and Apex Court on the matter or Gratuity and in a callous manner rejected the statutory gratuity ordered by the Honourable Courts by stating that the matter is still open to law.

 

GROUP IINSURANCE COVER

 

The present group insurance cover of 10,000/- is increase to a paultry 50,000/- with monthly subscription of 50/-.

 

 SEVERANCE AMOUNT

 

The present Severance Amount of 30,000/- is doubled as 60,000/- @ 1500/- per year of service so that for a maximum of 40 years service the total severance amount will be 60,000/-. The period of eligibility is reduced from 15 to 10 years. However the GDS will be given an option for either to remain under this Severance Scheme or go over to a new scheme called "Service Discharge Benefit Scheme" under which the GDS will get a monthly payment after retirement. A sum of Rs.200/- will be paid by the Government and no need for matching contribution by the GDS. The Severance amount as per the eligibility will be calculated and deposited into the Service Benefit Scheme. The total amount so accumulated at the time of retirement will be annutised and monthly payment to GDS will be made.

 

GPF

 

GDS Committee refused to recommend GPG to GDS. Instead it has recommended for a PPF Scheme or as an alternative provide for the Service Benefit Scheme.

 

WELFARE SCHEMES

 

Some welfare schemes presently available to GDS are enhanced. The death while on duty by terrorists etc is doubled from 50,000 to 1 lakh and while not on duty from 10,000 to 20000. New benefit of 1,50,000 introduced for death due to enemy action like war or action against terrorism etc. Financial assistance for prolonged illness is increase from 1500/- to 5000/-. Some marginal increases are recommended in some other cases.

 

MEDICAL BENEFIT

 

Recommended to Government to consider introducing a contributory health scheme. It has also recommended to consider a contributary insurance scheme. After discharge from service the retired GDS and Spouse may be allowed benefit without any contribution from GDS.

 

LEAVE

 

EL etc are denied. The present 10 days per six months is converted into 20 days paid leave in a year instead of 10 days in six months but without permitted to carry over the leave.

 

Instead of maternity leave a financial compensation of three months TRCA and DA will be considered from the Welfare Fund for female GDS for first two child births. This will not be allowed if there is miscarriage or abortion.

 

TRANSFER

 

GDS Committee do not find allowing transfer to GDS a feasible proposition. Even existing transfer facilities curtailed. It is permitted transfer within division only for female GDS after marriage to join her spouse; Surplus GDS to get alternate employment; and compassionate appointees.

 

SECURITY

 

Security to be furnished by the GDS has been increased from 10,000 to 25,000 to GDS SPMs/BPMs and from 5000/- to 10,000 for others. This is overburdening of GDS and additional financial expenditure for them.

 

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

 

The Committee observed that though operationally the present qualification of Matriculation prescribed for the GDS SPM/BPM is adequate, to provide for higher administrative efficiency in the context of new services that are likely to be introduced in rural offices and improvement in educational levels, preference may be given to the candidates with higher qualification of 10+2. No weightage need be given for qualification higher than 10+2. There is also need to prescribe that the candidates should have knowledge in local language, as this will be essential for functioning of the BPM.

 

2. The Committee suggests that there may not be any relaxation in the minimum educational qualification for the wife of the deceased GDS while making compassionate appointment as BPM/SPM and relaxation of educational qualification may however be considered for other GDS posts.

 

PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENTS

 

The Department may consider that all future engagements in leave vacancies, short term vacancies, be managed by combination of duties. If such combination is not found feasible in such cases the work may be managed by local arrangement unless it is decided to make a provisional arrangement after following the regular process of selection.It has to be made clear that arrangements made though for long period without following the recruitment process do not entitle regular absorption for engagement in a GDS vacancy. The existing instructions of providing alternate employment to a provisionally engaged candidate after rendering three years of engagement though he was not initially engaged by due process of selection need to be modified in this context.

 

16.7.7 Further, instructions already exist that, temporary engagements even in long term arrangements will be allowed only when the work load of the BO as well as its financial position justifies such engagement on regular basis.

 

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT

 

Therefore, the existing recruitment procedure requires refinement and it should be  clearly indicated in the notification about the provision of suitable accommodation on his own arrangement of the selected candidate and mandatory condition of taking up residence in the place of duty before taking up appointment. Similarly in the letter of engagement, the appointing authority should clearly intimate that any failure to take up residence in the place of duty would be violative of the conditions of engagement and liable to be proceeded under Rule 10 of GDS (Conduct and Employment) Rules, 2001 and the note II (vii) below Rule 3 of the Conduct rules may be modified to

the effect.

 

RETIREMENT AGE REDUCED WITHOUT GRANTING STATUS

 

Keeping in view the need for efficient discharge of duties and also that an increase in the benefits/ payments on discharge of GDS are now being suggested, the age of discharge of GDS be fixed at 62 years against present age of 65 years. With this, there will be one time extra outgo of cash disbursement towards ex-gratia gratuity and Severance amount The Department may effect this change in a phased manner over a period of 3 years.

 

EXAMINATION FOR FILLING UP UPGRADED GROUP C POSTS

 

The multi skilled Group 'C' posts are to be filled up from outsiders. Preference may be given to GDS to the extent of 75% to GDS and 25% of vacancies to (Casual labourers recruited before September 01, 1993) subject to their qualifying in the recruitment examination. The GDS upto the age of 50 years having Matriculation qualification and who have put in 5 years of continuous service may be allowed to take this examination. In respect of casual labourers, they should fulfil the educational qualification of Matriculation and should have been recruited initially through Employment Exchange. The examination will be based on requirement for discharge of Group 'C' duties which will be identified by the Department. The duties which are of Group 'D' nature may be managed by other means. The multi skilled Group 'C' recruited may not be allowed any transfer from the division where they are recruited. In order to maintain the local character of the job, the present provision of transfer under Rule 38 of Volume IV may be modified.

 

POSTMEN / MAILGUARD VACANCIES

 

GDS Committee recommended for filling up the Postmen / Mailguard vacancies in the following manner:

 

25% by Multi-functional Group C through examination.

50% by GDS through examination who are matric with 50% marks and 5 years service and below age of 45.

25% by outsiders through examination with matriculation and 50% marks with 18-25 age.

Number of chances to be limited to 6. This is against our interests.

 

POSTAL ASSISTANT VACANCIES

 

The Committee recommends that the clerical vacancies may be apportioned as 25% to be filled up through promotion of Postman and multi functional Group 'C' and the remaining 75% may be offered for outsiders' quota. This recommendation is totally overstepping of its limits by the GDS Committee and in contravention of existing 50% - 50% apportionment for Postmen/Group D and outsiders at present. This should be opposed totally.

 

MULTI SKILLED GROUP C VACANCIES

 

GDS Committee has recommended for 75% vacancies to GDS and 25% vacancies for casual labourers to continue but through a recruitment examination as direct recruitment instead of seniority cum fitness basis.

 

GDS VACANCIES ARISING DUE TO DEATH

 

GDS Committee recommended only temporary arrangement for 90 days can be made with the dependent of the deceased GDS and unless his application for compassionate appointment is positively approved he shall not be continued beyond 90 days. Combination of duty is suggested for temporary arrangement also.

 

PENALTIES

 

The demand for classification of major and minor penalties has been rejected outright. No improvement in the matter of Put Off duty compensation other than the recommendation for considering enhancement upto 50% after 90 days if the enquiry delay is not due to GDS.

 

TRADE UNION FACILITIES

 

1. A channel of correspondence to effectively address the problems of GDS at Divisional, Regional, Circle & Directorate levels needs to be ensured.

 

2. Formal meetings to discuss unresolved issues through correspondence be held once in 3 months at Divisional level, once in 4 months at Regional level and once in 6 months at Circle and Directorate level.

 

3. The cost of a substitute wherever it is necessary to engage be met from the Department upto 2 members for periodical meetings subject to the provision that the combination of the duties is not feasible.

 

4. The present periodicity of holding All India Conference may be revised to 3 years with a grace per six months.

 

5. Formal regular meetings with Recognised GDS unions once in six months at Directorate Level with Member (P), as Chairman, the participation of concerned Deputy Directors General with Directorate (SR) as the convener be conducted. The unresolved issues in six monthly meeting with Member (P) if any may be placed before Secretary, Posts for perusal and action as deemed necessary.

 

6. The Department may consider amending the existing Rule 4(d)(i) of EDAs (RSA) Rules, 1995 for the purposes of recognising second association. The existing percentage of 15% of membership may be revised to 30,000 verifiable membership.

 

Thus it can be seen though the GDS Committee has gone way away to recommend for changing the ED[RA]Rules for recognising second union without fulfilment of 15% minimum condition, it has on the other hand taken total negative decisions in matters of affiliation with Federations; Special leave for Conferences, Foreign Service to General Secretaries etc. Even the existing facility of monthly meetings at divisional level is being curtailed.

 

 

NFPE APPROACH ON GDS COMMITTEE:

 

The adamant attitude of the Department of Posts in not accepting the constitution of GDS Committee under the chairmanship of a Judge was not an aimless exercise. The Administration feels that it cannot face another post-Justice Talwar Committee type of situation leading to many struggles for implementation of positive recommendations of Justice Talwar Committee Report. The Administration desires a tailored report to limit the scope of recommendations and that was the purpose of constituting a retired- officer-headed Committee. By accepting the Officer Committee by all organisations instead of strengthening the hands of NFPE which on a principle stood firm to demand a Judicial Committee for GDS the damage had been done already. Accepting the Nataraja Murthi Committee meant that we do not anticipate any positive recommendations on Status and Statutory Pension for Gramin Dak Sewaks. However there are many negative and retrograde recommendations in the Report that need to be fought and removed.

 

NFPE favours negotiating with the Postal Administration seriously to safeguard against all such negative and retrograde recommendations.

 

NFPE favours building up a strong united platform of Postal Employees and of the CG Employees and launching a powerful movement culminating in industrial action for gaining Status and Pension for GDS and for settlement of modifications of basic issues of CG Employees. A joint Charter of Demands and a joint struggle as envisaged by the Confederation.

 

NFPE favours deeper discussion in the national convention of NFPE organisations and GDS Union in Guntur in December 3-4 for working out our strategy of struggle in consultation with Postal JCA.

 

 

 -
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE