CONFEDERATION AND NFPE PROGRAMME OF ACTION

                                                                                                                      011-23092771

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

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

 

 

PF- 01(e)/6/2008      Dated : 7th May 2008

           

To 

All General / Circle / Divisional / Branch Secretaries

NFPE Unions

 

WE WANT MODIFICATION OF  PAY COMMISSION REPORT

 

Dear Comrade,

 

The Federal Executive of NFPE in its meeting on 29th April 2008 while noting that the basic modifications of financial nature sought in the Pay Commission's Report like Minimum wage, fitment formula etc will be dealt by the Staff Side JCM and the fundamental issues like abolition of Group D, corporatisation, Outsourcing and Contratorization etc will be focused by the Confederation of Central Government Employees through an independent programme of action, had decided to focus attention on our Note to Secretary [P] submitted on 17.04.2008 seeking changes / modifications in the Pay Commission's Recommendations with regard to postal employees.

 

All Circle / Regional / Divisional / Branch Secretaries of NFPE unions are requested to observe the following programme of action of Confederation as well as the NFPE's independent Programme of Action as follows:

 

1. Confederation Programme and Charter of Demands

 Demands

 1.     No abolition of Gr. D Posts; No contractorization of Group D Functions; No Corporatisation of Govt. Departments; No outsourcing or downsizing; lift the existing ban on recruitment; fill up all posts; do not abolish posts.

 2      Scrap the new pension scheme;  No privatization of pension payments.

 3      Restore commutation of pension after 12 years.

 4      No privatization of health care; No medi-insurance scheme; Extend CCS

         (MA)  rules to Pensioners; strengthen CGHS.

 5      No introduction of PRP based salary system.

 6      Grant minimum wage as per ILC norms; reduce the disparity between

        minimum and maximum salary by maintaining 1:10 ratio.

 7      Increase the rate of increment; concede the fitment formula to bring about

        uniform  benefit.

 8      No replacement of Bonus and overtime allowance with PRIS; Grant Bonus

         for 2006-07 on the basis of the revised ceiling limit.

 9      Regularize Casual/Contingent/daily rated workers; treat GDS as full-fledged

         civil  servants; afford pension and other benefits to them on par with the other

         central Govt. employees.

 

PROGRAMME OF ACTION

     

      a)   To organize demonstration/mass meetings in front of all offices from 13 to 15th   May, 2008

      b)  To organize a massive Mass Dharna programme at a central place at all stations unitedly by all organizations on 16th May, 2008 and adopt the following resolutions and forward the same to the Prime Minister with copy to the Secretary Staff Side, JCM, National Council, 13-C, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi.

 

 

Resolution

 

                This meeting of the ________________________________________hereby resolves to

                urge upon the Hon'ble Prime Minister to kindly direct the concerned to negotiate and

          settle the demands of the employees appended hereunder:

 

President _____________________Federation / Union

 

 

2. NFPE Programme

 Demands

 

  1.  No abolition of Group 'D' Posts – Upgrade all non-matriculate Group D including non-test category to upgraded scale PB-1 [3050 pre-revised] w.e.f. 1.1.2006 without any discrimination – Promote GDS in all vacant Group 'D' posts – No outsourcing or Contractorising of Postal Group 'D' jobs.

  2.  Lift ban on recruitment and exempt Postal from the purview of Screening Committee to fill up all vacant posts in all cadres;

 3.  Expedite the submission of Nataraja Murti GDS Committee and grant Status, Pension, Gratuity, Maternity leave, Promotion, TU Facilities and all benefits on par with civil servants;

 4.  Restore the disturbed relativity with TBOP/BCR of Department of Telecommunications by upgrading Postal TBOP / BCR to pre-revised 5000-8000 and 5500-9000 scale of pay and place the TBOP officials in PB-2 pay band;

 5.  Constitute Cadre Review Committee for restructuring various cadres and addressing genuine grievances of various cadres of postal department, which has not been examined by the VI CPC and improve the Time bound promotion scheme and reach fresh agreement – Implement the recommendation of restructuring committee for Postal Accounts;

 6.  Grant Supervisory Allowance @ 10% of Basic + Grade Pay to PRI /LSG / HSG-II/ HSG-I and Selection Grade Postmen / Mailguard like Head Postman, Head Mailguard, Sorting Postman, Cash Overseer, Mail Overseer & allied cadres – Grant Incharge Allowance to remaining Sub-Postmasters;

  7.  Grant Higher Scale to PO&RMS Accountants; Allow the Special Allowance for fixation of pay on promotion;

  8..  Form 'Technology Wing' and create a separate establishment for System Administrators and grant higher pay scale for Marketing Executives and Development Officers;

  9.  Upgrade Charge Hand in MMS to facilitate elevation to PB-2;

10.  Upgrade Sorters in Postal Accounts to pre-revised 3050 scale of pay;

11.  End discrimination in cash handling allowance between Cashiers of RMS and Treasurers of Post offices;

12.  Merge the scale of pay of Despatch Riders with that of the Drivers.

13. Expedite implementation of OTA  Arbitration Award and revise suitably the rates of OTA based on wage increase by 6^th CPC; Do not withdraw MPCM Allowance etc.

 

PROGRAMME OF ACTION

     

      The following Programme of Action be implemented and the undermentioned Text

      of Savingrams / Telegrams be sent to Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan,

       New Delhi – 110001 to focus attention on the above demands of postal employees:

 

 

 1.  Mass Demonstration in front of O/o Divisional Offices / HPOs / HROs on 27th  May 2008 all over the country; 

 

2.   Mass Demonstration in front of Regional Offices jointly by all NFPE unions on 28th  May 2008 all over the country;  and

 

3.       Massive Demonstrations by Postal Workers under the banner of the Postal Circle Co-ordination Committee in front of Circle Offices in all Circles and in Delhi Circle the demonstration shall be organised in front of Dak Bhawan on 29th  May 2008.

 

 

Resolution to Secretary Department of Posts

 

                This demonstration of the Postal employees of _________________________________

                Division / ________________ Circle  hereby resolves to urge upon the Secretary [P]  to

                 kindly settle the 13 Point Charter of demands of the employees.                                        

 

                              Secretary / Convener 

 

 

Comrades are requested to organise these Programme of Action of Confederation and the NFPE Federal Executive with all our might in a united manner seeking modification of the unjustified recommendations of 6th CPC. Circle Secretaries are requested to kindly circulate this to all the Divisional and Branch Secretaries and take all organisational measurers to make the Programme of Action a massive success.

 

 

Standing Committee JCM Held

 

Government convened the Standing Committee of the National Council JCM to discuss the Note submitted by the Staff Side seeking modifications in Pay Commission Report. The discussions are exploratory and priliminary in nature. Confederation effectively argued for the modifications. Further discussions will be held.  Confederation circular under issue.

 

 

POSTAL CRUSADER SPECIAL ISSUE

 

Circle Secretaries are requested to obtain a full-page advertisement from Cooperative Societies / Banks and Divisional Secretaries are requested to obtain at least one advertisement for each division for the Special Issue of Postal Crusader June Issue. Advertisement Tariff already posted to all Circle / Divisional Secretaries by the Federation. The Federation finances are very critical. Kindly send the advertisement and the DD/Cheque early to the NFPE.

 

With Regards,

 

Comradely Yours

 

 

Sd/-

K.Ragavendran

Secretary General

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

STANDING COMMITTEE DISCUSSIONS ON MODIFICATIONS

Dear Comrades,

 

The gist of discussions held in the meeting of the Standing Committee of JCM National Council is circulated by the Confederation. The Circular of the Confederation is placed hereunder:

 

 

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

 

 

No.D.11/05/08    Dated: 07.05.08

 

 

Dear Comrade,

 

The first meeting of the Standing Committee after the 6^th CPC submitted its report to the Government took place today.  The meeting was chaired by the Secretary Personnel, in the presence of the Secretary Expenditure.  The subject matter of discussion at the meeting was the formulations made by the Staff Side JCM for effecting changes in the recommendations of the Commission.  At the outset the Secretary (Personnel) stated that the meeting was convened with the objective of understanding the views of the employees on various recommendations of the Commission, so that he would be able to present the same before the Committee of Secretaries.  A brief resume of the discussions is placed hereunder:

 

1. Minimum wage:

 

The Staff Side presented a report of the Survey conducted by the ASSOCHAM during the period between 2003 and 2008 over the price movement of various essential goods, which had indicated that the price differential between the WSP and retail prices in most parts of the country was of the order of 60 to 70% and contended that the estimation made by the Commission by adding  20% to the whole prices of commodities to arrive at the retail price was erroneous.  This apart the exclusion of 25% to be added for the purpose of meeting certain social obligations and 1/9^th for the purpose of meeting the housing requirement were also effectively contested.  The Staff side pointed out that one of the most important ingredient in the 25% addition as per the Supreme Court decision is to provide for old age social security which has now assumed importance in the light  of the government's decision to make the pension scheme contributory for the employees who enters the Government service after 1.4.2004.  The Staff side also drew the attention of the Secretary Personnel to the provisions of  45A and 45C of the Fundamental Rules and Section 10(13) read with rule 2A of the IT Act to establish the necessity of addition of  1/9^th for the purpose of housing in  the computation of Minimum wage as per the 15^th ILC norms, which the Commission had excluded on the specious plea that the Central Govt. employees are granted HRA separately.  It was pointed out that the earlier Pay Commissions had computed the minimum wage as per the ILC norms and the Govt. would do well to look into it to understand the fallacy in the omission made by the 6^th CPC. The Staff side also pointed out that the minimum wage computed by the 6^th CPC is even less than the amount had the formula adopted by the 5^th CPC been followed.

There had been no cogent explanation from the official side except stating that it was a conscious decision taken by the 6^th CPC, to the query as to why the 12% additional DA granted on account  of DA merger has not been taken into account and as to how is  it justified to exclude certain emoluments already granted and paid be taken back by the Commission. 

 

2.      Fitment formula

The rationale behind the demand raised by the Staff Side was explained in detail.  It was pointed out that the multiplication factor both in respect of the PB 1 at the minimum and PB 3 at the minimum being at 2.6, there had been no rationale on the part of the Pay Commission to suppress the fitment formula.  The staff side also informed the official side that their suggestion would bring about a uniform benefit of 41% for all employees.  The fitment benefit granted by the Commission vary violently from Pay band 1 and 2 ie. Pertaining to the non gazetted employees vis a vis in the case of officers I;e. those in the pay bands of P 3 and P 4.

                                    3. Rate of increment.

      It was reiterated that the rate of increment suggested by Commission i.e 2.5% is lesser than the average  rate of increment available under the 5^th CPC dispensation.  The demand for affording the rate of increment at 5% is based upon the practice prevailing in the PSUs.  The Official side was also informed of the recent order of the Government by which it has permitted wage revision in the case of  PSUs  after a residency  period between 5 and10 years. In the absence of any recommendation by the 6^th Commission of the probable next wage revision, the Staff side stated that it is necessary to ensure that  the employees get a 5% rise in emoluments to ensure that at least the existing relativity in wages between the CGEs and the PSU workers are not further widened.

  4.   Transport allowance.

 The two points made out by the Staff Side was (i) to increase the allowance appropriately to take into account the errata issued by the Commission after the presentation of the report to the Government and the merger of CCA with the Transport allowance and (ii) the necessity of treating a portion of this allowance for the computation of overtime allowance as presently CCA is taken for that purpose

 

5. Fixation of pay on Promotion

The Staff side reiterated its submission that under the present dispensation the benefit on promotion would be very meager. Under the existing scheme not only more than one increment benefit had been derived by the employees but a minimum benefit of Rs. 100 had also been stipulated to ensure that the Group D employees whose rate of increments had been less than Rs. 100 do derive atleast Rs. 100 rise on promotion.  In that context the Staff Side said that the minimum benefit on promotion should be prescribed at 10% of the salary.

6.   On Bonus.

 

It was mentioned by the Staff Side that Bonus had been the product of a bilateral settlement and the Government had granted adhoc bonus after a prolonged struggle. The 5^th CPC had recommended to replace the adhoc bonus by PLB as such conversion was feasible in many organization, perhaps with the only exception of the Central Secretariat.  The Government should therefore discuss the issue with the concerned organisagtions in the respective departmental councils to bring about the productivity linked bonus scheme.  It was categorically informed to the official side that the Staf Side will not agree for replacing the existing bonus scheme with a performance related incentive,

 

7.   7. Special duty allowance of North Eastern Region.

 

      While welcoming the recommendations made in this regard by the Commission the staff side brought to the notice of the official side that the benefit of SDA should be available for those who are initially recruited also and not only for those who are posted on transfer to NE region.

 

8    Daily allowance on tour:

            The Staff side requested that the Government should issue instruction not to insist upon the production of bills for the expenditure incurred in connection with food and local transportation and increase its rates.

.

9.   Promotion. ACP Scheme.

The modification suggested by the Commission to do away with the hierarchical set up in the matter of ACP, the staff side pointed out would not be acceptable.  Instead of removing the horizontal anomalies, the extant suggestion would create anomalies within vertically.          Since normal promotion itself is not uniform in its horizontal application, to bring about uniformity in ACP would be difficult.  The Staff side was of the opinion that the delayering exercise undertaken by the Commission to a great extent was capable of removing the horizontal distinction in the ACP. They also pleaded for effecting improvement in the scheme by enlarging its scope from two financial up-gradation to three.

 

10.  Anomaly in grade pay and Pay bands.

 

The Staff side brought to the notice of the official side that the Commission had not even adhered to its own recommendation in the construction of pay bands.  As per its own recommendations, the pay bands ought to have been constructed by applying the multiplication factor of 1,74 of the minimum of the highest scale of pay in the bunch of scales of pay that had been merged.  This has not been done.  The Pay bands in PB 1 and 2 has been constructed by applying the multiplication factor of 1.74 to the minimum of the lowest scale of pay in the bunch Though the official side contested this contentions, ultimately they had to agree to the point raised by the staff side. The resentment of the Group B Officers, who were in the time scale of pay of RS. 6500-10,500 over the merger of that scale of pay along with 5000-8000 and 5500-9000 was also brought out.  When it comes to the construction of pay bands 3 and 4, the staff side pointed out that none of the principles had been applied and in some cases the multiplication factor has been more than even 2,74 in the place of general MF of 1.74

 

 

      11.  Pension

 

While appreciating that most of its suggestions made to the Commision had been accepted, the Staff side requested that its formulation made before the Secretary (Pension) might be considered.  Inter alia it asked for raising the minimum pension, pleaded for the rejection of the recommendation for  revising the commutation table and the restoration of the commuted amount after 12 years as the Govt. was getting back the entire amount of commuted value along with interest  within that period. The Staff side demanded that pension must be computed after fixing the notional pay of pensioners as on 1.1.1996.

 

12. Advances:

It was pleaded by the Staff Side that the Advances should not be outsourced to Banks unless a workable and problem free system acceptable to the employees are worked out.

 

13    CGHS

      The Staff side made it clear that the recommendation for making the medi insurance scheme mandatory for the future employees  and future pensions was not acceptable to them.  They said that any new scheme in replacement of the existing one should only be made optional.

 

14. Group D functions

      To a specific query raised by the Staff Side, It was made clear by the official side that in future too, to carry on the Group D functions in Governmental organizations recruitment would be resorted to.  However, the recruitment would hereafter be only in Group C cadre with the stipulation that those recruited will have to carry on with multi-skilled functions. In other words, Government service would not be available for non matriculates.

 

15. In conclusion of the discussion, the Secretary Personnel said that the views of the Staff Side would be presented to the Committee of Secretaries and if necessary, the Committee of Secretaries would also meet the staff side.  It was also told that as per the present plan, the Committee of Secretaries would like to submit its views and final proposal to the Government by 30^th June, 2008.

 

            With greetgings,

 

Yours fraternally,

 

 

K.K.N.Kutty

Secretary General

 

 

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

JCM STANDING COMMITTEE TODAY

PAY COMMISSION - DISCUSSION IN STANDING COMMITTEE

 

Dear Comrades! The Government has convened the Standing Committee meeting of the National Council JCM today to discuss the Note submitted by the Staff Side JCM seeking modifications in the Report of the 6th Pay Commission. The Staff Side will demand modification on issues like Minimum Wage, Fitment Formula, Transport Allowance, Rate of Increment etc. NFPE will place the trend of discussions in this website after the meeting is over.

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

ANDHRA AGITATION

Dear Comrades!

 

Andhra Postal Unions of NFPE and FNPO are going on an agitational path. They have served a Notice for an Indefinite Strike to commence from 21.05.2008. In addition they are holding a programme of action including work to rule from 7.5.2008. A 22 Point Charter of Demands was submitted to the Chief Postmaster General as strike demands. Faulty grant of Notional Promotion ignoring seniors; non-filling up residual vacancies; non-regularization of casual labourers against GDS vacancies as per CAT Judgment and non implementation of Directorate orders on grant of temporary status to them; problems faced in connection with remittance of cash for settlement of claims towards NREGS etc are some of the main demands.

 

The issues are not only the problems of employees of Andhra Circle. Similar situation exists in many circles. The problem is due to the fact that even after one year after April 2007 strike agreement, the Department could not ensure implementation of notional promotion and filling up of residual vacancies properly in many circles. NFPE has already written a letter on this matter to the Secretary [P] by name and sought for an interview to discuss in person. NFPE will press for a meaningful negotiation with the Staff Side of Andhra by the Chief Postmaster General Andhra Circle for settlement of the issues.

 

The letter written to Secretary [P] is reproduced below:

 

PF-13(a)/AP/2008             Dated 5.5.2008

 

 

To

 

Shri.I.M.G.Khan

Secretary

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan

New Delhi – 110001

 

 

Sub: Staff unrest leading to strike notice in Andhra Circle – Intervention sought – reg.

 

Sir,

 

This Federation hastens to bring to your kind notice that due to the non-settlement of some serious issues and non-adherence to Directorate's instructions and orders, the postal employees of Andhra Circle are deeply aggrieved and consequently the NFPE and FNPO unions and associations have been forced to serve a strike notice on the Chief Postmaster General to embark upon an Indefinite Strike from 21^st May 2008 demanding settlement of 22 point of charter of demands. They are also resorting to various agitational programmes like demonstrations, telegram campaign including work to rule from 7^th May 2008.

 

The problem is aggravated due to the faulty grant of notional promotion to LSG ignoring the instructions and guidelines of the Postal Directorate. The lack of transparency wherein the administration was not ready to even show the method applied in granting notional promotion initially caused avoidable provocation. Later when the same was made available, the Staff Side proved that there are irregularities in the promotion including excess grant of FTP promotion. The Administration is not ready to set right the problems.

 

The inordinate delay in filling up the residual vacancies and unnecessary delay in obtaining clarifications from the Directorate etc is another major issue causing lot of resentment.

 

The non-compliance of Directorate instructions and orders is resulting in the promotional avenues of seniors most adversely affected. The problem of workload and shortage of staff is another major issue crossed tolerable limits.

 

The Staff are facing public wrath because of lack of timely cash remittances to EDBOs to settle claims of NREGS but the Administration is unimaginative is dealing with this important issue. Either the administration should temporarily increase the line limit for remittance or provide for necessary arrangement for conveyance of cash to all such offices from the account offices without any hitch.

 

The casual labourers are denied absorption against vacant GDS posts despite the CAT Hyderabad. Judgment. They are not regularized as per Directorate norms also. This is most unjust.

 

This Federation notes with concern that the Circle Administration has only opted to ignore the peaceful agitations going on in the entire circle for the past one month and went about with the meeting of negotiations it held with the staff side with utter casualness and trying to throw the blame on the Postal Directorate.

 

This Federation would therefore seek your personal intervention to cause to direct the Circle Administration of Andhra to hold a meaningful talks with the circle unions on the Charter of Demands immediately with the intention of solving the serious problems and also cause to issue clear and unambiguous clarifications if any is sought by the Chief PMG's office from the Directorate immediately in order to diffuse the volatile situation developed in Andhra Circle and to bring back peace and tranquility there.

 

Thanking you,

 

 

Yours Faithfully,

 

Sd/-

[K.Ragavendran]

Secretary General

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

NFPE CIRCULAR

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES
1st Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi 110001


PF- 14 /2008 Dated 17th April 2008

To

The Secretary
Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan
New Delhi – 110001


Sub: Views of NFPE on certain recommendations of 6th CPC and request for modification / improvements sought thereon – reg.

Sir,

As a follow up to the informal discussions the Staff Side had with the DDG [Estt] on 4.4.2008, we place the following views of our Federation with a request for modification or improvement on certain recommendations of the Pay Commission with regard to Department of Posts.

Upgradation of Group ‘D’: All the non-matriculate Group ‘D’ officials including non-test category officials should be imparted with the proposed retraining and placed without any restriction in upgraded PB-1 w.e.f. 1.1.2006. We also request the department of posts to consider upgradation to the pre-revised 3050-4590 scale since 2750-4400 is not in existence in our department.

Ensuring promotional avenues of GDS and Casual labourers: We request that the present system of promotional avenues available to Gramin Dak Sevaks to Group D and C posts shall continue in the present format of seniority as well as examinations and all vacant posts of Group ‘D’ also to be upgraded and allotted for GDS on seniority basis, who should also be imparted with the same retraining like Group ‘D’ and placed in PB-1.

TBOP / LSG, BCR / HSG-II: The recommendation placing TBOP PAs/SAs as well as the LSG Supervisors in the same pay band of PB-1 along with the upgraded Group D has caused a lot of resentment. This will de-motivate the entire PA/SA and TBOP/LSG work force. The Department may consider the fact that the TBOP / BCR introduced for both Postal and Telecom under the same orders but subsequently after the recommendations of V CPC implemented, the Telecom Department [before conversion as BSNL itself] got these two scales upgraded into 5000-8000 for TBOP and 5500-9000 for BCR. Thus there exists discrimination between the two wings of the same Ministry of Communications. If the Department of Posts could consider this and TBOP and BCR are upgraded in the Department of Posts also to the same level, then by virtue of that the TBOP / LSG Supervisors also would be placed in the pay band of PB-2. This may be considered.

Supervisory Allowance: The stand of the Department is that LSG and HSG are norm based supervisor posts and TBOP / BCR are non-functional posts. The recommendations of the pay commission have not made any distinction between the supervisors and the supervised. It is a fact that supervisors are holding higher responsibilities and therefore it is suggested that element of supervisory allowance may be reintroduced. The matching savings element is now no more valid since the TBOP and BCR are no more considered as promotions but only financial upgradations. Re-introduction of graded supervisory allowance for LSG, HSG-II and HSG-I to match the supervisory responsibilities are therefore most justified to motivate the officials who shoulder extra responsibilities and needs to be considered by the Department afresh in the background of distinction now being made as supervisors and non-functional officials. The Pay Commission has failed to consider this aspect altogether. The same may be considered now and 10% Pay + Grade Pay may be fixed as Supervisory Allowance as in the case of the recommendation to the Caretakers vide Para 3.8.8 of 6th CPC Report.

Supervisory Allowance to Selection Grade Postmen: The Selection Grade Postmen like Sorting Postmen, Head Postmen, Mail Overseer, Cash Overseer and allied cadres like Head Mail Guard / Head Mail Peon etc are ignored by the Pay Commission. We request the Department to consider reintroduction of Supervisory Allowance at the rate of 10% of Pay + Grade Pay as recommended to the Caretakers by the Pay Commission.

System Administrators: The technical knowledge acquired by the System Administrators and the role being played by them in computerizing the offices all over the country as well as ensuring the smooth running of the net work is unfortunately overlooked by the Pay commission. In no other department such a massive computerization could have taken place without employing outside knowledge. It is known that these category of staff work beyond 8 Hours daily as well as called to assist by field offices at odd hours also. We request the department may consider grant of 10% of Pay + Grade Pay as recommended in the case of caretakers vide Para 3.8.8 of CPC Report to distinguish them from the other operative staff as an interim measure. We also request to consider the issue of formation of a separate technology wing like civil wing and make the System Administrators a separate establishment.

Marketing Executives: The Pay Commission has not considered the issue of marketing executive also. These are the staff that actually performs by procuring mails for the department with their higher skill and knowledge. In order to compete the couriers it is essential that such category of staff are properly recognised with financial package. The Department may consider grant of 10% of Pay + Grade Pay as recommended in the case of caretakers vide Para 3.8.8 of CPC Report to distinguish them from the other operative staff as an interim measure pending consideration for a separate establishment.


PO & RMS Accountants: Unfortunately the 6th CPC has not considered granting higher scale favourably. It has recommended only doubling of Special Allowance for this category. This will take away the charm in aspiring Accountants who had to undergo a tuff examination. This issue is pending from the time of V CPC itself. We request the Department to reconsider and grant higher scale to Accountants. We request the Department to consider that at least this Special Allowance may be taken for pay fixation benefit similar to that of the JAO qualified hands in Postal Accountants granted vide DG Posts Order No.8 (1) 2004/PA-Admn/501 dated 29.10.2006.

Cash Handling Allowance to PO Treasurers: The Pay Commission has unfortunately not considered the case of Treasurers properly. In most cases the PO Treasurers are handling more cash than the RMS Cashiers. The Department may consider the parity between the PO Treasurer and RMS Cashier in the matter of Allowance by changing the nomenclature of Treasurer into Cashier since the nature of job is identical. This will end the age-old disparity between the two.

Charge Hand in MMS: The bringing together of both Charge Hand and the Artisan Grade I in the same pay band PB-1 by the Pay Commission is causing much resentment. Earlier the Charge Hand was in higher scale than Artisan Grade I. The recommendation of the Commission has upset this relativity. We request that the Department may consider upgrading Charge Hand to PB-2 scale of pay.

Despatch Rider: The 6th CPC has unfortunately ignored this cadre altogether. Recruitment Rules and minimum qualification for Despatch Rider is the same like Drivers. We request the Department may consider merging this cadre with the Driver.

Sorters: Sorters who are an isolated cadre remained on par with Postmen by IV CPC recommendation. That parity got disturbed after V CPC and further disturbed now. We request at least the Sorter cadre be merged with the LDC and upgraded to pre-revised 3050-4590 scale.

Development Officers: The PLI Development Officers are to be considered by the Department for upgradation of scale.

The above suggestions are not exhaustive. We are holding our Federal Executive on 28th and 29th April 2008 and any further views will be submitted to your consideration in the first week of May 2008.

The Staff Side was assured that there would be more interactions with us and that before the Department sends its final report to the Ministry of Finance, the Staff Side would be fully consulted. We thank the Department for this stand and we look forward to sorting out the anomalies and other problems by the Department.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully,

Sd/[
[K.Ragavendran]
Secretary General

NFPE LATEST CIRCULAR

 

NFPE & ALL CHQs Joint Circular

 

Dear Comrades! The latest Circular issued by the NFPE and all its Affiliates dated 6.4.2008 [actually updated and despatched on 11.04.2008] is reproduced below.

 

PF-01(e)/3/2008  Dated 6.4.2008

 

 

TO

 

All General / Circle Secretaries

NFPE Unions.

 

Dear Comrades,

           

This is to keep all comrades updated with the latest developments taken place on the Pay Commission front and organisational matters. Our Circle Secretaries are once again requested to circulate the same to all divisional / branch secretaries of their respective circles.

Pay Commission related issues

 

1.   The Confederation leaders were in contact with the leaders of JCM National Council Organisations and discussions were being held to evolve a consensus on issues to be taken up with the Government for modification by the Staff Side as such. There were informal meetings of Confederation leaders to decide which are all the common issues to be taken up with the Government through Staff Side JCM, in which the Secretary General NFPE and General Secretaries P3, P4, R3, Admn and Postal Accounts also participated. It was decided to request the Staff Side leadership to take up with the Government for bilateral negotiations to modify many adverse recommendations. The final note submitted to the government by the Staff Side Secretary of JCM National Council is enclosed.

 

2.  The Government has constituted an Empowered Committee consisting of Secretaries of various departments to study the recommendations.       

 

3. The Secretary [P] has constituted a Committee for pay commission related issues of postal. On invitation from DDG [Estt], the Staff side attended an informal meeting on 4.4.2008. Various issues were discussed. The Federations have to submit a Note and there will be more interactions. A final Report would be sent to the Finance Ministry after consultations with the staff side. Further on the suggestion of Member [P], the Secretary General and the General Secretaries of P3 and GDS met Shri. Balasubramanian the Director of Postal Services and Special Officer on deputation to study the recommendations of Pay Commission and discussed the issues of TBOP/LSG; System Administrators/Marketing Executives; PO & RMS Accountants; Charge Hand in MMS; Supervisory Allowance; and Promotional avenues of GDS for effecting appropriate modifications in the recommendations of pay commission.

 

Comrades are requested to analyse the following suggestions and give their feed back to the NFPE and their respective CHQs:

 

1.   NFPE submitted memorandum to Pay Commission demanding upgradation of pay scale of Group 'D' along with enhancing qualification to Matric. This has been accepted and entire Group 'D' is upgraded to Group 'C'.  Now the Pay Commission has clarified that the upgraded pay will be given to all non-matriculate Group D also with effect from 1.1.2006 including arrears on completion of training within 6 months.  The minimum wages suggested by the pay commission is being however disputed by the Staff Side JCM National Council and that therefore the minimum wages may become a matter for bilateral negotiations with the Government. However abolition of Group D posts would cause serious repercussions in the Department of Posts as the work would be outsourced and no recruitment would take place that would adversely affect the GDS.

 

2. There is the question of promotional avenue to GDS against these upgraded posts.  The Department has to continue the present promotional avenue of GDS on seniority basis to become the Group C in the upgraded Scale of PB-1 in addition to their promotion as Postman / Mailguard as at present.

 

3. The Pay Commission has not conceded the upgradation of pay scale of TBOP / LSG. This is unjustified. In Telecom the TBOP pay scale was upgraded to 5000-8000 w.e.f. 1.1.1996. Therefore the parity that had existed long ago had been disturbed very badly. We should therefore to demand the upgradation of pay scale of TBOP /LSG and BCR / HSG-II to pre-revised 5000-8000 and 5500-9000 so that the TBOP / LSG also goes to PB-2. More over we can site the difference with ACP under which the option to avail next upgradation with FR 22(c) benefits or FR 23 is available and in case of their due promotions they are granted the pay scale next above the ACP. This is not available to us under TBOP / BCR Scheme and therefore the scales should be at least in the pre-revised 5000-8000 and 5500-9000.

 

4.   The Pay commission has not given any recognition to the supervisory staff. We have to demand supervisory allowance for norm-based supervisors to distinguish them from non-functional staff?

 

      5.   In the absence of any recommendation for System Administrators / Marketing Executives, we suggest for three advance increments or 10% of Pay as an interim measure and formation of a separate establishment for these categories. We also want to demand formation of a separate technology wing as like civil wing. Please suggest.

 

      6.   The higher pay to PO & RMS Accountants has been denied. What can be our demand at present?

 

7.  The Charge hand is placed in the same scale along with Artisan Grade I. We may demand elevation to PB-2 for Charge hand at the level of 5000-8000 or 5500-9000.

 

      8.    Any other suggestions on any other issue - please communicate.

 

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE

 

The NFPE Federal Executive will be held in New Delhi on 28th and 29th April 2008. There shall be a joint session of national executives of all affiliates of Confederation on 28th April 2008. These meetings are very important, as by that time the efforts to unify the entirety of CG Employees on the issues to be taken up for negotiation and future course of action would have reached more clarity. As far as the postal issues related to pay commission are concerned, we will discuss in our Federal Executive and the CWC meetings of some NFPE affiliates.

 

ORAL EVIDENCE FOR GDS

 

NFPE Secretary General and all General Secretaries of affiliated unions including the General Secretary, CHQ President and Office Bearers of GDS CHQ tendered oral evidence before the GDS Committee headed by Shri. Nataraja Murti. All issues contained in our memorandum were placed before the Committee for its consideration. The following issues were prominently placed for the consideration of the GDS Committee:

 

a.      The Departmentalisation of GDS and the method for Departmentalisation;

b.      Nomenclature as Gramin Dak Karmachari or Rural Postal Employees;

c.      Replacement of TRCA by elongated running scale with protection of seniority;

d.      Ensuring two career progression in GDS Service;

e.      Counting of 50% GDS service as qualifying service on regularization;

f.        Protection of promotion to Group D on seniority basis even if the Group D posts are upgraded to Group C as per VI CPC recommendations;

g.      Grant of Social Security including Pension,

h.      Gratuity as per Gratuity Act 1972;

i.         Enhancement of Group Insurance quantum to 1,50,000/-;

j.         Introduction of a system for Medical treatment;

k.       Changing the entire GDS Conduct and Recruitment Rules to end the discrimination in conduct and disciplinary matters between the GDS and the regular employees in line with the Supreme Court Judgment as well as making these rules statutory one;

l.         Facility for transfer to a vacant post;

m.    Free Insurance covering accident, natural calamity etc;

n.      Rationalization of leave with the facility to carry forward unutilized leave; Grant of 180 Days of Maternity leave for women GDS and special disability leave;

o.      Protection of wages by application of foot beat formula;

p.      Grant of Advances like Fan, Festival, Moped, HBA etc; Facilitating formation of cooperative societies for GDS;

q.      GDS Mailmen in RMS larger platformed railway stations to be regularised as Group D;

r.        Supply of uniforms to RMS GDS and outdoor GDS;

s.      Work standards for GDS in RMS or straightaway departmentalizing RMS GDS as Group D since they work for 5 hours and more;

t.        Ending the discrimination between the RMS and Postal GDS to ensure RMS GDS also can become Mailguard through seniority basis in ½ vacancies like Postal GDS becoming Postman – etc.

 

VERIFICATION OF MEMBERSHIP

 

There shall be an all out effort to increase our membership in all unions / associations. We are confident that Circle Unions leaders would be taking all necessary steps in this matter. NFPE requests our entire Circle / Divisional / Branch Secretaries to take special efforts to enroll membership of SBCO and Civil Wing as these are the two newly formed associations that require our help and assistance.  All regular employees unions should render full help for GDS union also. Do not forget that the letter of authorization form is different for GDS.  It is time to forget internal differences if any and work shoulder to shoulder with all NFPE unions and associations.

 

Postal Crusader Special Issue

 

As already focused in the NFPE Circular dated 29.03.2008 a special issue of Postal Crusader will be released. However due to less time at our disposal instead of May the special issue will be brought out for the month of June 2008 in memory of 5th Anniversary of the demise of our great leader and former Secretary General Comrade Adinarayana. Tariff for securing advertisement would be dispatched to all Circle / Divisional / Branch Secretaries shortly. 'One Branch One Advertisement' at least will make the Federation very strong financially. Circle Secretaries and our leaders running the societies can play a major role to ensure advertisements from all our cooperative societies and banks.

 

OPENING OF NEGOTIATING FORUMS

 

NFPE delegation met the Secretary [P] on 1st April and thanked him for recognizing the Federation and requested him for early opening of all negotiating forums of JCM as well as the Periodical Meetings. He assured early action. As soon as the JCM Departmental Council is reconstituted, the Federation will nominate new members to R-JCM in all Circles with the incumbent Circle Secretaries.

 

Comradely yours

 

[K.Ragavendran]

Secretary General

 

K.V.Sridharan

General Secretary – P III

 

Ishwar Singh Dabas

General Secretary – P IV

 

Giriraj  Singh                                                            

General Secretary – R III

 

 P.Suresh

 General Secretary – R IV

 

S.P.Mukherjee                                                               

General Secretary –Admn

 

P.Rajanayagam

General Secretary Postal A/Cs

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE