AIPEU, GROUP-C, KEONJHAR, ODISHA: May 2018

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

PJCA

Postal Joint Council of Action(PJCA) comprising NFPE & FNPO, appeals to the entire rank and file of NFPE & FNPO to extend all solidarity, help and Cooperation for success of GDS Strike.

Make the following Programmes a grand success.

1. On dated 31-05-2018

Hunger Fast on 31-05-2018 (from 10 Am to 5 Pm) at all work places.

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2. On dated 01-06-2018

March to Sanchar Bhavan, Office of Communication Minister

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R.N Parashar D.K Kishan Rao

Secretary General Secretary General

NFPE FNPO

Rural post offices across the country shut, Modi govt turns a blind eye

NATIONAL HERALD

VIKRANT JHAPublished: May 29th 2018, 07.11 PM

Rural post offices across the country shut, Modi govt turns a blind eye

Postal employees in Mananthavady in Wayanad in Kerala sit on an indefinite strike demanding regularisation as government employees. Rural postal employees across the country have been protesting for eight days

Rural postal employees across the country have been protesting for eight days, but the Narendra Modi-led central government seems to have turned a blind eye to their concerns

In a show of unity across the country, more than 2,70,000 postal employees in rural areas have been protesting across the country since May 22, demanding regularisation as government employees and implementation of the Kamlesh Chandra Committee reforms submitted in November 2016, but the government seems unperturbed by the indefinite strike or their demands.

The protest by Gramin Dak Sevaks’ (GDS) on Tuesday reached its eighth day, but “nothing concrete” has been done by the Narendra Modi-government, alleged All India Postal Employees Union—Gramin Dak Sevak (AIPEU-GDS). The strike has led to the shut down of more than 1,29,000 post offices across the country and the postal employees have declared an indefinite strike until their demands are met.

Gramin Dak Sevaks are extra-departmental agents recruited by the postal department to serve in rural areas. They have been demanding pay and facilities at par with regular postal department employees for years.

The Union Government had constituted a one-man Kamlesh Chandra Committee in the Seventh Pay Commission to study the wage structure of the rural postal employees and review and suggest changes in existing wage structures, facilities and other social security benefits provided to them.

The committee, had in its report, recommended the minimum wage of the rural postal officers be made ₹10,000 and a maximum of ₹35,480, the abolition of the 50 years age limit, an annual hike of 3% and a children’s education allowance of Rs 6,000 per annum. They had introduced a risk and hardship allowance of ₹500 per month for those working in the special areas. The Committee had increased the ex-gratia gratuity to ₹5,00,000 from ₹60,000, while also suggesting that the scope of the Circle Welfare Fund (CWF) scheme should include immediate family members.

“The government has been offering nothing to us. So, we are going to continue with the indefinite protest,” says P Pandurangarao, the General Secretary of AIPEU-GDS.

The government has been stating that they require at least three months to implement the suggested reforms. “But when they have done nothing in the past 18 months, we have no confidence in them anymore and that’s why we have demanded it in writing,” says Pandurangarao. “But they have refused,” added Pandurangarao.

“Even though we are government employees, our life is worse than daily-wage labourers,” says Pandurangarao, adding “we get no subsidies, no benefits and have no choice but to survive with a meagre salary. The government does not even provide us with basic facilities such as a house for an office or the electricity bill. It’s the head Post Master’s responsibility to arrange for a place for the ‘Dak Ghar’ (Post Office)”

Although GDS’ are central government employees, they are considered temporary employees which deprives them of various benefits such as the retirement benefit, pensions, etc. “After working for 35 to 40 years, we are given a meager retirement benefit of Rs.1,00,000. Our per day salary is not more than Rs.300 and every year we get an increment of Rs.50 to Rs.60. We get no other benefits,” Pandurangarao says. “How is it possible for us to survive like this,” he asks.

All India working president of AIPEU-GDS, Virendra Sharma says, “There have been at least five rounds of talks, but nothing conclusive has come out of it. Our demand is simple; implement the reforms suggested by the Committee constituted by you (the government). The protests have affected lives in rural India and we don’t wish to continue, but the government is simply not ready to listen.”

“On June 1, we will protest outside the Ministry of Communications’ office in New Delhi. We will not give in even if they turn a blind eye to us, they (the government) will have to listen to us,” says Sharma.
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All General Secretaries, Circle Secretaries and Divisional/Branch Secretaries of NFPE Unions are requested to make all solidarity programmes in support of GDS Strike including one day Hunger Fast at all work places on 31st May 2018 and March to Sanchar Bhawan, Communication Minister' office on 1st June 2018 a grand success.

All nearby circles and Divisions are requested to participate in large number.

R. N. Parashar

Secretary General

NFPE

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

CENTRAL HEAD QUARTERS

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

CENTRAL HEAD QUARTERS

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

HISTORIC GDS ALL INDIA STRIKE

ORGANIZE ONE DAY HUNGER FAST IN FRONT OF MAJOR POST OFFICES ON 31^st MAY 2018, THURSDAY, 10 AM TO 5 PM

JOIN THE SANCHAR BHAWAN MARCH (MARCH TO COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER’S OFFICE NEW DELHI) IN LARGE NUMBERS ON 1^st JUNE 2018 AND MAKE IT A GRAND SUCCESS

Dear Comrades,

As you are aware the indefinite strike of GDS Unions (AIPEU-GDS, AIGDSU, NUGDS & BEDEU) entered the 8^th day today. All India strike percentage is 96%. Five rounds of discussions held with Secretary, Department of Posts, Additional Director General, Posts and conciliation meetings of Regional Labour Commissioner failed due to the adamant and negative attitude of the Government and Department. As per the call of NFPE and all affiliates of NFPE, departmental employees in Postal department organised black badge campaign and protest demonstration as solidarity support to the GDS strike. In five states (Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and West Bengal) departmental employees also organised solidarity strike eventhough in four states (Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and West Bengal) they have withdrawn the solidarity strike on the fourth day due to compelling reason. In Kerala departmental employees of NFPE and FNPO are continuing their strike. In all states including those states where the departmental employees have withdrawn the solidarity strike, 100% GDS employees are continuing their strike.

Confederation of Central Government employees & Workers has already given call for daily demonstration in front of Postal and RMS offices and also extend full support and solidarity to the strike.

As the strike is continuing Confederation National Secretariat and NFPE Federal Secretariat has decided to organize mass hunger fast in front of major Post office/RMS offices on 31^st May 2018 Thursday from 10 AM to 5 PM. It is also decided to mobilise maximum number of employees from Delhi and nearby states in the Sanchar Bhawan March already announced by the striking GDS Unions on 1^st June 2018 Friday at 10:30 AM.

All affiliates and State/District Level Coordinating Committees of Confederation and NFPE are requested to organize the above mentioned programmes in an effective manner with biggest participation of employees.

Yours fraternally,

(M. Krishnan) (R. N. Parashar)

Secretary General Secretary General

Confederation NFPE

Mob: & WhastApp – 094470688125 Mob: & WhatsApp - 09868819295

GDS INDEFINITE ALL INDIA STRIKE

Govt. of India has not included 2.76 lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Postal department under the purview of 7^th Central Pay Commission. Govt’s stand is that GDS are not Civil Servants but are Extra Departmental Employees. After much pressure and agitations by Postal Federations finally Government appointed a separate Committee for revision of wages and service conditions of GDS, headed by a retired Postal Board Member Shri Kamalesh Chandra.

2. Service conditions of GDS are pathetic. No pay scale is granted instead Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) is granted. Minimum monthly allowance for 3 hours is Rs.2295- plus DA and maximum monthly allowance for hours is Rs.3635 plus DA. No other allowances such as HRA, Children Education Allowance etc., are granted. Rent of the building in which Branch Post Office is housed is to be paid by the Branch Post Master (BPM) from his pocket. No maternity leave is granted instead 90 days leave salary is granted from Welfare Fund. No medical reimbursement or Medical Insurance Scheme. Only 20days paid leave is granted in a year. No time bound promotion except examination based promotion to limited number of Postmen & Group-D vacancies. No pension is granted and GDS service is not counted towards pension.

In 2011 a Contributory Pension Scheme is introduced with contribution of Rs.200/- each by the employee and the department. But the pension from this insurance annuity based scheme is meager, less than Rs.1000/- per month. In short the wages and service conditions are deplorable.

3. It is this background; the Kamalesh Chandra Committee submitted its report on 24-11-2016. Most of the recommendations of the Committee are positive. Minimum pay recommended was Rs.10,000/- and maximum Rs.14,500/- plus DA. Composite Allowance in lieu of building rent & Children education Allowance were recommended. Maternity leave for 26 weeks and one week paternity leave, Time bound three promotions on completion of 12,24 & 36 years of service, 30 days ordinary leave, five days emergency leave etc., are also recommended.

4. Eventhough the Committee Report is submitted to Govt. on 24-11-2016, even after a lapse of 18 months, the report is not yet implemented. In the case of departmental employees, wage revision as per 7^th CPC Report was already implemented from 01-01-2016. Unjustified discrimination is shown towards GDS. As a result, the discontentment and protest among the GDS is growing day by day. NFPE & AIPEU-GDS has conducted various agitational programmes including one day strike on 23-08-2017 and five days continuous dharna at Delhi demanding immediate implementation of positive recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee Report. Other Federations and GDS Unions too conducted their own agitational programmes. Inspite of all these, implementation of the Committee Report is delayed inordinately. The All India Conference of AIPEU-GDS held at Allahabad in March 2018, reviewed whole situation and decided to organize indefinite strike in the month of May 2018.

5. It is in this back ground, the indefinite strike notice was served by four GDS unions. First BEDEU (BMS) served notice for indefinite strike. Then AIGDSU and NUGDS (INTUC) gave notice for indefinite strike from 22-05-2018. As other GDS Unions had given indefinite strike notice, AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) also decided to service indefinite strike notice from the same date i.e., 22-05-2018 in consultation with NFPE.

Simultaneously, NFPE issued instructions to all Branch / Division / Circle Unions to extend full support and solidarity to the GDS strike by organizing daily protest demonstrations and attending duty by wearing black-badges. In five States viz., Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana & West Bengal departmental employees’ Unions also joined the strike from 22-05-2018.

6. Indefinite strike commenced on 22-05-2018. 100% GDS in all States went on strike. Out of 1,55,000 post offices, 1,29,500 post offices are Branch Post Offices manned by GDS. All the 1,29,500 Post offices remained closed. Out of five lakhs postal employees 2.76 lakhs are Gramin Dak Sevaks 90 – 95% of GDS went on strike from 22-05-2018 and their percentage increased day by day and came to near total. Regarding Departmental employees, the solidarity strike from 22-05-2018 conducted in Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Telangana and West Bengal withdrawn on the fourth day due to compelling reasons, but the entire GDS in these States are continuing their Strike. In Kerala, departmental employees are continuing their solidarity strike even today.

7 .After giving the strike notice, till, date four round of negotiations took place. First round discussions held with Additional Director General, Department of Posts. Second round of talks held with Secretary, Department of Posts. Third and fourth round of conciliation proceedings was held by Regional Labour Commissioner (Central), New Delhi. All these discussions failed due to the totally negative and adamant attitude of the Govt. and Postal Authorities and hence the strike is continuing. All the four GDS Unions are on strike and it is near total in almost all States. The functioning of the rural postal services is paralyzed as 80% of the post offices are closed and 100% GDS are on strike.

State capital Bhubaneswar flooded with thousands of Garmin Dak Sewaks from all corners of Odisha

7th Day of GDS Indefinite Strike

Gandhi Marg and Chief PMG campus flooded with thousands of Garmin Dak Sewaks

Huge rally and massive demonstrations

Memorandum submitted to Hon'ble Governer of Odisha

Friday, May 25, 2018

Somebody has spreaded rumours that GDS Committee has been implemented. It’s not true. Don’t belive any rumours. Strike will continue till committee is implemented. Make success GDS JCA programme of action to put pressure on the Department of posts and Government of India.

1) 28.05.2018 Monday

Conduct Mass rally in Circle Head Quarters and submit memorandum to Hon’ble Governor of the state.

2) 01-06-2018 Friday.

Conduct Mass Dharna in front of Sanchar Bhavan (Communication Minister office) in New Delhi.

GDS STRIKE ENTERED 4^th DAY

REVOLUTIONARY GREETING TO ALL G.D.S COMRADES PARTICIPATING IN INDEFINITE STRIKE SINCE - 22-05-2018, AND REGULAR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ALSO ON STRIKE IN SUPPORT OF GDS

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4th ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN POSTAL ADMINISTRATION AND GDS UNIONS FAILED ON 24-05-2018

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ALL GDS UNIONS DECIDED TO CONTINUE STRIKE TILL ACHIEVEMENT OF DEMANDS

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(i) Decided to conduct Massive Rally in Circle Head Quarters and submission of Memorandum to the Governors of States on 28-5-2018

(ii) Mass Dharna in front of Sanchar Bhawan (O/o Minister of Communication) on 01-06-2018

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· We on behalf of NFPE appeal to entire rank and file to extend full solidarity support and help for success of GDS Strike and observe Lunch hour demonstration every day and wear black badge in protest of inordinate delay in implementation of GDS Committee Report.

· Extend all help and participate in the programmes declared by GDS unions on 28-05-2018 & 01-06-2018.

· We appeal to the all members of NFPE Unions of nearby Circles and Divisions of Delhi to participate in large number in Mass Dharna in front of Sanchar Bhawan on 01.06.2018.

R.N PARASHAR

SECRETARY GENERAL

(NFPE)