WE ARE NOT GOING TO SURRENDER.

JOIN THE TWO DAYS STRIKE ON FEBRUARY 20 & 21

               We, the Postal employees, have a proud and inspiring history of participating in the freedom struggle of our country against the British imperialism and in the post-independent India against the onslaughts of the retrograde policies of the Government of India.  Many of our leaders and comrades have sacrificed their life for the cause of the coming generation.  Job security, wages, pension and other service benefits are all the outcome of the struggle and sacrifice of hundreds and thousands of such comrades.  They faced dismissal, removal, suspension, increment cut, transfer to remote places, break-in-service and other severe victimisations.  Dies-non was not at all a punishment for them.  They never complained about wage-cut due to dies-non.  Not even  a single benefit was given by the Government without struggle and consequent heavy victimisations.  1st to 6th Pay Commissions were appointed by the Government only after the united struggle of the employees, each time.

               Now we are facing a very crucial and critical situation.  The ill-effects of the neo-liberal economic policies of the Central Government has become the greatest threat to the survival of the entire working class, especially Central Government employees including five and a half lakhs Postal, R M S and Gramin Dak Sevaks.  The question before us is -Are we able to protect our job security and hard-earned benefits?  Are we ready to fight or are we going to surrender before this attack?  The answer is - No. We are not going to surrender.  We will continue our fight till the imperialist globalisation policies are thrown to winds, just as we have thrown the British imperialism out of our country.   We are not alone, crores and crores of workers and employees are with us in this fight.  We are ready for sacrifice.   We are not going to run away from  our responsibilities.  We shall face the challenge and continue our fight to change the system in our favour.  Ultimate victory will be ours.

               It is this uncompromising spirit and the readiness for sacrifice, that made National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE) to join the two-days historic strike of the working class on 2013 February 20, 21.  The strike is being organised by the entire trade unions including INTUC, BMS and the left trade unions.  In the Postal, the strike is organised by Central JCA, including NFPE and the INTUC affiliated FNPO.  This is the first time in the history of India a cent per cent united strike of 48 hours by all the Unions and Federtions is taking place.  More than ten crores workers will participate in the strike.  The working class of India, in one voice, demand the UPA Government to change the imperialist globalisation policies.

               Central Government employees are the first victims of the neo-liberal economic policies pursued by the Central Government from 1991 onwards.  During the last twenty years about eight lakhs posts are abolished.  Still five lakhs posts are lying vacant in various departments.  Many departments are closed or privatised.  More and more casual and contract workers are engaged.  Social security schemes, including statutory Pension scheme are given a go-bye.  Instead, share market oriented contributory Pension scheme is introduced.  Three lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Postal department are denied of their legitimate rights.  Casual, Part-time, contingent employees are not given their due wage revision.  Even compassionate appointments are denied imposing arbitrary restrictions.  Bonus ceiling not raised.  Further the Government has declared the National Postal Policy 2012 which is nothing but a road-map to privatisation of Postal Services by granting licences to the multi-national courier services. 

               The demand for appointment of 7th Pay Commission is not yet accepted, inspite of the thundering success of the 12th December 2012 strike organised by Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers.  As an impact of the strike, all the Central Trade Unions have submitted a memorandum to the Finance Minister to announce constitution of 7th CPC in the February 2013 budget itself.  Still the Government is silent on Pay Commission and merger of 50% DA.  February 20, 21 strike is a continuation of 12th December strike.

               The steep rise in prices of essential commodities, disbanding of the public distribution system, deregulation of petrol and diesel prices , disinvestment of public sector, rise in unemployment, shrinking of employment opportunities, proposed move to amend the labour laws in favour of the employers, attack on social security, denial of assured pension for all, introduction of contract and casual labour system in all sectors, denial of minimum wage of Rs.10,000/- to industrial workers, refusal to remove bonus and PF ceilings etc. are all due to this neo-liberal economic policies.

               The attack is all round.  To save the Postal, to save the Central Govt. departments, to save the public sector, to save the common people and workers of our country including Postal employees the only way out is to fight back these policies.  Let us wholeheartedly join this struggle and make it a historic success.

A Thought of the Day

 February 20,21,2013 General Strike - Let us write its historic success

In the National Convention of Workers called by the 11 Central Trade Unions including INTUC, CITU, AITUC, BMS etc., a clarion call was made to organise Two Days Strike on 20-21 February 2013 against the anti-worker policies of the Government and demanding settlement of the issues of the workers, especially in the unorganised sector.

The National Convention of Workers held on 4th September, 2012 in the capital expressed its deep concern and anguish at the total non-response of the Govt. to address the burning Issues of the working people viz containing price-rise, universalisation of social security rights for unorganized sector workers, ensuring proper minimum wages, mass scale contractorisation, rampant violation of labour laws and onslaught on trade union rights etc., despite consistent persuasion by all in united platform of the entire trade union movement in the country through various forms of countrywide programmes and agitations in a democratic manner since last three years. The workers continuous agitations over the years have been simply ignored and side lined and there is no sign of turn the tables on its own by the present Government. 

The Govt. is continuing the same anti people economic policy even seeking to enact legislations in all sectors like FDI in retail and pension that run contrary to the interest of working people and their social security rights besides generating a severe recessionary impact on the national economy.

When all the central trade unions irrespective of their political affiliation are united and issued a strike call to save the nation and its working class in particular, all the other trade unions and organisations have no the only option to fall line with the main stream of the working class and accordingly all the National Federations, All India Unions etc. have already endorsed the strike call of all the central trade unions and preparing for an effective strike. As usual, in its own traditions and the policy decision, the NFPE has already decided and declared to go on strike as per the decisions of the Confederation and started preparations. FNPO has also decided to join the strike and accordingly in the postal sector, the call was given on behalf of the Postal JCA by incorporating the sectional demands of the postal and CG employees’ demands.

The Confederation and the Postal JCA have already released its tour programm to organise the workers for the effective participation in the strike. We cannot be in isolation when the entire working class agitate to save the workers and the common people from the retrograde policies of the present Government. Even though we may have some local problems to organise another strike within two months, we must take it as a challenge and see the cent per cent participation of our membership. It is possible and we are capable of it. We are not going to lose big things except the wages. But it will certainly realise the Govt that the workers are having the right to strike and will not tolerate any decisions affecting the working class and the common people at large.

Never before in the history of the country there has been a nation-wide general strike for two days. There are no such instances in the past where trade unions irrespective of their political affiliations have come together in this manner.

It is our bounden duty to make the strike an historic success in the postal sector. Please organise Gate Meetings and organise comrades for the massive participation in the ensuing strike. Please visit all offices and garner support from all corners duly explaining the justification of demands and our role and responsibilities. Let us take pledge and organise for the ensuing strike.

We Welcome New Chief P.M.G.

Brig. Sanjeev Thapar has resumed as our Chief Postmaster General.

We Welcome him and convey our best wishes for his success in uplifting Gujarat Circle from various perspectives.

As a major union, we assure co operation and constructive approach on various concerns from the staff side.

A thought of the Day

AGENDA FOR NEXT FOUR MONTHLY MEETING AT CIRCLE OFFICE AHMEDABAD

ALL INDIA P0STAL EMPLOYEES UNION GROUP 'C'

GUJARAT CIRCLE

No.CO/FourMonthly/Agenda/2012.13                                                                   Dated January 23, 2013

To,

The Chief Postmaster General

Gujarat Circle Ahmedabad 380 001

Subject:               Agenda for the next four monthly meeting.

Respected sir,

After a long break, now there is a hope for a due four monthly meeting at an early date. We would informally discuss on most important concerns as and when opportunity occurs. However few items, to be taken on agenda, are furnished below:

Item No.1

Non supply of Computer Stationary to divisions.

There is a hue and cry about non availability of computer stationary from all corners of the Gujarat Circle. PSDs are issuing non availability certificates to divisions but local purchase cannot be made due to non availability of funds! When the department moves ahead with 100% computerization with the allotment of Rs.4909 Crores, the uproar for non availability of stationary appears farce. It is requested to take suitable action to ensure supply of sufficient stationary.

Item No.2

Appeal for prompt and concrete action into cases of complaint against corruption and misuse of administrative powers.-case of Kachchh division.

Since a long period passed, no visible action has been taken into case of complaint against corruption and misuse of administrative powers by SPO Kachchh division. So many letters written by staff side has not been acknowledged even. There are video/audio/written evidences, but no one records statement of the officer! And the CDs are referred to FSL. The case file will speak about real scenario. Our demand is for prompt and visible action in the matter.

Item No.3

Request for issuing instructions to Regions/Divisions, for adhering to directions of the Directorate, for not calling staff on duty on Sunday and Holidays as a routine.

Particularly in Vadodara region, staff is forced to attend on each and every Sunday/Holiday for one or other work. Staff side is quite positive and sincere about need of the day for doing various work within time schedule and we have also advised staff for voluntarily contribute additional work for one or two hours where pendency of discrepant accounts is more but the administration side in the region forces the staff each and every Sunday/Holiday with threatening language. Therefore, it is requested to instruct all divisions to adhere to the direction of the Directorate in Letter No.16/56/2011-SR dtd 08.07.11 and two instructions issued by the directorate on this issue after the settlement on strike charter. It is also suggested to avoid sending staff in various trainings from divisions where arrears of work is very heavy and require early wiping out.

        

              Cont. to Page:2

Item No.4

Review of quality of food provided at PTC Vadodara.

Recently there was food poisoning to so many trainees after consuming breakfast. There has been always complaint about poor quality of food. It is the time for review of the situation. My earlier letter in the matter is exhaustive in the matter.

Item No.5

Allotment of office premise for office of Circle Union of AIPE Union Group ‘C’.

Circle union needs an office. Space is available at Paldi PO, Allis bridge PO and may be somewhere else. Allotment of any Quarter in the Colony would be more suitable to us. It is requested to consider.

Item No.6

Review of staff position of Bardoli division.

There is very heavy shortage of staff at Bardoli division. It may be because of false calculation of vacancies in the previous year. It is requested to review, determine actual vacancies of the division and take suitable action in the matter.

Considering long gap in the meeting, number of items may not be restricted to three only.

Following office bearers will attend the meeting.

1.       Rashmin Purohit               Circle Secretary                 OA PSD Ahmedabad

2.       S.K.Vaishnav                   Circle President                 PA Gondal HO

With regards,

Yours Sincerely

RASHMIN PUROHIT

Circle Secretary

HAND BOOK - 2013

"An Updated & Latest Hand Book - 2013 is now available"

Pages: 300/-

Price: - Rs.75/- (Subsidiary Price)+ Postage Extra

DIVISIONS ARE NOT SENDING THEIR INDENT WELL IN TIME. THE HAND BOOK 2013 MUST BE IN HANDS OF ALL OFFICE BEARERS OF EACH DIVISION.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE IT WITH YOUNG ENTRANTS TO SHOW THEM REAL FACE OF OUR UNION.

IT WILL BE VERY USEFUL FOR ALL MEMBERS. I REQUEST TO PLACE INDENT ATLEAST FOR 50 HAND BOOKS BY EACH DIVISION. MEMBERS CAN BEAR EXPENDITURE OF THIS SMALL AMOUNT FOR USEFUL INFORMATION.

IN THE MEAN TIME, WE HAVE REQUESTED CHQ TO SEND 15 HAND BOOKS TO EACH DIVISION WITHOUT ANY INDENT, BY VP.

PLEASE ACCEPT THE VP AND PLACE YOUR FURTHER ORDER.

DIVISIONAL CONFERENCE OF VALSAD DIVISION ON 6TH JANUARY 2013

Divisional Conference of Valsad division will be held at Valsad on 6th January, 2013, Sunday.

Circle Secretary and Com.S.K.Vaishnav Circle President, Com.M.G.Dulera Circle Finance Secretary and Com.N.D.Patel Asst. Circle Secretary will attend the conference. It is expected that most of the Divisional Secretaries and Circle Office bearers of Vadodarea region will attend the conference.

There are so many issues concerning to employees of Vadodara region, particularly pertaining to suppression and compulsion for attending on Sundays/Holidays constantly on each off days, without any remuneration or off. There are also cases of extra ordinary pressure for imposing recoveries in case of minus balance. There are also cases of Charge sheets in the region intended to enforce recoveries from innocent employees. Few  cases for promotion under MACP are also pending in Valsad division. There are so many cases for dequarterisation of SPM's quarters pending in respect of Valsad, Navsari and Bardoli division.

I request all Divisional Secretaries and Circle office bearers of Vadodara region to remain present at Valsad from morning time on 6th Jan. Sunday. We will seat together, discuss problems of each division and take some important decision including agitation program.

CHQ TAKES UP ISSUE OF NON SUPPLY OF COMPUTER STATIONARY IN RAJKOT REGION

ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION GROUP ‘C’
   CHQ: Dada Ghosh Bhawan, 2151/1, New Patel Road, New Delhi 

President:  M. Krishnan                                                          General Secretary: R. Sivannarayana

Ref: P/2-6/Bhavnagar 

To 

The Secretary 

Department of Posts 

Dak Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001

Sub: -  Non Supply of Computer Stationary

Dear Sir,

It is brought to our notice that due to non supply of Computer stationary by the PSD Rajkot, the 

staff working in all the divisions under its Jurisdiction and in particularly in Bhavnagar Division are suffering allot and even purchasing on their own to complete the office work.

The PSD Rajkot has issued non availability certificate to all divisions to local purchase and 

heads are not evencing  any interest to purchase and supply to all offices but instructed SPMs to purchase stationary locally and submit the bill for sanction as per approved note by the

Regional office. It is further dismay to note that bill submitted by the staff for the local purchase 

have not been released due to non availability of funds as stated in Bhavnagar division. The 

Divisional head replied that the financial power vested with him to  extent of Rs. 50000/

exhausted already and he could not sanction any bills till the Regional office cleared the proposal. 

This is highly deplorable. 

When the Department is moving ahead with hundred percentage computerization with allotment 

of Rs. 4909 Crores, the existence of non supply is nothing but farce and ridiculous. 

It is therefore requested to intervene effectively  and ensure immediate supply of stationary and 

ensure no such instance shall takes place

May I request your response, 

With regards, 

Yours faithfully 

(R. Sivannarayana) 

General Secretary 

Copy to: - 

Divisional Secretary, Bhavnagar 

Divisional Secretary, Rajkot 

Circle Secretary, Gujarat 

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