COMRADE  MONI BOSE  --- LEGENDARY LEADER OF P & T MOVEMENT PASSES  AWAY

 Comrade Moni Bose (86), one of the legendary few who led the P & T Workers' Movement before independence and contributed in shaping up our organisation to its present stage of strength, has breathed his last this morning (19.5.2010), in a nursing home in Kolkata.

 

Comrade Moni Gopal Bose was born in May 1927 in a village in present Bangladesh. He joined P&T Department as a Clerk in DET Office Kolkota on 25 August, 1945. He dedicated himself for his entire life for the cause of the organisation, beginning under the guidance of his elder brother, the great leader and teacher, Com. K.G.Bose. Both were dismissed from service in 1949 for leading a proposed strike in 1947 and never got the service back. Still he maintained close relation with the colleagues and was elected General Secretary of AIEEU Class III (E3 Union) in 1991 at Bhopal. He served the Union as President also.  Later on, he was elected Patron of BSNLEU.  He was member of Pay Commission for State Government Employees in West Bengal.

During the days of struggle, Comrade Monida was physically attacked, punished in his service, but never looked back. Younger comrades , the present leadership now, were immensely guided by him. He was relentless in attending organisational programs even if in last few years of his life, till his physical capacity allowed.

 

   We mourn the passing away of Comrade Monida with a heavy heart and pay our deepest tribute to his everlasting memory.   

POSTAL  JCA  ANNOUNCES  INDEFINITE  STRIKE  FROM  13TH JULY 2010

VIGOROUS  PREPARATORY PROGRAMS AHEAD

Dear Comrades,

                             As we have intimated you earlier, JCA has finalised the indefinite strike program from 13th July 2010 against the violent attack of the administration on the postal employees and the establishment. A multinational company, 'Mckinsey Multinational Consultant' has been appointed by the Department for effecting 'Structural Reorganisation'! Staff sides have been totally ignored and avoided by all possible means. Agreements made during earlier discussions were violated. The attack unleashed on us in shape of new projects, new schemes, system administration ---- are exceeding human limits.

       NFPE, FNPO, all General Secretaries including GDS unions have released the Charter of Demands and the Circular. It is reproduced below. Please go through it and unify all our comrades for a never-before fight for our existence.

 

POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION

National Federation of Postal Employees

Federation of National Postal Organisations

All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union

National Union of Gramin Dak Sewaks

Postal JCA/1/2010                                                                                                                        Dated 15^th May 2010

Nationwide Demonstration and Strike Notice Serving on 4^th June

Postcard Campaign and Meet the Public Personalities from 8^th to 15^th June

Black Badge Wearing and Demands Highlight Day on 29^th June

Non-cooperation from 5^th to 9^th July

Strike Rally on 12^th July

Indefinite Strike from July 13^th

Dear Comrades / Colleagues,

The All India Postal Joint Council of Action consisting of NFPE and FNPO Federations and their Affiliated Unions and Associations and the All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union & the National Union of Gramin Dak Sewaks met on 14^th May, 2010 in New Delhi.

The opening up of new attacks on the Postal Services and Staff and the highest order of unilateralism in taking various decisions against the interest of Postal Employees and the Postal Services as well as the gross violation of its own agreements by the Administration were the major points of deliberation in the JCA Meeting. Various other staff problems that are not receiving any real attention for long time also engaged the attention of the Postal JCA.

The Mckinsey Multinational Consultant has been appointed by the Department for effecting Structural Reorganisation! No interaction with the Staff Side has taken place nor is the Staff Side provided with any materials related to the terms and reference of the said MNC Consultant. It is widely believed that in the name of 'McKinsey' serious attacks on the RMS and Postal Structure are in the offing. Already the Department has unilaterally pushing ahead with its retrograde move of abolition of 'C' Class Post Offices in the urban areas all over India. It has also ordered down gradation of all GDS SOs into GDS BOs and closure of GDS BOs in the name of merger/upgradation.  The direction of the Department is for the total destruction of 'RMS' wing and merger of the entire RMS with the Post Offices is already visible and the McKinsey is expected to nail the coffin soon. Some Circle Administrations are so impatient that even before the McKinsey report; they want to commence the attack on the RMS in violation of the agreement reached on 30^th November 2009. Outsourcing of several Postal Operations like Mail Conveyance, Processing of Speed Post Articles, Data Entry Operations of several works have been accentuated.

On the other hand the Department is not coming forward to convene the meetings of Departmental Council JCM and Periodical Meeting with the Federations at the National level. Unilateral decisions like piecemeal cadre restructuring of Postmasters Cadre is being resorted to ignoring the comprehensive cadre restructuring of Group 'C' as like Railways and other Departments. Under the Project Arrow the employees are squeezed and exploited in violation of Rules and in the name of 100% delivery performance. Shortage of staff continues to haunt the services in spite of the removal of Screening Committee. The attack on the Postal Staff continues in the name of decentralization of PLI/RPLI work and no additional staff was granted to any Divisional Office anywhere for the additional work. Due to application of conditions in a mechanical way, the MACP is being denied to hundreds of Postal Employees. On one side the discrimination between the Drivers of Parliament Secretariat and MMS Drivers is created by the Government and on the other side no posts of Drivers are recruited and the existing Drivers are forced to work beyond human limits in MMS by the Department of Posts. The System Administrators are also forced beyond human endurance and they are treated as the middle ages slaves by the administration. Unilateral tightening of work norms and non-creation of work norms for several works performed by GDS is causing reduction of wages to GDS. The GDS are discriminated against on several issues despite many judgments of Court of Law and the justice continues to be denied to all types of Casual Labourers. We live in an environment of total suffocation and the Staff Side is fully side lined and ignored and the voice of the Staff Side is not heard at the higher level of Administration!

It is in this background,, the Postal JCA has come to the unanimous conclusion to undertake an All India Strike Campaign Tour during the months of June and July and unleash a series of Programmes to effect full mobilisation of Postal Employees for embarking upon a nationwide Non-cooperation Programme culminating in an Indefinite Strike from 13^th July 2010. The Programme of Action and the Indefinite Strike will be for realisation of the following Charter of Demands:

                                                          CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1.       Drop the move to outsource any function of the DoP including on the recommendations of McKinsey – Cancel the decision to close down 'C' Class Post Offices – Cancel the orders for down gradation of EDSOs into ED BOs  and closure of EDBOs - Roll back steps of privatisation of speed post processing and mail conveyance and data entry work.

2.       Stop violations in the Agreements on Status Quo of RMS & MMS as well as the merger of RMS with less than 10,000 mails – Create scientific norms for the work in CRC, Speed Post, Logistics and EPP – Cancel the orders for replacing the General Line HSG-I by ASPOs in Mail Offices.

3.       Holding of JCM Departmental Council meetings; Periodical Meetings with Federations; Sending of the issue of discrimination of pay scales between the Telecom TBOP/BCR and Postal TBOP/BCR w.e.f. 1.1.1996 to Board of Arbitration; and Holding of GDS Committee Meetings periodically with GDS Unions.

4.       Stop harassment of staff under Project Arrow – No extraction of work against Rules – No extraction of work beyond 8 Hours – No drafting of staff on duty and for Training etc on Sundays and Holidays – No harassment in the name of 100% Delivery – Withdrawal of all Punishments awarded to Postmen for minor non-delivery of articles.

5.       Fill up all vacant posts: [a] Undertake reassessment of vacancies in PA/SA cadre to rectify mistaken calculation of vacancies in all circles; [b] Fill up all vacant posts in all cadres in Department of Posts [Postal, RMS, MMS, Admn, Postal Accounts, SBCO, Civil Wing etc] as on 31.12.2009; [c] Allow local recruitment as one time measure in Postal Accounts similar to 1997 at Sundernagar. 

6.       Comprehensive Cadre Restructuring of Group 'C' employees in PA/SA Cadre; [b] Withdrawal of unilateral orders on piecemeal cadre restructuring of Postmasters' cadre until comprehensive Cadre Restructuring of PA/SA cadre is completed; [c] Comprehensive Cadre Restructuring of LDC, Sorters & DEOs in Postal Accounts by amalgamation into a single Accounts Assistants cadre in the pay of Pb-1 with 2400 GP; [d] Comprehensive cadre Restructuring of PA/SA cadre in SBCO; and [e] Comprehensive cadre restructuring of Postmen/Mailguard/Multi Task Staff.

7.       Grant of Pension, Departmental status to GDS extending the all benefits such as HRA/CCA, ACP etc, including Trade Union rights and welfare measurers – Remove discrimination on Bonus ceiling – Modify the 20,000 unilateral imposition of cash handling work points for GDS BPMs – Withdraw orders denying revised TRCA w.e.f. 1.1.2006 in respect of BPMs – Compute work norms to all types of work performed including NREGS, PLI,RPLI, Pension Payments etc to GDS – Implement enhanced Social Security to GDS like Ex-Gratia Gratuity and Severance Amount w.e.f. 1.1.2006.

8.       Grant of Parity in Pay Scale [PB-1 with GP 2400/-] for MMS Drivers on par with Drivers of Parliament Secretariat – Recruitment of adequate number of Drivers – Sanction of OSA for the long distance logistics van drivers of MMS – Technology training to Work Shop staff and grant of Data Entry Operators scale of pay to Work Shop Staff.

9.       Implement Supreme Court Orders for revision of wages from 1.1.2006 [6^th CPC wages] to all RRR Candidates, Casual Labourers, Contingent staff, GDS Substitutes etc – Grant Temporary Status to eligible Full Time Status Casual labourers; Convert Part Time into Full Time; Absorb Full Time, Part Time, contingent in vacant GDS Posts.

10.   Fill up all vacancies of Postmen and Mailguards - Roll back the unscientific scheme of Single Postman Beat System – Modify certain unscientific work norms of Postmen / MTS finalised by Work Study Unit - Enhance the Postman Double Duty Allowance as per the recommendations of 6^th CPC.

11.   Remove all local anomalies in MACP Scheme like application of benchmark for the period prior to introduction of MACP Scheme; Grant MACP on 'Average' benchmark like Department of Railways; Denial of MACP for acts of denial of regular promotion earlier to introduction of MACP; Denial to grant PB-2 while upgradation to Grade Pay 4200 and above to Group 'C' Officials etc.

12.   Creation of System Administrators Cadre with higher pay scales and absorption of all System Administrators in the new cadre during initial composition – Uniform Norms for System Administrators including work hours, number of systems, distance factor – Financial compensation for special and extra work performed by System Administrators.

13.   Early finalisation of Recruitment Rules for upgraded Group 'C' in PB-1 with 1800 GP – Ensure present system of absorption of GDS and TS CLS in Group 'D' posts into the new RR without insisting for the educational qualification – Filling up all the posts of Multi Tasking Staff without any delay.

14.   Amalgamation of Group 'C' Accounts Cadres of DoP and DoT.

15.   Roll back of the Decentralisation of PLI/RPLI work – Augment required staff strength in PLI branch of CO/RO/DPLI –Maintain centralized accounting system through the Office of DPLI Kolkata – Fill up the vacant posts of COs/ROs/DPLI Kolkata to manage huge shortage;

16.   Parity of scale of pay of Ministerial Cadre in Postal Civil Wing on par with the Postal Assistants and upgradation of posts of Works Clerk Grade –II/Grade-I/Head Clerk – Filling up of all vacant posts of technical as well as ministerial posts – Creation of one Civil Wing Circle for each Postal Circle.

17.   Regularise the HSG-I, HSG-II, LSG arrangements and grant Officiating Pay & Allowances to all Officials holding the posts.

PROGRAMME OF ACTION

Dear Comrades / Colleagues,

The patience of Postal Employees is grossly misunderstood by the Postal Administration as our weakness and a licence to impose whatever retrograde policies they could think of. Time has come to unite as one man and raise our strong voice against all kinds of humiliation. Let us mentally get prepared for a sustained struggle by accepting all sacrifices. No advancement was achieved without sacrifices and no advancement is possible without further sacrifices. We have presented a united platform of struggle and it is now the responsibility of the rank and file to get organised with all their ideological and other differences left aside in the common interest of all of us. We call upon you to undertake all measures unitedly by forgetting all local differences and stand as one Man with full determination. Our each and every programme decided by the Postal JCA has to be taken to the last employee of the department. Every programme has to be converted into a total success.

·         On 4th June when the CHQ issues Notice of Indefinite Strike to Department, all levels of our Organisations shall serve the copy of Strike Notice to respective Administration by organising massive demonstrations.

·         All India Strike Campaign Tour by CHQ leaders [Details soon to be circulated]

·         The Postcard Campaign and Meet the Public Representatives like M.Ps/M.L.As shall be a tremendous success to put pressure on the Department. [Text of Postcard Campaign enclosed as Annexure.]The Honourable Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies may be submitted a copy of this JCA Letter seeking their kind intervention to write to Shri.A.Raja Honourable MOC&IT for settlement of our justified demands.

·         Black Badge wearing and Demands Highlights Day on 29^th June, 2010 to draw the attention of the Government about our determination to go on strike. [Text of Badge is supplied in the Annexure]

·         The Non-cooperation Programme from July 5-9 shall show to the Government / Department that without our cooperation it will not be possible for the Department to run the show anywhere including Project Arrow Offices and Speed Post Centres etc. The Non-cooperation programme should clearly prove that if we work according to Rules then the functions and operations will come to a standstill. This Programme should be a prelude to the success of the Indefinite Strike from 13^th July.

·         Indefinite Strike from 06.00 Hrs on 13^th July 2010.

United we win! Divided we fall! Unite to win!!

With Struggle Greetings,

K.RAGAVENDRAN SECRETARY GENERAL NFPE K.V.SRIDHARAN GENERAL SECRETARY P3[NFPE]                   ISHWAR SINGH DABAS  GENERAL SECRETARY P4 [NFPE] GIRI RAJ SINGH GENERAL SECRETARY R3 [NFPE]                                   P.SURESH GENERAL SECRETARY R4 [NFPE]            PRANAB BHATTACHARJEE GENERAL SECRETARY ADMN [NFPE]                  P.RAJANAYAGAM  GENERAL SECRETARY AIPAEA [NFPE]                S.S.MAHADEVAIAH   GENERAL SECRETARY AIPEDEU

D.THEAGARAJAN SECRETARY GENERAL FNPO D.KISHANRAO GENERAL SECRETARY P3 [FNPO] T.N.RAHATE GENERAL SECRETARY P4 [FNPO] D.THEAGARAJAN GENERAL SECRETARY R3 [FNPO] A. SIDDIQUE GENERAL SECRETARY R4 [FNPO] O.P.KANNA GENERAL SECRETARY ADMN [FNPO] P.U. MURALIDHARAN  GENERAL SECRETARY NUGDS

    

               

TEXT OF POST CARD CAMPAIGN To Shri.A.Raja Honourable MOC & IT Government of India Electronic  Nikethan CGO Complex Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110001 Respected Sir, POSTAL EMPLOYEES REQUEST YOUR KIND INTERVENTION TO DIRECT THE POSTAL BOARD TO DISCUSS THE CHARTER OF DEMANDS OF POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION FOR REACHING SETTLEMENT OF OUR JUSTIFIED ISSUES. THANKING YOU SIR, YOURS FAITHFULLY, -------------------------- Name: Designation: Office: Date:

TEXT OF BLACK BADGE DEMANDS HIGHLIGHTS DAY 29.06.2010 WE DEMAND IMMEDIATE SETTLEMENT OF CHARTER OF DEMANDS SUBMITTED BY POSTAL JCA

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

PLEASE RUSH IN YOUR COLLECTIONS IN SHAPE OF ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE FEDERAL COUNCIL

All India Postal Employees Group-C

All India Postal Employees Union Postmen & Multiskilled Employees/ Group-D

All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union

West Bengal Circle

37, Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Kolkata-13.

No: PC- 33/ Federal Council Dated 14.05.2010.

AN URGENT APPEAL TO THE DIVISIONAL SECRETARIES

Dear Comrades,

Already you are aware that the 8th Federal Council of NFPE will be held in New Delhi from 20-22 June 2010, organized by the Federation itself. But presently the Federation is not financially sound enough to carry the entire expenditure of this huge task from available fund. So, the Federation has sent an appeal to each division for sending in at least two advertisements for the souvenir to be published on the occasion of the Federal Council.

In this circumstance, West Bengal Circle has the primary obligation to our beloved Federation to share the expense. Therefore, the Circle Unions endorse the sincere request of Com. K.Raghavendra to all of our divisional leaderships to arrange for sending at least two advertisements to the federation, one of which should be from each divisional union itself (i.e., like ‘With Best Wishes for the grand success of our Federal Coucil’ ------- From ………………Division / Unit, West Bengal Circle).

Please treat this request of the Federation as an extremely urgent organizational task and ensure necessary measures to comply at the earliest possible date with proper information to the Circle Union.

                                                                           Comradely yours,

           ( J. Majumdar)                                  (N.C.Dey)                                   (B.G.Sur)

              Circle Secretary, P-III                   Circle Secretary, P-IV            Circle Secretary, EDEU

EXTENDED CIRCLE WORKING COMMITTEE DECIDES TO BUILD UP STRONG MOVEMENT CIRCLEWIDE AFTER ACHIEVING HUGE MEMBERSHIP

       Two day's Extended Circle Working Committee has concluded to day in Kolkata with the decision to build up a fresh wave of vehement trade union movement against the present attitude and reluctance of the Circle Administration on almost all staff benefit issues, especially on issues like North Presidency, Alipore H.O., Darjeeling etc.

     The Extended CWC, enriched by the deliberations of Com. Pranab Bhattacharya and Com. Tapan Dasgupta on the first day, deeply analysed the latest situation after membership verification and the organisational position. Indeed it is very refreshing that among deliberate confusions from media and other sources, NFPE HAS SUCCESSFULLY SECURED EVEN LARGER MEMBERSHIP IN WEST BENGAL CIRCLE, DESPITE RETIREMENT AND RETRENCHMENT.

       The CWC has decided to launch movement of higher intensity over the inaction of the C.O. We shall not let them play with our resentment indefinitely at their will. They will be made to realise once again that we are not at their mercy, we are indispensable for the department. The movement will be advanced to any level if they do not feel the necessity of amicable settlement.

          On 13th May, this Thursday, a stay-in demonstration is to be held at big offices & zonal levels from 1 P.M. to 5 P.M.  on 11 point charter of demand already circulated to the divisional leadership. A resolution will be adopted from the program and be sent to the Chief PMG by fax. A copy should be sent to Circle Union. The text of the resolution is given below :

Resolution Dated 13.05.2010.

 

        This mass demonstration of NFPE Group of Unions, .......... Division / Unit expresses its strongest grievance and resentment over the inaction of the Circle Administration on different staff matters --- North Presidency, Alipore H.O. and Darjeeling in particular. Despite recording serious protest by our unions, the administration is resorting to different intrigues rather than settling the complications harmoniously.

 

        Be it resolved that if the Circle Administration does not change its present stance of ignoring the staff sentiment and underestimating the graveness of our resentment, all cross-sections of Postal employees will be compelled to launch Circlewide unprecedented trade union movement to achieve the demands.

 

          Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution will be sent to the Chief Postmaster General, West Bengal Circle, demanding visible action within a reasonable time. 

 

(Signature of the President of the meeting)