ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACKS ARE HALTED AT KOLKATA GPO -----
CIRCLE UNION CALLS FOR STAFF SOLIDARITY
THE RULE-37 TRANSFER ORDERS ARE NOT GETTING INTO EFFECT AT KOLKATA G.P.O. THE CIRCLE ADMINISTRATION IS RECONSIDERING THE ENTIRE SITUATION TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE TO RESOLVE THE COMPLICATION. THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE SITUATION TOOK PLACE AFTER ALL STAFFS OF KOLKATA GPO STARTED A TOTAL PEN-DOWN FROM 31.12.2010 MORNING AT THE CALL OF THE CIRCLE UNIONS. NORMALCY HAS BEEN RESTORED AT GPO AT ABOUT 1:30 P.M. WHEN ALL WERE BACK TO WORK AFTER THE RETHINKING BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
On an overall assessment of the situation, the Circle Unions finally decided to take a program of total pen-down at Kolkata GPO alongwith demonstration at C.O. and in all divisions at lunch hour in demand of withdrawal of the orders of Rule-37 transfer. Accordingly, all staffs of GPO refrained themselves from work from the morning. The huge response to the call showed the level of grievance of the staffs against the administration. Counter functioning, mail & delivery, even plying of cash vans were stalled affecting other divisions also as it was the pay day.
When the Regional administration took the matter up early in the day with the Circle Union, we only wanted to know from the Regional PMG that why such a drastic action was required when a discussion between the Circle Unions and administration was going on to clinch the issue. In discussion, the PMG, Kolkata referred to the 'Letter Incident' of Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram to Sri Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, C.M., West Bengal as an instance of present poor service of Kolkata GPO. The Circle Union firmly replied that it was a separate case and to mix it up with the present one was an absolute injustice (you may please remember that the Rule-37 orders were issued in respect of the alleged unpleasant incident with the Director, GPO).
The discussion failed with the stubborn stance of the Regional Administration. The pen-down went on.
Shortly after this, the Chief Postmaster General, Sri S.K.Chakraborti invited the Circle Union leadership for a discussion. The Circle Union presented its observation that there was no such situation which required harsh orders like Rule-37 transfers now in the earlier case. In the case of delayed delivery of the Home Minister's letter ---- we have still to wait to see what comes out in the inquiry. But it appears that the administration has taken the advantage of the situation and issued the orders in question in the earlier case.
The Ch PMG has discussed the matter with a realistic approach and finally, in presence of the PMG, Kolkata Region, it has been decided that the orders of transfers under Rule-37 will not be given effect to presently. The Ch PMG himself will take the score of the situation taking the union side into confidence, and a decision would be reached after a few days. The Union side also agreed to the observation of the Ch PMG and a position was reached to restore normalcy at Kolkata GPO.
At about 1:30 P.M., all branches started to function properly at GPO. At the decision of the Circle Union, the Director, GPO had been assured that the staffs of GPO would leave the office today only after finishing the day's work which were left pending since morning, and they did so.
The Circle Union, with this development of the situation, called off the demonstrations at C.O. and in divisions as well. All of our fighting colleagues are, however, requested to please be in readiness to jump into any kind of trade union action within a very short time at the call of the Circle Union, if the need be.
We congratulate the spirit and solidarity of the Postal fraternity of West Bengal for the way they have participated and extended support to the GPO staffs. The All India Union has also been apprised of the facts here. According to the General Secretary, emphasis will be given in the ensuing All India Conference on the aspect of growing administrative attacks in West Bengal Circle.