CONDEMN  POLITICAL  THREATS  &  ATTACKS  ON  OUR  CONTAI  DIVISIONAL  CONFERENCE  :  HOLD  DHIKKAR  SABHA  ON  MONDAY, 18th APRIL 2011.

  Dear Comrades,

                                 In our usual way, the Contai Divisional Unions were holding their biennial conference on 9th & 10th April 2011 at a local school. The conference commenced on 9th evening. In late evening, a gang of 300-350 local Trinalmul Congress hoodlums came to the conference site and gave a mandate to stop the Red Flag Program instantly. Our comrades, with the assistance of local ABTA members, tried to make them understand that it was a trade union conference according to approved constitution of the Central Govt.

      They left after giving warning only to come back again nearly the morning. This time they again tried to stop the conference, but being halted by our bold comrades, they departed but gave direction that no poilitical leader (belonging to Left idealism, of course) would be allowed to attend, no rally could hit the road and no LAAL JHANDA can be displayed outside the boundaries of the hosting school. 

       WE SALUTE OUR CONTAI DIVISIONAL COMRADES NOT TO GIVE UP AND FOR SUCCESFULL COMPLETION OF THE CONFERENCE AGAINST ALL ODDS.

          The Circle Unions have decided to condemn this hooliganism as it is a manifestation of TMC's undemocratic attitude and semi-fascist intolerance. To organise the entire postal fraternity against this attack, we call all members to hold DHIKKAR SABHA at prominent offices on Monday, 18.4.2011 at recess hours. You may contact Com. Tapan Dasgupta or Com. Janardan Majumder for any inquiry.

             It is high time to consider what would these people do to the common mass of the state if they ever had the scope to enjoy more power.

                      

COM.  MRINALKANTI  ROYCHOWDHURY, DIVL. SECRETARY, Gr-C, ALIPORE H.O.

PASSES  AWAY

         

              COMRADE MRINALKANTI ROY CHOWDHURY, OUR SECRETARY OF ALIPORE H.O. BRANCH AND A DEDICATED TRADE UNION SOLDIER, HAS BREATHED HIS LAST ON FEBRUARY 14, YESTERDAY,  AT 11-25 P.M. IN A SOUTH KOLKATA HOSPITAL. ALL CIRCLE UNIONS REQUEST TO WEAR BLACK BADGE ON THE NEXT WORKING DAY IN REMEMBRANCE AND MOURNING OF OUR BELOVED AND RESPECTED COMRADE.

           SOFT-SPOKEN, JOVIAL AND DEARLY COM. MRINAL DA ATTENDED THE PUNE ALL INDIA CONFERENCE WITH US WITH A HEALTHY CONDITION. BUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMING BACK, HE WAS DETECTED SUFFERING FROM CANCER AT THE TERMINAL STAGE. HE WAS TAKEN TO TATA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, MUMBAI, BUT THE DOCTORS GAVE UP. HE LOST HIS BATTLE AGAINST THE SILENT DISEASE LAST NIGHT, SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, SON, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, DAUGHTER AND GRAND DAUGHTER. WE HAVE NO WORDS TO CONVEY OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY.

            
              Com. Mrinal Roychowdhury, born on 05.3.1953, started his career on 01.8.1970  as Boy Messenger at Basirhat In undivided South Presidency Division. He was promoted to clerical cadre on 24.11.1974.  Later, he preferred transfer to Alipore H.O. under Rule-38 and joined there as P.A.(Signaler) on 01.5.1993. He always remained a reliable activist of our organisation and finally, shouldered the responsibility of the Secretary of Alipore H.O. till his parting day. 

            Com. Mrinal Da, 58,  was one of the most-seen faces in all organisational programs at Circle & All India levels. He was also among the very few personalities around us in these days who could attract people on the first day with his soft,  cheerful and friendly approach. Despite being a Branch Secretary, he was far from any publicity or loudness. But his inert strength was manifested when under his leadership, the courageous comrades of Alipore H.O. time & again barricaded in front of the reactionist forces. In his last days, he actively contributed and helped other division's comrades to get different paper formalities completed from judicial authorities of Alipore. 

             With his untimely and unanticipated demise, we all have lost a selfless comrade with an everlasting smile on his lips.  

             RED  SALUTE  COMRADE  MRINAL  ROY CHOWDHURY.

   

                

PROGRAMS  OF  NFPE  IN  PROTEST  OF  PART TIME  WORKERS'  DEPRIVATION

               Our comrades are well in knowledge of the long deprivation of the Part-Time & Contingent-paid workers of Dept of Posts. Wages of all categories of employees have been revised through the 6th Pay Commission & GDS Committee. But the Central Govt, despite several sorts of communications and movements, did not show any sympathy to the justified and legitimate demands of wage revision to the Part-time & Contingent-paid workers of our department. Rather, many orders have been issued during this time with the clear intention to abolish their posts gradually.

                   In these days of consistently steep price-rise, neither their wage has been revised, nor their Dearness Allowance is increased since July 2008. They are working by our side watching us to enjoy the increased D.A. & wage.

                     NFPE has called upon us to hold two programs on 10.02.2011 & 03.03.2011 protesting the reluctance and delay in granting the justified financial benefits to these colleagues. On 10th Feb, all divisions will hold demonstrations at their headquarters and on 3rd March, a demonstration will be floored at Yogayog Bhaban (Circle Office). 

                        All organisers are requested to prepare and observe the above programs with due importance and provide necessary assistance to the divisional Part-time organisation to mobilise. 

HOLD  DEMONSTRATION  AGAINST  THE  WAY & POLICY  OF  PAY-CUT  FOR  7th  SEPT 2010  STRIKE 

              This is already under the notice of all organisers and our members that the department has ordered to deduct one day's salary for our strike on  7th September 2010. Some over-enthusiastic divl administration have  even issued letters to our members marking the day as 'unauthorised absence'.

               Let us first make it clear that we never think or demand that the department will pay us for a day of strike unless it is regularised by leave through  amicable discussion and decision. But we are strongly against the way  the authority is behaving and their policy of implementation of the pay-cut.  


                  The fundamental question is ------ whether a local authority is empowered with the capacity to decide to regularise a day of strike with leave. In 1998, our period of strike was regularised with leave by the decision of the cabinet. The  14 days of strike in the year 2000 have not yet been regularised with leave due to denial by the cabinet. So, it is the cabinet that is empowered with the capacity of taking a decision regarding  regularisation of strike period with leave. So, it is beyond the jurisdiction of any authority below the rank and power of the cabinet. So, we are of the opinion that our administration is acting beyond their jurisdiction here.

                   Then again, our federation served strike notice to Directorate. So, the question of unauthorised absence is irrelevant and illogical. Secondly, if anybody faced any difficulty to enter the office or perform office duty on any day, he/she should intimate the authority on the very next day. But here the administration is asking the staffs after four months about their difficulties.Thus, the administration is purposefully encouraging the non-strikers and trying to create a fear-psychosis. Thirdly, all rulings of Govt and the Supreme Court direct to deduct pay on 'No Work No Pay' basis, but our dept is deliberately violating it repeatedly. 

                    So, the Circle Unions have decided to hold demonstration in all divns tomorrow at lunch-hours and sent the following resolution. We are also considering legal aspects of the situation .

 RESOLUTION DATED 25.01.2011

                 This mass demonstration of all cross section of postal employees under NFPE ( with EDE), ..............division notes with serious concern that the orders have been issued at all levels inviting leave applications from the employees taking part in Postal Strike on 07.09.2010. To our opinion, this is highly irregular and clear instance of administrative interference into trade union rights. In no circumstances, the administration should move  beyond its jurisdiction. 

                 This is our further opinion that the absence of the officials from duty on 07.09.2010 is not at all unauthorised as formal Strike notice was served to the competent authority by our federation (NFPE) & its affiliated organisations under the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act. It would not be out of place  to mention that the department had never declared the strike unjustified. 

                   This demonstration, therefore, resolves that the day should not be treated as unauthorised absence and the principle of 'No Work No Pay' should be maintain ed in general. This demonstration further resolves that the administration should refrain from taking any unauthorised and irregular activities to avoid serious staff resentment .

                                                                     (Signature of the President of the  meeting)

POSTAL COORDINATION  COMMITTEE,  WEST  BENGAL,  HOLDS  A  SUCCESSFUL  TRADE  UNION  CLASS

                  

                    NFPE Group of Circle Unions of West Bengal, under the banner of Postal Coordination Committee, held the Trade Union Class today, as notified, at Shramik Mangal Kendra, Kankurgachi, Kolkata. 

                 Com. Nirupam Sen, Hon'ble Minister of Industry & Commerce, Govt. of West Bengal, delivered his speech on the topic 'Movement of The Working Class : Role of The Left Front Govt.'. Prof. Dr. Subhankar Chakraborty spoke on the topic 'Fascism & Th eThoughts of Rabindranath Tagore'. Both the topics had their relevance in the present times and the speakeres were authorities on their subjects. Naturally they mesmerized the audience during the two sessions of the class.

                 East Kolkata, the host division, was very particular in management of the event. 592 comrades participated from all over the circle in today's class. The whole program was disciplined as per the tradition of our circle.

                    Both the speeches have been video recorded. All comrades are requested to place requisition to collect the video CD from Circle Union or Com. Uttam Pal (9432801013) and ensure sincere efforts for wide publicity.

CIRCLE  UNION  CONGRATULATES  ALL  DELEGATES  OF  WEST  BENGAL  CIRCLE  TO  THE  28th  ALL  INDIA  CONFERENCE  FOR  THEIR  PARTICIPATION  AND  CONTRIBUTION

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.

RAISE  VOICE  OF  PROTEST  AGAINST  ADMINISTRATIVE  ATROCITIES  AT  KOLKATA G.P.O.  ---- DEMONSTRATION  AT  C.O.  AND  ALL  DIVISIONS  TOMORROW.

        The Circle and Kolkata GPO administration has issued transfer orders for two officials under Rule-37 of P & T Manual vol-IV, one to South Presidency and the other to South Nadia Divisions.

          These orders have been issued at such a time when the Circle Unions have interfered to clinch the complications between GPO staff-side & the administration. We do not think that there can be any issue which cannot be settled on the table of discussion. The complication originated when the administration deviated from their earlier assurance and made an effort to redeploy more posts from GPO to other divisions beyond justification and without taking any concrete workload. Unpleasant situation was invited by the administration in that way during a local demonstration by our branch unions of Kolkata GPO.

             Two officials of GPO have already been charge sheeted under Rule-14 of CCS (CCA) Rules, and now they are transferred under Rule-37 to far-flung divisions curbing their service conveniences. 

               The Circle Unions have called upon the branch & divisional secretaries of branches & divisions in Kolkata city to participate in a massive demonstration at the C.O. at 1:30 P.M. tomorrow. All other branch & divisional unions will also hold lunch-hour demonstration against the atrocity and send a savingram to the Chief Postmaster General in the following text :

Savingram  dated  31.12.2010.

 ======  Stop administrative attacks & vindication on staffs   XXX  Drop charge sheets under Rule-14 & withdraw transfer orders under Rule-37 at Kolkata GPO   XXX   else we shall be compelled to launch circlewide severe trade union action   =====

Please send the savingram to the Chief Postmaster General by fax from all divisions. 

 

REFLECTION  OF  REDEPLOYED  POSTS  IN  VACANCY  STATEMENTS ---- INFORMATION IS REQUIRED

            In last few years, a number of posts in different cadres have been redeployed / diverted to other divisions. Circle Unions have made it clear that in no case staff should be moved unless he / she is personally interested. On common understanding with the Circle Administration, only posts identified as surplus in one unit / division has been redeployed / diverted in other unit / division.

              But it has been pointed out by almost all divisions who have received such redeployed posts that as per the present norms and guidelines of preparing the vacancy statement for a year, such new posts cannot be shown, and thus, practically such redeployment becomes ineffective and just another tool for post abolition.

               The Circle Union has studied the case with some divisions and it appears that the complaint has definite material in it.  We need concrete statistics to proceed against this irregularity due to which we have lost posts in disguise of redeployment or diversion.

                  Therefore, all Divisional Secretaries under Kolkata Region (other regions will follow shortly as per our request) are requested to please prepare a report on factual position in the following format :

1. Year of receiving additional posts.
2. No. of redeployed / diverted posts received alongwith Circle Office memo. no. 
3. Vacancy statement for that year.
4. Whether number of redeployed posts received could be added to the normal vacancy.

               

CIRCLE  UNION  HOLDS  TALK  WITH  CHIEF PMG  ON  TRAINING  &  JOINING  OF  NEW  P.A.s

      A delegation of the Circle Union has met the Chief Postmaster General and discussed on the process of joining of new Postal Assistants as early as possible. 

            The matter of the selected P.A.s against the vacancies for the years 2006-2008 is not yet clear. Hon'ble Tribunal has concluded the hearing of their cases on 14th December last and yet not pronounced the verdict (order is under CAB). According to sources, the department will decide further course of action for them after vetting the judgement of the C.A.T. 

              For the candidates selected against the vacancies for the years 2009-10, the Circle Office is finalising a syllabus for an in-house training which would be provided to them for immediate joining even before the formal induction training. Actually, this has been instructed by the Postal Directorate through their circular dated 10.11.2010 (see the blog below). This syllabus will be sent to Directorate for approval and action will be taken consequentially. 

              
              The Circle Union has also placed a request in writing to exempt the candidates from further training who already completed induction training at Vadodara but not appointed (in the former batch) and again selected against the last vacancy. It is expected that this would be accepted by the department after due approval from competent authority.