Wednesday, December 28, 2011

POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANIZATIONS

ALL INDIA POSTAL EXTRA DEPARTMENTAL EMPLOYEES UNION

NATIONAL UNION OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS

NEW DELHI

DISCUSSION WITH POSTAL BOARD - NO PROGRESS

JCA DECIDES TO GO AHEAD WITH THE STRIKE DECISION

HOLD MASS DHARNA ON 10.01.2012 IN FRONT OF

CIRCLE/REGIONAL/DIVISIONAL OFFICES

On 27.12.2011, Discussion on 25 point Charter of Demands has been held with the Postal Board -Member (Personnel), Member (Operations), Member (PLI) and Member (Planning). The discussion lasted for eight hours. Even though the staff side has elaborately explained all the demands raised in the Charter, there was no favourable or result-oriented settlement on any of the demands. Thereafter the Central JCA met and decided to go ahead with the strike decision. It is decided to intensify the campaign. Accordingly the Central JCA calls upon all the Branch/Divisional/Circle Union to organize MASS Dharna in front of all Circle/Regional/Divisional offices on 10.01.2012. It is also decided to organize candle-light protest demonstration/procession/rallies on all important places on 16.01.2012. Further all intensive campaign such as squad work, conventions, general bodies, press conferences etc may be organized at all levels. Make the indefinite strike from 17.01.2012 a historic success.

Monday, December 19, 2011

STRIKE NOTICE SERVED

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 SEVAKS

JCA/2011 Dated – 15th December 2011

To,

The Director General

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan,

New Delhi – 110001

NOTICE

Madam,

In accordance with the provisions of Sub Section (1) of Section 22 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, we hereby notify that all the Postal/RMS/MMS/Administrative & Postal Accounts Employees and the Gramin Dak Sewaks will go on indefinite strike from 17.01.2012. The demands for acceptance of which the employees embark upon this indefinite strike are detailed in the Charter of Demands enclosed.

M. Krishnan D. Theagarajan

Secretary General, NFPE Secretary General, FNPO

K. V. Sridharan D. Kishan Rao

General Secretary, AIPEU Group ‘C’ General Secretary, NAPE Group ‘C’

Ishwar Singh Dabas T. N. Rahate

General Secretary General Secretary

Postmen, MTS & Group ‘D’ NAPE Postmen, MTS & Group ‘D’

Giriraj Singh D. Theagarajan

General Secretary General Secretary

AIRMS & MMS EU Group ‘C’ R-3, FNPO

-2-

P. Suresh A. H. Siddique

General Secretary General Secretary

AIRMS & MMS EU MG & Group ‘D’ R-4, FNPO

Pranab Bhattacharjee O.P.Khanna
General Secretary General Secretary

AIPAOEU Group C & D Admn. Emp. Association- FNPO

S. S. Mahadevaiah P.U. Muralidharan

General Secretary General Secretary

AIPEDEU NUGDS

T. Satyanarayana H.L. Ramteke

General Secretary General Secretary

AIPAEA AIPAOA

S. Appanraj S. Sambandam

General Secretary General Secretary

AIPSBCOEA NASBCO

S. A. Raheem Pratha Pratim Ghorai

General Secretary General Secretary

AIPCWEA NUCWE


CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1. (a) Drop the Mail Network Optimisation Project (MNOP) and reject the Mckinsey Consultancy’s disastrous recommendations. Inspite of the opposition and disagreement expressed by the staff side in the MNOP Committee, the Department is going ahead with the implementation of L1, L2 (hub system for first class mails). Further the request for additional intra-circle speed post hubs proposed by the staff side is not yet fully implemented. Change of administrative jurisdiction of speed post hubs from Postal side to RMS side is also not considered favourably.

(b) Stop closure/merger of Post offices including Branch Post offices. Even though it was assured by the Secretary (Posts) in the minutes of the discussion held on 01.07.2011, that there will be no closure/merger of Post offices, except simultaneous relocation, instructions in this regard are yet to be communicated to the Circle/Regional heads. Even now some Regional heads are closing Post offices indiscriminately.

(c) Drop the proposed move to introduce delivery hubs for delivery of articles by withdrawing delivery from all town sub post offices in the urban areas. Orders for rotation of the Sorting Postmen work among Beat Postman may be withdrawn.

(d) Review CRC, EPP and logistics norms.

2. Grant status as Central Government Civil Servants to Gramin Dak Sevaks employees for all purposes including service matters, pay scale, increment, allowances, pension, promotion, leave, bonus, trade unions rights and other terminal benefits. Scrap the new Recruitment rules for appointment of postmen by 25% outside recruitment which curtails the promotional avenues of GDS and restore the previous Recruitment rules. Enhance the bonus ceiling of GDS to 3500/- at par with regular employees. Withdraw the tightened norms for cash handling, stamp sale, and other norms for assessing the workload of BPMs, stop reduction of TRCA in case of reduction in workload. Modify the orders restricting compassionate appointment of GDS. Scrap the newly notified “GDS Conduct & Engagement Rules” and restore the previous “GDS Conduct and Employment Rules”. Fill up all GDS Mailmen Posts in RMS. Providing norms for NREGS and till that time the higher rate of incentive may be paid. Inspite of assurances to reconsider the orders, no favourable orders have been issued so far.

3. Revise the wages of casual labourers including part-time and contingent employees w.e.f. 1.1.2006 as per Supreme Court orders based on the minimum pay implemented as per Sixth CPC recommendations. Stop outsourcing the work of casual labourers and contingent employees. Grant temporary Status to all full time casual labourers. Convert part-time into full-time by combination of duties. Absorb all part-time casual and contingent employees creating GDS posts. Inspite of favourable assurances during discussion no orders have been issued so far.

4. Immediate revision of OTA rates and stop recovery of OTA paid to officials who are engaged compulsorily on OTA overlooking the pay-ceiling.

5. Implement the assurances made on 12.07.2010 strike settlement and also in the JCM Departmental Council Meeting held on 23.08.2010. Ensure prompt holding of Departmental Council Meetings. Inspite of assurance that next JCM meeting will be held within one month, no meeting has been notified so far.

6. Immediate finalization of Cadre Restructuring proposals including Postal Accounts as assured by the Secretary Department of Posts and its implementation. Inspite of the assurance that the proposals will be finalized within one month, the process is still in the initial stage.

7. Stop decentralization of Postal Accounts, PLI and RPLI and ensure status-quo. Save DPLI office, Kolkata and ensure job security to the staff of DPLI. Certain items of work relating to PLI has been decentralized unilaterally.

8. Expedite the process of filling of all vacant posts in all wings including GDS. Create additional new post wherever workload is heavy. 2/3 posts for the period up to 2008 kept in skeleton may be redeployed to offices where additional post is justified.

9. Ensure 100% filling up of LSG, HSG-II, HSG-I promotional posts before implementation of Postmasters Cadre, remove the retrograde eligibility conditions for appearing the examination of Grade I and PSS Group B and allow Account line officials also.

10. Create the System Administrators posts as assured with specified norms and other works and make it a separate cadre as a promotional cadre to PA/SA.

11. Stop combination of beats /double duty, stop harassment of staff insisting 100% impracticable condition for delivery under Project Arrow. Settle the demands raised in the Postmen Committee such as distance factor, number of articles, Grant of Cycle allowance without distance condition, cash payment for uniform and kit items, Supply of good quality uniforms, Revision of norms. Stop imposing unmanageable workload on staff in the name of verification of applications and delivery of Adhar cards to public. Settle the items already submitted by Postmen Unions.

12. Fixing norms for newly assigned works of Multi Tasking Staff. Allow to decline postman promotion for MTS under seniority quota without loosing MACP promotions and review the recruitment rules of MTS to Postmen / Mail Guards.

13. Grant promotions to Drivers / Artisans at par with other C.G. organizations like Railways/Defence. Higher Pay Scales to charge hand & Drivers.

14. Declare SBCO Staff as Divisional cadre, Stop harassment of SBCO officials under contributory factors. Complete the Ledger Agreement Work and update the SBCO before launching Core Banking.

15. Fill up all Postal Civil Wing and Electrical Wing posts as per CPWD norms. Creation of one Civil Circle and Electrical and Architectural Division in every Circle. Expedite the Restructuring of Civil Wing Cadres. Restrict the transfer of non-gazetted staff within the concerned Postal Circle only. Retain Head clerk designation instead of Assistant and declare Head clerk as supervisory posts.

16. Ensure full fledge functioning of newly formed Postal Accounts Offices by providing adequate staff strength and accommodation. Rectify the anomaly caused due to promotion of Group ‘D’ official to the cadre of LDC after 2006. Restore the residency period of three years in respect of JA to SA promotion retrospectively w.e.f. 13.12.2006. Grant MACP to those joined in Sorter cadre treating LDC as entry grade as the Sorter grade has been defunct since 2000. Expedite the process of filling up of vacant posts in the Postal Accounts Wing.

17. Counting of past services rendered by erstwhile RTPs for promotions and MACP.

18. Implement Apex Court Judgment in case of RRR Candidates in true sprit and extend to all approved RRR Candidates awaiting for absorption.

19. Stop Harassing and victimization of innocent officials under contributory negligence factors. Implement the true spirit of Govt. orders and Volumes and no recovery should be made if the concerned is not directly responsible for the loss sustained to the department.

20. Stop discrimination towards PO & RMS Accounts Cadre, Create separate cadre and earmark percentage of posts for norm based promotions in the same cadre, Count Special Allowance for fixation on promotion, Withdraw the recovery imposed on Postman Pay fixation and drawal of bonus to GDS. Restore the date of passing the Accountant examination for according LSG promotions instead date of entry in PA cadre.

21. Enhance the LR strength on all cadres to the extent of 20% and fill up all vacant LR posts.

22. Ensure prompt grant of Child Care Leave as per the liberalized orders, unnecessary hurdles put forth should be dropped.

23. Review the MACP clarificatory orders and rectify the issues like, non drawal of special allowance on acquiring MACP, wrong interpretation of IIIrd MACP to departmental promotes only after 30 years, Counting as double promotions as Group D & Postmen even in the case of promotion to Postman on GDS quota, non counting of training period for MACP, ignore promotions acquired on deptl. exam for MACP, ignore all uncommunicated average bench marks for MACP as per Judicial verdict. Ensure prompt holding of DPCs at Circle and Divisional level as per DOP&T latest instructions. Grant of Grad pay 1900, 2000 with effect from 01.01.2006 to those Group D (MTS) who were given TBOP/BCR before 1.01.2006.

24. Stop attack on Union office bearers by misusing Rule 37 transfers and Rule 9 of CCS (CCA) Rules. Dispose all Rule 9 (Pension rules) disciplinary cases and review petition cases pending at Directorate years together.

25. Denying the legitimate right of employees to avail holidays & Sundays by compelling them to attend frequent meetings/Melas arranged by the department. Inspite of the instructions issued by Directorate, some of the lower authorities are still compelling the staff to attend melas and meetings on Sundays and holidays.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Friday 9 December 2011

INDEFINITE STRIKE DATE CHANGED

FROM 3rd JANUARY TO 17th JANUARY, 2012.

TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE DIFFICULTIES EXPRESSED BY SOME OF CIRCLE SECRETARIES AND GENERAL SECRETARIES GDS UNIONS FOR ORGANIZING STRIKE IN AN EFFECTIVE MANNER WITH IN A SHORT PERIOD, THE CENTRAL JCA HAS DECIDED TO POSTPONE THE DATE OF INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 3rd JANUARY TO 17th JANUARY, 2012. THERE IS NO CHANGE IN THE STRIKE NOTICE SERVING DATE AND HUNGER FAST BY GENERAL SECRETARIES.

COPY OF THE STRIKE NOTICE AND CHARTER OF DEMANDS WILL BE EXHIBITED IN THE WEB SITE SHORTLY.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

INDEFINITE STRIKE IS DEFERRED FROM 3-1-2012 TO 17-1-2012 AS PER THE REQUEST OF GENERAL SECRETARY, GDS UNION.

POSTAL JOINT COIUNCIL OF ACTION DECIDES TO ORGANISE INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 3RD JANUARY 2012


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 SEVAKS


NEW DELHI


No: JCA/AGTN/2011 Dated 05.12.2011



CENTRAL JCA DECIDES TO SERVE STRIKE NOTICE


FOR ALL INDIA INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 03.01.2012


STRIKE NOTICE WILL BE SERVED ON 15.12.2011



*Against Unilateral Move to Implement Mail Network Optimization Project [L1 and L2] in RMS;


*Against Violation of Assurances and Non-implementation of Agreed Demands of 5th July, 2011 Deferred Strike


- ORGANISE MASS DEMONSTRATIONS / DHARNAS IN FRONT OF ALL CIRCLE / REGIONAL / DIVISIONAL OFFICES ON 15.12.2011.


- ALL INDIA LEADERS OF CENTRAL JCA WILL SIT ON HUNGER FAST IN FRONT OF DAK BHAWAN ON 26.12.2011.


MAKE THE INDEFINITE STRIKE A GRAND SUCCESS


Dear Comrades,


The meeting of the Central JCA held on 03.12.2011 at New Delhi, have reviewed the post-5th July deferred strike settlement situation and have come to unanimous conclusion that Postal Board has failed to implement the assurances given by the Secretary [Posts] on agreed demands, even after a lapse of four months. Further it is going ahead with the unilateral implementation of the Mail Network Optimization Project [MNOP] in spite of vehement opposition of the Staff Side.


During the discussion with the Secretary [Posts] on 5th July deferred strike demands, it was assured that there will be no closure/merger of Post Offices, other than simultaneous relocation. But orders in this regard are yet to be communicated to the Heads of the Circle. Orders on Sorting Postman need further modification. On GDS issues no favourable orders are issued on any of the items till this date. Payment of Pro-rata wages and absorption of Casual labourers and Part Time contingent employees still remains unsettled, even though it was assured that orders on payment of pro-rata wages to pre-1993 appointees will be issued within a month.


JCM Departmental Council meeting is indefinitely delayed. Cadre-restructuring Committee has not yet finalized its final proposals. Issues relating to Postmen, Mail guard and MTS are still in the negotiating stage and no settlement in sight. Demands of the Circle / Regional Offices administrative staff, Postal Accounts, SBCO and Civil Wing employees are not given serious consideration. In short, abnormal delay is taking place in settlement of the genuine demands raised in the Charter of Demands.


On contrary, even when most of the burning issues of the employees are totally neglected or remains unsettled, the Postal Board is going ahead with implementation of the retrograde recommendations of the McKinsey on Mail Network Optimization Project [MNOP]. In the Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Member [Operations] for reviewing the issues arising out of the implementation of speed post Hubs and proposed L1, L2 in first class mails, the Staff Side representatives have vehemently opposed the implementation of L1, L2 in first class mails as it will adversely affect the efficiency of the services resulting in abnormal delay thereby leading to erosion of public faith on the postal services. Further it will also result in large-scale dislocation / transfer of employees and will adversely affect their promotional prospects. In spite of our objection and disagreement, the Postal Board has made it clear that they are going ahead with the implementation of the MNOP Project.


In the above circumstances, the Staff Side is left with no alternative,, but to revive the postponed strike decision and resort to the agitational path once again. The Central JCA after in depth analysis of the entire situation, have decided to go on indefinite strike from 3rd January, 2012. It was also decided to serve the strike notice on 15.12.2011 and to conduct mass demonstrations / dharnas in front of all Chief PMG / PMG Offices and Divisional Offices on that day. As a second phase of the agitation, the Secretary Generals of NFPE and FNPO and the General Secretaries and CHQ Office Bearers of Federations /All India Unions / Associations of the JCA shall sit on hunger fast in front of Dak Bhawan on 26.12.2011.


The Central JCA calls upon the entirety of the Postal and RMS employees to implement all the above agitational programmes in the true spirit and make the indefinite strike from 3rd January, 2012 a grand success.


If the Postal Board is not ready to come for a result-oriented and time-bound negotiated settlement, the entire Postal and RMS Service should be paralyzed from 03.01.2012.


It is again a struggle for our survival.


It is a struggle of life and death to lakhs of Postal Workers.


Let the Postal,, RMS, Administrative, Postal Accounts, GDS, SBCO and Civil Wing employees come together to stage another glorious indefinite strike.


Fraternally Yours,


Secretary General Secretary General


NFPE FNPO


&


All General Secretaries of NFPE and FNPO


&


General Secretary General Secretary


AIPEDEU NUGDS

Sunday, December 4, 2011

No proposal to declare DA as dearness pay, after DA crosses 50% is under consideration of the Government

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA – MINISTRY OF FINANCE – LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 859 / ANSWERED ON 25.02.2011

DA OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

859 . Smt. P. JAYA PRADA NAHATA
NEERAJ SHEKHAR
YASHVIR SINGH

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has plans to increase dearness allowance effective from January,2011 for Central Government employees with a rate that commensurates with the inflationary trends and plights of working class in the past few months;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore;

(c) whether Government has any proposals to declare DA as Dearness Pay when it will cross 50 per cent, as it was done during the 5th Pay Commission;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not the reasons therefore?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI NAMO NARIAN MEENA)

(a)&fb): Increase in Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees with effect from January, 2011 will be worked out on basis of accepted formula which is based on the recommendation of 6th Central Pay Commission.

(ch(d) &(e): No proposal to declare DA as dearness pay, after DA crosses 50% is under consideration of the Government. The Sixth Pay Commission did not recommend merger of dearness allowance with Basic Pay at any stage. Government accepted this recommendation vide Government of India Resolution dated 29.8.2008.

MANDATORY PUBLICATION OF TENDER ENQUIRIES ON THE CENTRAL PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PORTAL {CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ORDER

NTERPRETATION OF DEPENDENCY CRITERION FOR GRANT OF TWO FAMILY PENSIONS UNDER CCS PENSION) RULES, 1972-REGARDING {CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS}

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS.

Circular No: 23 Dated 03-12-2011

Dear Comrades,

The hard work put in by all concerned paid dividends on 25th November, 2011. There was impressive gathering of all sections of CGEs as also pensioners in the March to Parliament against PFRDA Bill. The rally commenced at 10.00 A.M and went on up to 3.00 P.M. The fog which had disrupted the train services, especially in and around Delhi created difficulties for those who came from distant destinations.

The steering Committee's ambitious objective to have 10 million signatures did not however come about. While Kerala and West Bengal did contribute immensely to the endeavour , in so far as Confederation is concerned the vigour and efforts were not so visible at other places. The target was not at all impossible. The idea was to make the campaign reach the grass root level workers and their friends and relatives. Had it been given a little more importance by our leaders and cadres, the target could have been achieved. The break-up of figures, organisation wise is as under:

AISGEF- 10,64,071, AIRF- 2,37,312, CONFDN.- 3,25,022. TEACHERS- 2,74,123. PENSIONERS, 97,864, AIDEF- 69,020, BSNLEU. 10,180. OTHERS- 1841. TOTAL- 20,79,018.

We enclose herewith the Press statement issued by the Convenor, Steering Committee on 25th. As you know, the Parliamentary Standing Committee had unanimously recommended for specifying a guaranteed minimum Pension to protect the subscribers and employees from the vagaries of equity market. The Cabinet had unfortunately rejected it. The delegation consisting of Com. Sukomal Sen (Sr. Vice President, AiSGEF,) Com. S.K.Vyas, (President, Confederation and Gl Secretary, NCCPA and convenor, Steering Committee) Com. Shivgopal Misra, (AIRF) Com. K.K.N. Kutty. (Secretary General, Confederation) , Com.Rajendran, (Gl, Secretary, STFI) Com. S.N. Pathak, (President. AIDEF) Who met the Prime Minister on 25th had harped on this issue and told the PM that the rejection of the Standing Committee's recommendation to have a guaranteed minimum pension to all subscribers had no tenable basis. This apart, the delegation also pointed out that even while making the pension fund available to private entrepreneurs the USA, Britain and other western countries had protected the subscribers by providing a minimum pension benefit irrespective of what happens to the investment made on behalf of the subscriber. The delegation also brought to the notice of the Prime Minister that the Bhattacharya Committee and the committee set up by the 6th CPC both too had recommended the need to have a provision for a minimum pension guaranteed by the Government, for the Government has the moral and legal responsibility as in the scheme of things the government collects the subscription from the contributors.

The delegation was accompanied by Com.Basudev Acharya, MP and leader of CPI(M) in Lok Sabha and Cpm.Tapan Sen, MP(Gen. Secretary, CITU) Both of them requested the Prime Minister to have a relook into the matter and accept at least those recommendations of the standing committee on which there had been unanimity of opinion amongst different political parties.

While asserting that his Govt. Is not at all against the interest of workers and are bound to protect them, the Prime Minister said that the new pension scheme would be providing better returns to the employees than the defined benefit scheme. When pointed out that if that be the case, as to why not the Govt, make the new scheme optional, the PM said that he will get the contentions made in the petition examined and considered by the Finance Ministry.

The National Council Meeting

The National Council as already intimated will meet at Kochi on 16th December, 2011. The National Secretariat members, the Chief Executive of all affiliates and the State Committee Secretaries of Confederation, the Chairman and Convenor of the Women committee constitute the council. The meeting will be held at the following venue:

GAANAM HOTEL LIMITED

Near Ernakulam Junction

(Ernakulam South Railway Station)

Chittoor Road

KOCHI. 682016

Accommodation has been arranged for 3 days 15th, 16th and 17th December, 2011. The rooms are to be vacated on 17th. All National Council Members are requested to kindly intimate Com.Sasindran or Com.Krishnan whose mobile numbers are given hereunder of the date and time of their arrival and departure:

Com.Sasindran: 09447355334

Com.M.Krishnan: 09447068125

Central TU decides for another one day strikeOn 28th Feb. 2012

The joint committee of Central Trade Unions in the meeting on 24th November, 2011 has proposed to organise a one day's strike on 28th February, 2012 against the neo-liberal policies and in pursuance of the 5 point charter of demands. Both BMS and INTUC have agreed to this proposal and the strike when it takes place will be the largest worker participated strike in the country. The National Council inter alia will deliberate as to how the CGEs could be participants in this great national struggle action.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General