HAPPY NEW YEAY 2009 FOR ALL
AIPEDEU EXTENDS A VERY WARM GREETINGS TO ALL CIRCLE / DIVISIONAL / BRANCH UNIONS /OFFICE BEARERS - ALL MEMBERS ,READERS WELL WISHERS, PATRONS AND EMPLOYEES ON THIS DAY OF HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009.
(S. S. Mahadevaiah)
Editor & Rural Postal Employees Family.
GDS/CHQ/41/1/2009 Dated: 31-12-2008
To,
Com. K. Raghavendran,
Secretary General, NFPE
New Delhi - 110001
Dear Comrade,
Kindly refer to your e mail sent to me regarding indefinite strike. You probably remember that we i.e. the AIPEDEU had waged a glorious three day strike from 17.12.2008 and the NFPE withdrew its support in the midst of the strike taking the plea that the attitude of the Department was positive and satisfactory and there was no need to continue the strike further. You probably remember that it was because of the united force of the G.D.S. employees that the Department held a detailed meeting with us and an agreement was signed. Now that we have proceeded towards a settlement and pulled the chest nut out of the fire, as mentioned in our letter of even No dated 29-12-2008 addressed to Com. K.K.N. Kutty, Secretary General Confederation and copy enclosed to you, the futility of including the same item in your charter of demands is obvious. Why should you or the confederation try to include an issue in your charter of demands which stands settled, is beyond any body's perception. Any strike on this issue will be an attempt to belittle or negate the achievements of the struggle of the G.D.S. employees or even to scuttle the settlement. How can there be a struggle when there has been an agreement even when action for implementation is on? And in this situation the NFPE or the Confederation is no where Justified nor it is within Jurisdiction to include G.D.S. issues in the charter of demands. You will agree that it will not be befitting to claim credit for a matter already settled by the united efforts of the G.D.S. employees.
What amuses us is the sudden change of your heart expressing a no confidence in the intentions of the Secretary department of Posts when free and frank talks have been held and the agreement has not been breached.
We request you to drop the issue relating to the G.D.S. employees from your charter of demands and also advise the Confederation accordingly.
At the present we do not see any reason to disbelieve the intentions of the Secretary Department of Posts or the Hon'ble Minister for Communications & IT. We can consider of any struggle only when the agreement is breached and in that case we shall certainly hit and hit hard; but we on our part, shall not walk out of the agreement by joining your strike with G.D.S issue as one of the items of charter of demands.
If you and the Confederation drop the item of G.D.S from your charter of demands, this Union will certainly support your strike, but we shall not walk out of the agreement without any provocation from the other side.
With New Year greetings,
Yours fraternally,
(S.S. Mahadevaiah)
General Secretary
Copy forwarded to:-
1. Com. K.K.N. Kutty, Secretary General Confederations.
GDS/CHQ/41/1/2008 Dated: 29-12-2008 To, Com. K.K.N. Kutty, Secretary General, Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers, Manishi Nath Bhawan, A-2/95 Subject: - Proposed indefinite strike form 20.01.2009. Dear Comrade, We learn form NFPE Circular No. PF-1(e)/14/2008 dated 17.12.2008. Posted on website on 21.12.2008 that the Confederation has decided to organise indefinite strike with effect from 20.1.2009. Congratulations! But what has amused us is the fact that the demand of Gramin Dak Sevaks is included in the charter of demands (at Sl.13). Comrade, you are aware that the G.D.S. employees waged a heroic and historic strike for three days from 17.12.2008, which was a resounding success. We received support in our struggle from several quarters. A small support from the Confederation–even a call for demonstration–could have given us enormous strength which did not come forward. Now, we have pulled the chest-nut out of fire to a great extent through our sustained struggles. We are surprised if the inclusion of the same in the charter of demands is going actually to serve any purpose solve the issue or will complicate it. We have arrived at a solution with the department of Posts. However, it is to mention that the G.D.S. employees chose to fight in time and with success. With greeting,
Yours fraternally,
(S.S. Mahadevaiah) General Secretary Copy forwarded to: - 1. Secretary General, NFPE: - He may please recall his Circular Posted on website on 18.12.2008 in which he has observed that the approach of the department was satisfactory and there was no compelling reason for a strike to continue. This leave a question about intension in including the issue in the sectional demands of the NFPE will he please clarify? |
सिर्क्लुरे ह्न्धीनीचे वाले लिंक को क्लिक करें हिन्दी सर्कुलर मील जाएगा http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcwj224x_107n53qmrft |
एस एस महादेवाय
जनरल सेक्रेटरी
No. GDS/CHQ/5/1/2008 Dated: 22/12/2008 GDS/CHQ/41/1 /2008 Dated: 22-12-2008 Ms. Radhika Doraiswamy Secretary Department of Posts Dak Bhawan Subject: - Report of the G.D.S. Committee under Sri R.S. Nataraja Murti--affirmative action to end the strike of the Gramin Dak Sevak employees. Madam, On behalf of 2.80 lacs of Gramin Dak Sevaks we sincerely thank you for your affirmative decisions which resulted in the withdrawal of the strike action and restoration of total normaley and tranquillity. It was on account of your positive approach, assisted by the Member (P) and other officers that a sense of inclusion has developed in the Gramin Dak Sevaks and this will certainly go a long way in further improvement of rural postal network, postal service to the rural people, popularising and implementing new products and business. The Gramin Dak Sevaks have traversed a long distance popularising and developing Postal Life Insurance, discharging the responsibilities of NREGS Payments and old age pension. In several states, the G.D.S. employees have undertaken the work of Telephone bills and Electric bills. Now the G.D.S. employees are looking forward to speedy implementation of the decisions and assurances dealt out in the meeting with you on 19.12.2008 held in the background of our discussions with Sri P.K. Gopinath Committee held on 18.12.2008. We on our part would assure you that we shall be working with renewed and redoubled enthusiasm to expand and implement all schemes, products and business. We are inclosing vide annexure to this letter a recapitulation of the discussions and decisions arrived at in the meeting with you which was closely related with the meeting with Sri Gopinath Committee. We once again thank you for your affricative decisions and request you kindly to take speedy action for implementation. With high regards, Yours faithfully, (S.S.Mahadevaiah) General Secretary Enclose: - One Annexure Recapitulation of discussion with and decision by the Secretary Department of Posts in the meeting held on 19.12.2008 in the backdrop of discussions held with Sri Gopinath Committee on 18.12.2008. 1&2. Status of Civil Servants and application of all related rules:- Our contention that in view of the Judicial pronouncements the confirming of status of civil servants is Justified was well received and heard patiently. This was not rejected. We appeal that this may be considered in entirety. 3.4&5 No Curtailment in rural Postal facilities and rejection of impracticable norms, working hours to be BOs to be between 4 to 6 hours:- i) Suggestions of the G.D.S. Committee regarding curtailment of working hours/cldsure of BOs, abolition of posts of G.D.S. Stamp Vendors packers and mailmen and closure/down gradation of E.D. Sub-Post offices will be rejected. ii) Accordingly the suggestions regarding pay and allowances for less than 3 hours of work (upto 3 hours) would be rejected. iii) Suggestion of applying radial distance-measurement and digital map will not be accepted. iv) Suggestion in case of BPMs cash handling of Rs.20,000 will earn one point would be suitably corrected; our suggestion of Rs.4000 for one point will be considered. v) Beat measurement: There will be no change in foot beat measurement presently in vogue. vi) Increase in working hours of BOs/SOs and G.D.S. employees beyond five hours will be considered. 6. (i) Pro-rata Pay-band and Grade-pay with relation to corresponding category of full time departmental employees:- The pay-scales of G.D.S. employees would be proportionate to that of departmental employees. ii) Fitment in new scales:- The fitment formula would be the same as applied in case of departmental staff i.e. basic pay plus 86 percent of basic pay plus 40 percent of the maximum of the pay scale. iii) In case of bunching, weight age for seniority would be given.] iv) No change in D.A. formula. 7. Annual increment will be 3 percent of Pay on the lines of orders in respect of departmental staff. 8. Grant of other allowances:- HRA, Transport allowances such and other allowances will be examined and recommended. 9. Retirement benefits (Pension, gratuity & GPF): This will be examined in entirety. Positive improvements/corrections will be made in the recommendations of the G.D.S. Committee. 10. Productivity linked Bonus:- There will be no change. The same ceiling for all employees will be applied. Some particular issues arising out of demand No. 2 and other items: i) Grant of leave: - Application of leave Rules will be examined. In the meantime carry-forward of available leave will be allowed. ii) Maternity leave: - Steps will be taken to make it similar to the facilities available for departmental women employees. iii) Trade Union facilities: - The negative recommendation of the committee would not be accepted. Steps would be taken to further liberalise the facilities. iv) The recommendations of the G.D.S. Committee on promotion to departmental Posts are uncalled for and will be scraped. v) Grant of ACP will be considered after the government orders on three ACP are issued. vi) Combined allowance: - This will be a temporary measure only and will not be used as a regular measure. vii) Welfare measures: - Suitable improvements will be made to make the measures more meaningful. viii) Advances: - The measures will the improved. |
PLEASE DOWNLOD THE BELOW LINK FOR NEGOTIATION DOCUMENT APPENNED S.S. Mahadevaiah General Secretary |
NEECHE WALE LINK KO KLIK KAREN HINDI CIRCULAR MEEL JAYEGA |
GDS/CHQ/5/2 /2008 Dated: 20-12-2008
To,
All Circle/Divisional/Branch Secretaries/Office bearers &
All Members & activists.
All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union.
Subject: - Indefinite strike – high lights of negotiations.
Dear Comrades,
A meeting of the union representatives consisting of Com. S.S.Mahadevaiah General Secretary; Com. Rambir Singh, Circle President, Delhi Circle and Com. Sajat Kaushik Circle Secretary Delhi Circle with the Postal Administration consisting of the Secretary, Department of Posts; Member (P); Dy. D.G. (Establishment) and Director (SR) was held in evening of 19th December,2008 to discuss the strike issues. The meeting was held in a very congenial and positive atmosphere. Prior to that we had a discussion with Sri Gopinath Committee. Considering the out-come, we decided to call of the strike.
The following are the highlights of the negotiations:
1. Grant of status: - We placed all Judgements of the Supreme Court. They have not rejected our demand.
2. Similar is the position with regard to application of rules.
3. Abolition of Posts: - There will be no abolition/downgradation of Post offices or Posts including E.DS.Os, G.D.S. Packers, G.D.S. Stamp Vendors and G.D.S. Mailmen.
4. Suggestion of Sri Nataraja Murti regarding one point for Rs.20,000 of cash handled will suitably revised. We have demanded that it should be Rs.4000 for one point.
5. Distance measurement:
i) The suggestion of Sri Nataraja Murti for radial distance will be rejected.
ii) Foot beat/Cycle beat: - There will be change in the present system.
6. The recommendation of Sri Nataraja Murti regarding working hours of less than 3 hours or Pay-Scale for less than 3 hours will be rejected.
7. Pay Scale will be pro-rata i.e. proportionate to the pay scale of departmental employees.
8. Increment: - at the rate of 3%.
9. Fitment in the new scale: - The factor of 1.86 will be applied.
10. Bonus: - No change in PLB scheme i.e. the same ceiling as for departmental staff will remain.
11. Retirement benefits: - Accepted in principle. Positive improvement in report of Sri Nataraja Murti assured.
12. D.A.:- The same formula as for departmental staff.
13. Other Allowances: - Accepted in principle to be recommended.
14. Leave positive:-improvement was assured.
15. Applicability of CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, and CCS (CCA) Rules 1965- This will be examined.
16. Trade Union facilities: - The recommendations of Sri Nataraja Murti are against the terms of reference and will not be accepted.
Full Trade Union rights will be examined.
17. The negative recommendation of Sri Nataraja Murti on promotions to departmental Posts are beyond his jurisdiction and will be rejected. Our suggestion regarding reservation of certain percentage of Posts in P.A. Cadre will be examined.
18. Combined allowance:- This will be only in respect of short-term vacancies. Against permanent Posts TRCA will be given.
19. Time bound promotion:- orders for three ACP not yet issued by Govt. Department will examine a proposal later.
20. Advances:- Improvements will be made.
21. Welfare:- Improvements will be made.
We offer our heartiest congratulations for the heroic struggle and steal like unity demonstrated by the entire G.D.S. membership. Hats off comrades!
With fraternal greetings,
Yours fraternally,
Sd/-
(S.S. Mahadevaiah)
General Secretary.
AFTER TALKS WITH D.G. STRIKE IS CALLEDOF. CONGRATULATIONS FOR SUPERB STRUGGLE AND UNITY DETAILS FOLLOW SALUTATION S.S. Mahadevaiah General Secretary. |
Dear Comrade,Congratulations and salutations! The strikehas been a thunderingsuccess.We had a meting with Group of Officers.They gave positive assurance but Department has not come up with written agreement.Strike continues. Please keep the tempo and pressure.Yours fraternally,S.S. MahadevaiahGeneral Secretary. |
To, All Circle/Divisional/Branch Secretaries & Office berarers. All Indefinite Strike starts at 6.00 AM on 17th December 08. Dear Comrades, The Department has refused to accept any of our demands. Nataraja Murti recommends abolition of more than 50,000 Post Offices and abolition of all Posts of ED Packers, E.D. Stamp Vendors and E.D. mail men. This is question of life and death. Organise strike begins with full force as scheduled.Donot listen to any rumours. Some forces will try to sabotage our case. Let us remain alert and united. All members should send fax to Communication Minister, State Communication Minister and M.P. of the area. United we shall win. In any case of doubt contact us on Phone No. 09811577701 or 011-23697701. With militant gretings, Yours fraternally, S.S. Mahadevaiah General Secretary. |
GDS/CHQ/41/1 /2008 Dated: 15-12-2008 To,
Ms,Naina Bakshi, Regional Labour Commissioner (Central), New Delhi – 110001
Sub;- Industrial Dispute Act 1947-Industrial dispute between the management of Department of Posts and their workmen represented by All India Postal Extra Department Employees Union, New Delhi for indefinite strike with effect from 17.12.2008.
Madam,
In our letter dated 10.12.2008 we have given a well founded justification of our demands and pointied our the negativities of the one-man GDS Committee under Sri, R.S.Nataraja Murti and attempts to withdraw/curtail the existing benefits and facilities to the rural population as also the employees. We submitted a copy of our letter to you on 12.12.2008.
The Department also handed over a note to you virtually dismissing our demands by misplacing and twisting the facts. Before we place the records straight, we place on record that the management i.e, the Department of Posts has not held any discussion or negotiation with us which indicates how contemptuously the department treats us and our demands.
Now coming to the demands and justification thereof vis-à-vis the note of the department we place below the facts based on records and judicial pronouncements;
1-2. Status of Gramin Dak-Sevaks and applicability of all rules to the G.D.S. employees;
(i) In their Judgement in Superintendent of Post Offices v. P.K. Rajamma (1977) (3) SCC the Hon'ble Supreme Court ruled that E.D. Agents (as the Gramin Dak Sevaks were being then called) were holders of Civil Post under the state though out side the regular Civil services (Pare 40-41 of our letter) (ii) In their judgement in sub-Divisional Inspector Posts v. Theyyam Joseph(1996) 8 SCC 489 the Hon'ble Supreme Court ruled:
(iii) 'It is now settled law (sic) of this Court that these employees are Civil servants regulated by these rules" (Pare 46 of our letter)
(iv) In their judgment in Chet Ram v.Jit Singh, JT 2008 (12)SC 1 the Hon'ble Supreme Court have ruled that "The Extra Departmental Agents are Government servants holding Civil Posts and are entited to the protection of Article 311 (2) of the constitution (Para 12.3). (Pare 58 of our letter)
(v) In Para 9.1 of the same judgement the Court has observed. "The said Rules were framed in terms of Article 309 of the constitution of India . The terms and conditions of employment of Gramin Dak Sevaks are governed by statutory rules".(Pare 54 of our letter)
Thus on the basis of the above three judgments of the highest Court of the land it is amply clear that the Gramin Dak Sevaks, though they are not full time employees, are Central Civil Servants.
And hence we have demanded that the status of Civil Servants be bestowed on us as Central Civil Servants (not full time). This is justified on rulings of the highest to Court, and accordingly our demand for application of all rules is fully justified. The department should not have any difficulty in agreeing to these demands.
3.1. The facts have been twisted or concealed. In Para 7.8.1 Sri Nataraja Murti says that 54652 Post Offices are within 3 KM of each other he suggests that 27326 Post Offices could be re allocated while satisfying distance conditions and he means that remaining 27326 could out right be closed. Does it not mean withdrawal of facilities?
And for distance Mr, Nataraja Murti suggests in para 7.8.3 that NOT ACTUAL DISTANCE BY ROAD. but radial distance should be taken. How impractical and impossible the suggestions!
It is any body's guess that franchise system does not amount to full scale P.O. and this is open withdrawal of facilities.
Thus the recommendation is for abolition of several thousands of Post Offices and rendering still more thousands of GDS employees jobless.
In Para 5.15 Sri, Nataraja Murti recommends virtual abolition of Posts of E.D. Stamp Vendors, in Para 5.20 he recommends abolition of Posts of E.D. Packers, in Para 5.22 he recommends abolition of Posts of E.D. Mailmen, in Para 6.11 he recommends abolition or downgradation of EDSO's. These are clear instances of withdrawal/Curtailment of facilities, abolition of Posts and rendering people jobless.
Thus it is not correct to say that Sri, Nataraja Murti has not recommended any curtailment/withdrawal of facilities/benefits.
3.2.
We would mention that the following business/products have been undertaken by the Branch Post Offices.
These services/products have added very hugely to the revenue and work. All work taken together the time goes upto six hours or even more.
Therefore our simple demand is that where time factor justifies Branch Post Offices should be kept open for 6 hours or taking work for six hours and paying for lesser hours amounts to exploitation. Sri Nataraja Murti suggests work hours less than 3 hours against minimum of existing 3 hours.
Our demand is well founded and has to be accepted on basis of justification.
4. Working hours of E.D.S.O's: It is not correct to say that EDSO's donot provide any special services. As a matter of fact an EDSO provides all services that a departmental S.O. does. Only it is kept open for lesser hours i.e, for five hours.
Our simple demand is that E.D.S.O's where the work justifies should be kept open even for seven hours. We donot find that the department should have any difficulty in accepting this justified demand.
5. Duties of all outdoor GDS Staff should be for 5 to 7 hours: A reference is invited to Para 7.6 of the report of Sri, Nataraja Murti where it is shown that the over all area served by a P.O. is 21.2 Sq KM. what time it takes a postman i.e, EDDA or an ED Mail carrier to cover the distance? How can it be possible within less than 3 hours going on delivering mails or exchanging mails? A practical view has got to be taken. In J.K. the area is 131.4 Sq KM, in N.E it is 60.2 Sq KM, Rajastan it is 33 Sq KM, M.P. it is 37 Sq KM and Jharkhand it is 23.9 KM, Is it humanly possible to cover the area within less than 5 or even 7 hours?.
E.D Stamp Vendors, ED Mailmen and ED Packers virtually work for whole day.
Hence our demand for the time is based on statistics furnished by Sri Nataraja Murti himself.
6. Prescribing Pay bands:-
It is not correct to say that the scales suggested by Sri Nataraja Murti correspond to the scales of mail over seer, Postmen and group 'D'.
The Mail overseer now is in the old scale of Rs. 4000-6000 and the minimum Pay of the same in the table prescribed in connection with 6th C.P.C. is 9840. Hence for 3 hours for BPM the minimum would be Rs 3690 and for 4 hours it would be 4940 and for five hours it would be Rs 6150.
Thus the scale suggested by Sri Nataraja Murti does not have in the least any relation with the scales of overseer mails. Similarly the scale of Postman is in old scale of Rs 3200-4900. The minimum of this in the lable is 8060 and thus the minimum for 3 hours would be Rs 3022, for 4 hours Rs 4030 and for 5 hours Rs 5038. The scales suggested by Sri, Nataraja Murti are no where near these.
Yes let the department fix the pay bands for BPMs/EDSPM, EDDA/ED Stamp Vendors and EDDMC's etc with reference to the scales suggested by the 6th CPC FOR Mail over seers, Postmen and Group 'D'.
But the scales suggested by Sri, Nataraja Murti are arbitrary and without any foundation or base.
Hence our demand for Pay bands and grade Pay pro-rata to the Pay-band and grade Pay for respective whole time counter parts is well founded and the Department should have no hesitation in accepting the same.
This demand has legal base and thus has full justification for acceptance.
9. Retirement benefits:
It is not correct to say that Sri Nataraja Murti has recommended a new scheme of discharge benefits. In Para 14.13.6, 14.13.7 and 14.14. Sri Natara Murti has suggested a new scheme by right hand and taken away the existing one by left hand. He has suggested withdrawal of the severance amount and hence nothing has been given.
As explained against demand 1-2 above, since GDS employees are Central Civil Servants they are entitled to Pro-rata retirement benefits in full. This demand is thus totally justified.
10. Productivity linked bonus: The GDS employees all along during the last 10-15 years have been on same footing and subject to the same ceiling for payment of bonus. Sri, Nataraja Murti arbitrarily and against the existing PLB formula suggests cutting down the same to 50% of the ceiling fixed for the lowest category of departmental employees. This is totally unjustified, arbitary and unacceptable.
This is an attempt to withdraw the existing benefit. Our demand for status quo is fully justified which is as per existing formula.
Thus you may kindly see that the demands are fully justified and have solid foundation.
The said improvements outlined in the note of the department are trivial and marginal and donot cut any ice. We are for basic improvements.
You may kindly prevail upon the administration to accept the demands in writing to facilitate withdrawal of the strike.
With regards,
Yours faithfully,
S.S. Mahadevaiah, General Secretary. |