No.GDS/CHQ/5/1/2009 Dated: 21/12/2009 To
All Circle/Divisional/Branch Secretaries,
All CWC Members All India Postal GDS Employees Union
Dear Comrades,
The year 2009 is coming to close and a new year of hope and aspirations is knocking at the door. The year 2009 has been a year of many fateful events gobally, nationally and organizationally. This is time for every one especially, the workers, employees and all wage corners, whether in organised or unorganized sector to give a serious thought to the developments. It is an irony that while the number of billionaires has gone up, the number of people going to bed with empty stomach has also increged continuously. The various reports that have come form different international institutions point out that all is not well with the "aam admi". The Gramin Dak Sevaks being at the lowest level of employees certainly find the going very tough. It does not require to be explained that with prices of food materials having gone up beyond the reach of Common man—pulses being sold at the rate of about Rs.100 per K.G. and vegitable being too hot—a balanced diet has become too big a thing.
Organisationally, we have faced a big onslaught. The orders on revised pay and allowances based on the recommendations of Nataraja Murti Committee have come after abnormal delay. We strained each nerve and left no stones unturned to secure justifiable modifications in the recommendations, based on established principles. But every attempt, every cry of justice fell on the deaf years of the powers-that-be. Probably, this was one of the rare times when we faced such a callous approach. Reasons are many and probably the members are a ware of them.
Several existing benefits—departure from linking the pay and allowances of the Gramin Dak Sevaks with those of the departmental employees and slicing down the bonus ceiling, to name a few have been snatched. The nominal trade union facilities grant of leave without allowances to the union functionaries—have been withdrawn. There is sufficient scope for improvements in the orders issued and we have been and are consistently pursuing the same but so far effective steps do not appear to have been taken.
During our struggles we had quite a few sweet and sower experiences. We do not wish to go into the details. There have been attempts to subvert our unity and solidarity.
Despite all these odds, the organization, our unity and our commitment has emerged stronger and we have been marching ahead. We must congratulate the entire membership, the circle level and lower level leaders and activists and grass—root workers who are the foundation stone of the our citadel for their unflinching courage, Commitment to the cause and confidence in the organisation. We salute you all.
Comrades, we believe and you will agree that we need to do a bit more to strengthen our selves. The following are the few, we need to take steps for, immediately.
Union Building: An organisation like ours must have our own union building with certain facilities like rest rooms for comrades who visit Delhi, a conference room where small meetings like CWC can be held. We agree that this is a tremendous task but not impossible for us. It also can not be denied that this task can not be achieved with the funds available with us. We also agree that there must be a larger trust like body to look after the entire affairs, which we shall certainly form in the next All India Conference. It is why we had made a request in our last bulletin for a special donation. The response is very meager.
We repeat our request and call upon all our Divisional/Branch Secretaries to raise a special donation at the rate of Rs.100/- per member with list of contributing members so that we may publish the list in our union Journal.
Legal Recourse: There are certain issues like the question of status, bonus ceiling and retirement benefits on which we are called upon to take to legal recourse. We are seriously counterplating such action. We are in the process of consultation with legal expert. We propose to place the blue print in our next A.I.C.
Larger Unity: We are of considered view that in order to achieve justice for the Gramin Dak Sevaks we need support and cooperation of the entire working people and the Gramin (rural) People whom we serve. Let us strike for forging a abroad based unity not of the Postal employees only but of the working class unity at a larger landscape and there is no reason that our demands are not recognised and considered.
Quota: The session is fast coming to a close and the quota to the CHQ is not satisfactory. We call upon all Divisional/Branch Secretaries to promptly clear the quota.
Social Security Scheme: The proposal for social security scheme for the G.D.S. employees is under consideration of the government. It, this comes through, this will be the first step—though a little step—towards grant of Pension. We shall be furnishing more details of the scheme in our next bulletin.
New Year to Come: Comrades, we look forward to the new year with hope that a better prospect, recognistion and appreciation of the Gramin Dak Sevaks will dawn with the new year. We hope that the during the new year our organisation and solidarity will scale new hight and the powers—that—be will be made to have a better appreciation of our cause.
We wish all our members in particular and all employees and workers in general a very happy bright and prosperous new year,2010. We take a resolve to serve our masters the people—will still better zeal and promptitude. our best wishes to one and all.
With very affectionate and warm greetings,