You are aware that P & T
Trade Union movement originated from the Postal Club of Kolkatta GPO since 1905
could be recognized as National Federation of Post and Telecom Employees
(NFPTE) on 24th November, 1954 with merger of all the existing
unions at that time. But unfortunately with the patronage of the then ruling
parties, i.e. Congress in 1968 and Janata Party in 1978, FNPO and BPEF were
formed on 21.09.1968 and 17.11.1978 respectively and most of the disgruntled
elements joined the rival unions. So Federation in real sense in the Department
of Posts is National Federation of Post and Telecom Employees only. After
bifurcation of the Department of Posts & Telecom to Department of Posts and
Department of Telecom, NFPTE was also bifurcated to National Federation of
Postal Employees (NFPE) and National Federation of Telecom Employees (NFPE)
during the Federal Council held at Calcutta from 17th to 21st
March, 1986.
During the last 65 years of
its existence, NFPTE (32 years from 1954 to 1986) / NFPE (33 years from 1986 to
2019 till date) has fought many battles for the benefit of working class in
general and P & T employees in particular proving itself as a class
oriented militant organization. But organizations formed intentionally to
weaken the movement of NFPTE / NFPE could not halt its onward march. Whatever
benefits now we all are enjoying as Central Govt. employees are the outcome of
the continuous struggle of NFPTE/NFPE and thus as a common member of NFPE we
have every reason to feel proud. Everybody knows it. But few to satisfy their vested
interests are going against the main stream. NFPE has a magnetic charisma and
the people who are distracted from it are having iron deficiency in their thoughts.
Now, when we have been grossly
deceived by the Govt. and our hard-earned benefits are being snatched away one
by one, we should know the struggles and sacrifices made by this biggest Union of
the largest Postal Network of the World not only for the welfare of the
employees and workers but for the freedom movement of India and welfare of this
subcontinent. We can’t sit silent when the basic rights of the workers are
being snatched away without social security in the name of reformation.
We are trying to give some
briefs for everybody’s reference.
Sincere request to kindly go through
the contents deeply with every seriousness so that you can raise your voice
correctly for the cause of the employees, workers and nation as well.
Hope, after knowing the
struggles and sacrifices, you can tell others proudly to join NFPE which is the
only and ultimate shelter for the postal employees.
= Bruhaspati Samal =
Circle Secretary
AIPEU, Group-C, Odisha
Chairman, NFPE, Odisha State
CoC &
Leader, RJCM (Staff Side),
Odisha
Postal Service - An Introduction
The Postal System in India was first introduced by
Lord Clive in 1756 for official communication only. Bags used to be sent to the
District Magistrates and Collectors. The first Post Office was opened in
Calcutta during 1774, for sending communication by private persons. Postal
Committee of 1852 recommended the introduction of postage stamps and also
dropped the practice of charging the articles according to distance. During
October, 1854 the postage stamp was introduced for use in Post offices, (i.e)
quarter anna postcard and half anna envelope.
The
Railway system was first started in 1853 and thereafter expanded its linkage to
all big Cities. Along with Railways, the Postal system was also expanded. Telegraph
system was introduced in 1853.
Emerging Trade
Unions
T. U. consciousness in India
had first grown during the later half of 19th Century, amongst the textile
workers of Bombay and Nagpur. The total strike observed by the workers of
Empress Mill Nagpur in 1877 over wage rate was the first working class struggle
in the country. Between 1882 and 1890 about 25 strikes took place in Madras
& Bombay Presidencies. During 1905 to 1909 there were continuous strikes in
Bombay textile mills as well as other factories due to economic distress, ever
rising cost of living, without corresponding increase in wages to the workers
and the economic crisis caused due to imports from Manchester, Sheffield which
created the total down fall of textile mills and also created unemployment. T. U.
consciousness was emerging in the country in the back ground of many workers
struggle throughout the world.. The amalgamated society of Railway workers of
India and Burma which was formed in 1897 by Anglo Indians and domiciled
Europeans had also contributed in developing T. U. consciousness among the
Govt. employees and workers.
Beginning of P &
T Movement
The discontentment was growing
amongst the P & T employees over their service conditions and ill
treatment. During 1880, there was a sporadic strike by Postmen of Poona, over
some grievances. The Strikers were helped to a great extent by Late Bal
Gangadhar Tilak. Between 1886 to 1988 discontent was also simmering amongst the
Postal and RMS employees due to the un-hygienic working conditions, hard work,
low wages, oven like RMS Vans, long and inconvenient hours of work and
tyrannical discipline etc. as per the report published in Amrit Bazar Patrika
dated 4th March, 1886.
Postal club
incognito Trade Union
In 1905 the Postal Club was
formed at 18. Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Calcutta 13 incognito to the Trade Union
movement under the Leadership of Late Babu Tarapada Mukherji who entered the
service on 01.02.1895 as a postal employee. After the recognition of Postal
Club, it was organized 150 employees and started sending memorials to the
Government. The Presidency Postmaster called the Secretary Com. Ashwini Kumar
and told him' Look here, Aswini, if you do not give up your Secretaryship, I
will transfer you to Port Blair. He replied "I will carry my banner of the
union there too." One B. L. Advocate Sril Nirmal Sen Gupta had joined the
Postal Club and his oratory and penmanship attracted
everybody. Bombay Postal Club was also formed in 1905 but it had
started its working in 1907, which also carried only the Trade union
activities. Postal League of Dacca was first started in 1909 by
Sarat Chandra Sen. He prepared many memorials and posted to all over India
which had the impact of organizing T.U. activities through out the nation.
Resultantly, the PMG had threatened him to desist his activities or he will
arrest him. But he never cared. Then he was transferred to Imphal and had
worked till 1912. At the time of Bengal Bifurcation, he was again sent back to
Dacca.
10 Days Strike In
1908 - Com. Henry Barton, the Pioneer.
Mr. Henry Barton, himself a
telegraphist, working in Burma, started focussing attention of the authorities
on the grievances of telegraph workers through the columns of various news
papers under a psendonym. In 1906 he started a Magazine called as Telegraph
Recorder in name of a Chinese Gentleman. For the trade Union activities and for
the publication of 'Telegraph Recorder', Com. Henry Barton was suspended from
service. He was proceeded for the publication of the journal. But the Chineese
gentlemen had accepted his authorship and pleaded for Com. Henry Barton.
However the Department had transferred him from Burma to Berhampur (Orissa). He
had availed two years leave and finally established the Indian Telegraph
Association in 1908 with the head quarters at Calcutta and launched the first
strike of telegraphists which lasted for 10 days. This successful strike had
resulted in the revision of salaries to the telegraphists and defacto
recognition ensured by the method of collective bargaining. Postal signallers
who had worked in the place of telegraphists during the strike did not get the
benefits. After the Strike, Com. Henry Barton was dismissed from the service
and he become the full time worker of 'Indian Telegraph Association'.
Merger of Postal of Telecom & its first
achievement
During 1912, the Government has consolidated the
Postal & Telecom and brought under one Department and under the control of
D. G P&T. Therefore Com. Henry Barton, Sen Gupta & Babu Tarapada joined
together and led the mass of the P&T Workers. During the first world war
(1914 to 1918), their united movement has brought the Dearness Allowance first
to Govt. employees as Rs.3/- & Rs.5/-in the name of grain allowance.
145 days Bombay
Strike in 1920
The Russion Revolution in 1917
has created a new atmosphere and the working class movement had emerged with a
new spirit throughout the world. It had its impact in India also. During post
war period since 1918 onwards there were series of working class strikes in the
country and the discontent was due to post war expenditure made the life
miserable and intolerable. The Postal employees are not in exemption but they
were in the forefront of working class struggle.
On 16th March 1918 Bombay City
Postmen Union was formed due to the efforts of Shri. V. G. Dalvi. Bar-at-law
and he was the first Secretary. The Postmen of Bombay City conducted a glorious
strike in September 1920 which lasted for 145 days. The telegraph messengers
had also joined the strike later. Ultimately discussions were held with the
Presidency Postmaster and Chief Supdt. of Central Telegraph office Bombay and
an agreement was reached resulting in redressal of many grievances of the
Postmen. The Postmen Union, thereafter was formed at Poona, Ahemedabad and
other places. Ultimately the Bombay Presidency Postmen and Lower Grade staff
Union had been formed and it carried the T.U. activities.
Bihar Dhoti Strike
The Postal Clerk was paid
Rs.20/- only as pay in the year 1916. Most of the officials were retired with
the maximum of Rs.30/- or Rs.40/- atmost. Their repeated representations
yielded with no results. The staff of Muzzaffarpur H.O. had decided to come in
Dhoti for duty from 2/2/1919 to record the protest and anger. It spread to
other cities in Bihar. The Viceroy had no other alternative except to announce
an increase of Rs.10/- per head and the Dhoti agitation had ended in 4 or 5
days with successful results.
Formation of Postal
Union & others from 1920 to 1932
The All India Post office and
R.M.S union was formed in the year 1920 under the Leadership of Babu Tarapada
Mukherji. During the post war period on account of the mounting pressure of the
workers, the Government had appointed a Telegraph Enquiry committee and a
separate committee for Postal Employees under the Chairmanship of Mr. H. H.
Haseltine C.I.E. Mr. Barton was nominated as a member of the Telegraph Enquiry
Committee. But in the Postal committee, no union representative was nominated
and particularly, they denied the right to Babu Tarapada Mukherjee, being
nominated as the member of the committee.
Based
on the recommendations of these committees, time scale of pay was introduced in
the place of grade system in the year 1927. As the report was unsatisfactory,
there were serious protests among the Postal employees. Babu Tarapada demanded
that pay of the clerk should be enhanced from Rs.60/- to Rs.200/- and end the
discrimination to the staff working in R.M.S. & D.L.O as the benefit of pay
revision was not extended to them. A separate R. M.S. Union was then formed at
Gorakhpur and one more union named as "The Association of Town Inspectors
and Inspector of Post Offices' also sprang up during 1926-27 to project their
cadre interest. Between 1920 to 1932 some more unions were formed. The Circle
Offices Staff Association was recognized by the Government in April 1930. Thus
from 2 unions in 1920, it mounted to 20 by 1930. But the degree of unionization
increased consistently from 19% in 1920 to 43.75% in 1932. This rise and fall
in the P & T Trade Union movement during this period was due to the fact
that the entire movement was in the hands of few leaders & mass
of the workers were not properly trained on Trade Union lines.
Babu Tarapada demise
- A blow to P & T movement
Babu Tarapada had gone to
Simla to discuss about the selection grade problems in clerical cadre. A bogus
telegram was issued in the name of Profulla (his nephew) that "Biren
attacked with small fox. Come immediately," Biren way his elder son.
Tarapada returned only after discussion of the issue. Babu Tarapada died on
20.09.1929 which gave a blow to the P&T movement. Com. N. C. Sengupta was
elected as General Secretary and thereafter he led the movement.
In
1931, Government has decided upon the policy of retrenchment and decided 10%
cut in salaries. This could not be resisted effectively due to splinter groups
of unions which had not come together to launch any struggle. This stalmate was
continued upto 1934, In 1934 the Government appointed the Postal Enquiry
Committee known as Pasricha Committee which recommended new scales of pay from
July 31, 1934.
1939 to 1946 - 3
week Postmen strike
During 1939 to 1945, no
significant movement took place due the Second World War. But the movement
under went a qualitative change. The membership in this year touched a new
height of 51%. The discontentment amongst the employees increased by leaps and
bounds as the Government did not implement the adjudicator's award (Justice Rajadhakaya).
All these resulted in Postmen strike of 1946. This was also joined by A. I.
Postal and R.M.S. Employees Union. This was called off after three weeks when
the agreement was signed. As a result of implementation of the award, the P
& T Employees were paid 15% of pay (i.e) Rs.3.75 as Grain Compensation
Allowance and Good Conduct Pay was raised to Rs.10/-. This strike also shook
the Government completely and to some extent helped the independence struggle
of the country.
1947 to 1954
With the dawn of Independence
the T.U. movement gained further momentum and U P T W (Union of P & T
workers) was formed on 13th August 1947 by merger of All India Postal & RMS
Union, the Indian P&T Union led by Com. M. A. Jabbar and the Indian
Telegraph Association led by Dr. G. Noronha. The major union of the All India
Postmen & L. G. Staff union (lead by com. G. Dalvi) however kept out. The
membership swelled from 61% in 1947 to 67% in 1950. On the eve of Independence,
1st pay commission was appointed to set down some principles for wage
determination and rationalization of pay scales. The recommendations of First
pay commission acquired national significance as it replaced regional scales.
Within 2 years of the acceptance of recommendation of the 1st pay commission
Report, a dispute arose on the question of Dearness allowance as the Government
refused to implement the recommendations of the Commission. The threat of
strike in 1949 and later in 1951 brought some adhoc relief. The threatened
strike of 1949 had resulted in long term imprisonment of Com. O. P. Gupta, then
General Secretary U P T W and other leading comrades all over the country. Com.
Khushal Singh, Postmen, Com. Janak Gupta T. O. and a few others were dismissed
in the year 1949.
Realignment and
Formation of NFPTE
The question of the
Realignment of all the existing P&T Unions was mooted as early as 1948 and
was even discussed in a conference. Again in 1952 the issue came to the fore
but agreement was not arrived at. In 1954 a scheme of Realignment was
circulated to elicit opinion from all those concerned. The Govt. approved
scheme for the realignment of Unions in full was released through a special
circular by the then Director General, Posts and Telegraphs Shri. H. L. Jerath
(No. SPA- 351/20/47 dt. 2nd July, 1954)
The scheme envisaged nine All
India Unions (for the Class - IV and allied cadres - 4 for the class III and
allied cadre-4, one for the Class III and Class IV cadres). The unions will be
formed section wise i.e. Postal, RMS Engineering and Traffic (two in each one
for Class III and another for Class IV) and in the Administrative Offices the
service Association will represent both the Class III and Class IV cadre. The
nine unions will be federated as a body. These are the technical aspects.
The
welcome feature was the right of sole representation of the P&T employees
was vested with the Federation of these nine Unions. The special features are
the nine unions will be compulsorily affiliated to the Federation and the
Federation has also no right to expel its affiliates. The All India Unions will
however, be autonomous so far as the questions relating only to its members are
concerned. The All India Unions will also be separately recognized by the
Government. The membership enrolment be through the respective All India Unions
only.
After
the coming into being of the Federation those unions/Associations which do not
join the scheme of Realignment and opt for retaining their distinct recognition
as a different body will not have the right to enroll any new members. They
will be permitted to retain their original membership.
This
scheme was accepted by the Unions of P&T Workers, All India P.M. & L.G.
Staff Union, All India Postal & RMS Union, Telegraph Workmen's Union,
Telegraph & Telephone Engineering Union and Telegraph Line Staff Union.
The
Union which accepted the scheme established the All India Ad-hoc Committee of
the respective unions (9) and issued instructions in September 1954 for implementing
the scheme. The time schedule for holding the All India Conferences in 7-10
November, 1954 at Delhi was also drawn up. The joint session of the Nine All
India unions were held at Vinaynagar New Delhi at 6 PM on Sunday the 24th
November 1954. The nine All India conferences held their open sessions on the
22nd November, 1954 and continued up to 24th November 1954. The Federal
Councilors of the nine All Indian Unions (realigned) who met at 4.30 P.M. on
24th November. 1954 adopted a resolution which stated inter alia that the
National Federation of P&T Employees is established on this day the 24th
November, 1954.
The
elections were held in the most democratic manner. Contests did take place for
the important posts including that of the Secretary General. Decision on crucial
issues were taken at different levels and stages by the representatives and in
appropriate forums.
Since
1954 the NFPTE has chequered history and a glorious record of services to the
membership and the Central Government Employees movement.
1957 Strike Call Led
To Setting Up of Second Pay Commission
The economic conditions
drifted from bad to worst and the inflation has hit the employees
worse. The NFPTE therefore demanded for setting up of a Second Pay
Commission and immediate grant of interim Relief and served strike notice in August
1957. The other organizations of Central Government employees under the aegis
of Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers also gave the
strike notices. This has resulted the Government in announcement of appointment
of 2nd Pay Commission.
July 1960 Strike
The report of the Second Pay
Commission caused deep disappointment and resentment amongst the employees. The
norms of D.A. were slashed. Need based minimum wage as per the norms of 15th
I.L.C. was denied on the plea of flexibility pay scales. The employees were
depressed due to incremental rates which were either not improved or in some
cases reduced. These retrograde recommendations of Second Pay Commission led to
5 days strike in Central Government Employees from 12th July 1960 spearheaded
by NFPTE. The Government let loose a reign of terror and adopted severe
repressive measures. Thousands of workers all over the country were arrested,
suspended, removed from service and faced trials in the courts of law. 17780
P&T employees were arrested and put behind the bar. NFPTE was
derecognized, which was subsequently restored in 1962. But in spite of
de-recognition, NFPTE continued to function and all the disabilities of 1960
strike were got nullified and none amongst the rank of NFPTE remained out of
job.
Appointment of Das
Body & Gajendragadkar Commission on D.A. Issue
The employees were unable to
accept the dying wage. The D.A. issue remained the main focal point of dispute.
The Chinese aggression in 1962 and Pakistan aggression in 1965 delayed the
settlement of the genuine issues of Government employees. However Government
has appointed Das Body for consideration of D.A. in 1964. It had recommended to
grant additional D.A. and also to revise the D.A. formula but the Government
rejected its recommendations. The Government through mass pressure was again
compelled to appoint another commission headed by justice P. B. Gajendragadkar
in 1967. This commission as well as National Commission on labour recommended
the appointment of 3rd pay commission. But this was not done.
Introduction of the
Scheme of Joint Consultative Machinery and compulsory arbitration scheme
The 1960 glorious strike
although failed but it forced the Government to concede many demands bit by bit
later on. The Government in its anxiety to avert such catastrophe conceived the
scheme of Joint Consultation and Arbitration Scheme in 1963. The scheme was
finally accepted by the recognized unions in the year 1966 after seeking
improvements in the scheme. The important feature got introduced in the scheme
was that no new union in any department would be recognized where a union
representing all the categories of staff broadly and adequately existed.
1968 Strike
Under the leadership of NFPTE,
the P & T workers acquired lot of gains and settled many of their long
standing demands. The maximum settlement was reached in the year 1967. In 1968,
the Staff side National Council of JCM raised the demand for need based minimum
wage according to 15th I.L.C. norms. The Government refused to settle it and
therefore a disagreement was signed. The Government thereafter refused to refer
the demand to Board of Arbitration under the Scheme. This compelled the Central
Government Employees to go on one day token strike on 19.09.68. In P & T,
the strike was massive and very wide spread. The Government has adopted the
same repressive measures, like mass scale arrests, termination, suspension and
de-recognition of Unions. There was human loss of strikers who had been shot by
the police. Several leaders were arrested and put behind the bar. There was
heavy victimizations throughout the nation. The NFPTE was derecognized
immediately. The NFPTE could be recognized again in 1970 only through court
order.
Formation of Rival
Unions
In the wake of one day token
strike and de-recognition of NFPTE w.e.f. 21.09.68, the P & T Department
gave recognition to a rival federation on paper without membership throwing
overboard all the norms of recognition of unions and unilaterally breaking the
realignment scheme. The FNPO was formed and extended all patronage by the
ruling Congress Government then.
Most
of the disgruntled elements joined the rival unions. Lately the Janata
Government has given recognition to a third Federation based on political
consideration against the avowed principle of one union in one Industry as
outlined in the manifesto of Janata Party. Thus the Bhartiya Postal Federation
was formed on 17.11.78.
Historic & Glorious Strike of P4 - 19.09.1984
The P4 Union under the
leadership of Com. Adinarayana had called upon one day token strike on
19.09.1994 exclusively for the ED demands. Even though the strike was a great
and historic success, the non participation of other wings under NFPTE and the
role of the Federation has raised several debates aftermath of the strike.
However, this strike has revived the strength of the movement and cut the ice
in the long silence of strike action since 1968 in the P&T movement.
Bifurcation of
P&T and Formation of NFPE
The bifurcation of the P&T
Department took place on 1.1.1985. Resultantly, there was no alternative except
to bifurcate the NFPTE also and accordingly by in the 18th Federal council of
NFPTE held at Kolkata from 17.03.86 to 21.03.86, the separate federation for
Postal Unions was formed under the name of 'National Federation of
Postal Employees’. Com. N. J. Iyer, Com. K. L. Moza and Com. Des Raj Sharma
were duly elected as the first President. Secretary General, and Treasurer
respectively for the newly formed 'NFPE. Com. Adinarayana was elected as Deputy
Secretary General of the Federation.
Even
though an arrangement to continue the NFPTE as the coordinating body for Postal
& Telecom was decided in the council, it was not implemented whole heartedly
after the bifurcation. NFPE is nothing but the replica of NFPTE.
First Attack on RMS
During the period between
1982-85, Sorting work in running trains in Railway Mail Service in about 285
sections all over India was abolished. This has rendered surplus of nearly 4500
posts of sorting Assistants and about 3000 van peons (Group D). Night sets have
been abolished at many places.
Jabalpur
conference of R3 union decided to organize one day token strike which took
place on 06.06.1985 for the exclusive demands of R3.
Participation of
mass movement
Dharwar Federal Council held
in 1992 has resolved to join all the workers movement of the nation whenever
the mass platform organization called upon for direct action. Since then, the
NFPE is involving its all cadres for all such programmes.
Local Struggles
The NFPTE & NFPE being the
mass movement have already encouraged the local struggles and extended its
support to the local agitations. Few examples of local struggles are furnished
just for information.
1. 5000 Postmen of Bombay city struck work from
01.06.92 to protest against the combination of beats and curtailment of
deliveries. NFPE intervened on 04.06.92. The Chief PMG was forced to sit with
the Circle union leaders and agreement was signed to keep all the orders under
abeyance and there was no victimization for the participation of the strike.
2. The Postmen of Chandigarh and Ludhiana conducted
total strike from 01.06.92 to 07.06.92 to protest against the curtailment of
deliveries and combination of beats. The strike was called off on 07.06.02
after holding a special meeting with the circle union leaders where all the
orders were kept under abeyance and there was no victimization.
3. Glorious Strike of Kerala: Against abolition of
Mail offices and change in the pattern of sorting in the shape of outward and
inward, the RMS employees of Kerala Circle started strike from 08.06.92. the
Strike started from Changanacherry which was spread to the entire circle
including post offices. The entire state was paralyzed. The authorities efforts
to shift the RMS work to Post offices was effectively resisted and defeated.
The strike was called off on 18.06.92 after an agreement with Circle union
leaders was reached.
4. Against abolition of 56 posts of Postmen &
their redeployment, New Delhi GPO & New Delhi Central Division have served
strike notice on 07.11.94 and complained to Regional Labour Commissioner. Other
division had also served strike notice on 26.11.94.
5. North East Region: - The officials working in Telecom
& 34 others Departments of C. G. were drawing the special Duty Allowance
and only in the postal it was denied. The Department of Posts appealed against
the CAT, Guwahati decision allowing SDA to all C. G. Employees working in the
region and obtained a stay order. In case of other Departments, either stay was
not granted or the Departments did not appeal. This has resulted a total strike
from 02.06.91 to 08.06.91 in the region.
The
Federations advised the Circle unions of North East regions to suspend the
agitation in view of the general elections and make it as one of the demand in
the proposed All India Strike to be held from 15.07.01. Accordingly, the circle
unions called off the strike on 09.06.91.
Thereafter,
as there was no improvement in the demand, the Circle unions of Assam &
North East Region went on Strike for 38 days from 15.11.91 to 22.12.91. This
was called off on 22.12.91 after reaching the agreement on the following.
(i) No
victimization
(ii) Pay
advance to all & will be adjusted in three monthly installments
(iii) Strike
period will be adjusted against EL.
The Government assured
that the issue will be resolved at the earliest. Hon'ble Supreme Court delivered
its judgment on 20.09.94 setting aside the judgment of the Guwahati of Cuttack
CAT. Two sitting judges Hon Kuldeep Singh & V. D. L. H. while setting aside
the judgment however granted no recovery from the officials who have been paid
the SDA. This causes another kind of discrimination between Postal &
Telecom in the same Ministry.
The
comrades of Assam & NE again went on one day token strike again on 19.02.95
and there was heavy victimization. Several Rule 37 transfers were ordered. Leaders
were punished on flimsy reasons.
However
the issue was settled only after the implementation of Sixth CPC. Our CHQ had a
role in demanding SDA to Postal Employees of the region through our memorandum
and also in oral evidence.
6. Tamilnadu: - While the Government has caused
orders to treat the Bonus strike period as eligible leave to regular employees,
the ED employees were denied and depressed. The P3 circle union of Tamilnadu
Circle in order to register protest over the arbitrary treatment to EDAS has
conducted one day to the strike on 30.04.1995 which was a total success in the
circle.
There
were many such local struggles conducted by the circles/divisions. However, the
particulars of these actions are not available on records. If the circle
secretaries/divisional Secretaries consolidate the particulars of local
struggles conducted in their area, its achievements and victimization etc. the
CHQ will compile all these items and publish in the Bhartiya Post or publish a separate
book on local struggles. Opinions/suggestions among the participants of the
workshop is also invited.
December 1993 Strike
On 18.09.83, the union cabinet
has agreed for appointment of 5th CPC as a consequence of negotiation held in
the wake of C. G. Employees from decision for General Strike which was
scheduled to commence from 12.10.93. 5th CPC was appointed on 09.04.94 with
Chairman Justice S. R. Pandian, member Prof. Suresh Tendulkar and Member
Secretary, M. K. Khan. NFPTE directed the Staff Side Secretary National council
(JCM) to include the demand of formation of independent ED Committee &
scrapping of New Recognition Rules. Justice Talwar Committee on EDAs was
appointed on 31.03.95 due to the Four days strike the Postal JCA launced from
07.12.93 to 10.12.93.
New Recognition
Rules 1993
The revised Recognition rules
were notified by Government vide Mo 2/10/80-JCA (Vol. IV) dt. 05.11.93. NFPE
protested the rules since Federations & GDS are not covered by this rules.
Filed a case in Delhi High Court. The Court dismissed the petition. During the
first verification held in 1995, NFPE boycotted. However no union could be
recognized as no one had secured 35% in that verification. However, NFPE has
made to participate the verification held in 1997 after the formation of
separate set of rules for GDS as 'EDA (RS) Rules 1995 for the verification of
membership.
Achievements &
Gains
The significant achievement of
NFPTE is the agreement reached in 1974 with the P&T Board on 20%
promotional avenue for the P & T workers. It has been successful in getting
16 holidays plus two restricted holidays for the P & T operative staff. The
Bonus strike has compelled the Government to grant bonus to postal employees at
par with Railway. The Two promotions (TBOP & BCR) was its achievement where
no such provision of automatic promotion was available in any other Central
Government Departments.
Conclusion
NFPE is still the premier
organization of Postal workers even in the midst and emergence of rival
federation and unions. It has today having 75% and more membership of Postal
employees. It is an independent organization and not affiliated to any Central
Trade Union or organization. It comprises of all shades of opinions.
There
has been an unfortunate period of serious infighting for some years. But
despite this and the serious attack on it by the Government during the black
days of emergency, when the duly elected office bearers were not recognized,
journals were burnt, leaders were arrested and put behind the bars and
unleashed all forms of repressive measures to crush the organization, the NFPTE
(NFPE) has survived and emerged more united and stronger.
Thus,
the NFPE with its glorious history and tradition has committed and determined
to serve the Postal Workers to improve their economic and service conditions
and continue to serve as the vanguard of the Central Government employees
movement as a whole.
The
innate faith of the P&T works to the NFPTE/NFPE and their loyalty to the
organization cuts across all kinds of barriers primarily because the links and
communion between the rank and file and the Central Leadership is continuous
true and real.
The
Postal workers by their own experience and wisdom thus acquired have identified
and accepted the NFPE as the only organization which can spearhead the struggle
body at the Centre. Its message and mandate are honoured by nearly five lakh
employees who constitute the NFPE.
The NFPE is a movement and no
power can halt this force on its onward March.
Courtesy : aipeup3chq.blogspot.com
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