LESSONS OF THE
GDS BONUS STRUGGLE
M. Krishnan
Secretary General, Confederation & Ex.SG NFPE.
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The Govt. of India had issued the orders for payment of enhanced bonus to all
Central Govt. Employees on 29-10-2016. The bonus calculation ceiling is
raised from Rs.3,500/- to Rs.7,000/- from 01-04-2014. Accordingly the
bonus payment to all regular employees for the financial year 2014-15 and
2015-16 was paid with arrears at the enhanced rate of Rs.7,000/- in August
2016. Unfortunately the Postal Board refused to issue enhanced bonus
ceiling in respect of about three lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks working in the
Department of Posts. It referred the case to Gramin Dak Sevaks Committee
for recommendations.
The previous GDS Committee headed by Shri Nataraja Murthy had made a retrograde
recommendation in its report. As per that recommendation the productivity
of GDS is only 50% of the regular employees and hence it recommended only 50%
bonus paid to regular employees to GDS. At that time the bonus
calculation ceiling was Rs.3,500/-. As per Nataraja Murthy Committee, the
GDS are eligible for Rs.1,750/- calculation ceiling only. Hence the
Postal Board refused to extend the enhanced bonus ceiling of Rs.3,500/- for
GDS. Against this stand NFPE and AIPEU-GDS along with Postal Joint
Council of Action including FNPO and NUGDS conducted series of agitational
programmes including strike. Postal JCA discussed the case with the then
Minister of Communications also. Finance Ministry rejected the case for
enhancement of bonus to 3,500/- three times inspite of favourable
recommendations from Minister, Communications. Finally, after prolonged
struggle the Finance Ministry approved the enhancement and orders for
grant of bonus at the rate of Rs.3,500/- was issued for Gramin Dak Sevaks
also.
This time, the Chairman of the GDS Committee, Shri Kamalesh Chandra, took a
different stand. The Committee recommended the enhanced bonus of
Rs.7,000/- to GDS also. It stated that the overall revenue generated by
GDS Post offices and the overall expenditure for running the GDS Post offices
is almost equal. The actual deficit on account of GDS is only 200 crores,
whereas the total deficit of Postal department is more than 6000 crors.
That means the loss on account of GDS is very meagre when compared to the loss
incurred for running the departmental post offices, RMS and Administrative
Offices. Hence, Shri Kamalesh Chandra Committee made a favourable
recommendation to Postal Board to grant enhanced bonus to GDS at the rate of
Rs.7,000/-. Postal Board sent the file to Finance Ministry for
approval. The Finance Ministry after detailed study, gave approval and
Department of Posts issued orders on 27-10-2016.
Role played by NFPE & AIPEU - GDS:
NFPE and AIPEU-GDS under the leadership of Com.R.N.Parashar, Secretary General,
NFPE and Com. P.Panduranga Rao, General Secretary, AIPEU-GDS, gave call for
agitational programmes along with FNPO & NUGDS, protesting against the
discrimination shown towards GDS and demanding enhanced bonus calculation
ceiling of Rs.7,000/- to GDS also for the financial year 2014-15 and 2015-16
also demanding payment of revised wages to all casual, part-time, contingent
employees from 01-01-2006. It conducted nationwide protest demonstrations
and mass dharna in front of all Circle/Regional and Divisional Offices.
It declared indefinite hunger fast in front of Postal Directorate (Dak Bhavan,
New Delhi) from 3rd November 2016 and two days strike on 9th &10th
November, 2016. Notice for the two days strike was served to the
Secretary, Department of Posts on 20-10-2016. Intensive campaign was
undertaken throughout the country and the response from employees was
overwhelming.
Departmental Employees and GDS unity is
exhibited:
In 1984, first time in the history of Postal Trade Union movement the
Postmen,Group D & EDAs Union (NFPE) under the leadership of late Com.
Adinarayana, the legendary leader, gave a call for nation-wide one day strike
on 19th September 1984 exclusively for one demand ie; the demand of the Extra
Departmental employees. Again after 32 years NFPE & AIPEU-GDS along
with FNPO & NUGDS took a historic decision to go for two days nation- wide
strike on 2016 November 9th & 10th, both by departmental employees and
Gramin Dak Sevaks, exclusively for the demands of most down-trodden section of
GDS and Casual Labourers. No other demand of departmental employees was
added to the charter of demands. We proved that NFPE, AIPEU-GDS and
Postal JCA always stood with the GDS and Casual Labourers and the departmental
employees declared that GDS and Casual Labourers are our own family members and
we will not tolerate any discrimination and shall go for two days strike
for GDS and Casual Labourers. This is really an inspiring
experience.
Role of recognised GDS Union:
The recognised GDS Union of Shri S.S.Mahadevaiah, earlier used to declare that
I will go for indefinite strike only as no purpose will be served by one day or
two days strike. He has written many write-ups and circulars earlier
criticising NFPE & AIPEU-GDS for one day or two day’s strike. The
same leader, who earlier said that I don’t believe in one day or two days
strike, this time was afraid of the NDA Government and decided to go for two
days strike on 25th & 26th October 2016. He has not made any campaign
other than giving strike notice. His list of new office bearers elected
in the belated last All India Conference was pending before the
Directorate for approval. He was afraid of loosing recognition, if he goes on
strike. The Department of Posts has clearly informed him about the consequences
of the strike. After discussion with Department he surrendered and agreed
to withdraw the strike and his strike call was withdrawn on 24-10-2016 itself,
even before the approval of the Finance Ministry. The leader who
used to criticise others for deferring the strike earlier, has ran away from
the battle field half way, fearing withdrawal of recognition. Thus the
real face of the recognised union leader was exposed before the entire postal
employees. NFPE has already reminded him earlier itself that- '' you can
make fools some GDS for sometimes but cannot make fool all GDS for all
time”. Sri Mahadevaiah is afraid of facing membership verification also
and is requesting the department every time for extension.
NFPE, AIPEU-GDS and PJCA stand-
Departmental held discussion with NFPE, AIPEU-GDS, FNPO& NUGDS. They
have also cautioned the leaders on the consequences of the strike. But,
unlike Shri Mahadevaiah who ran away from battle field fearing de-recognition
NFPE, AIPEU-GDS and PJCA took a bold stand and declared that we will
not withdraw the strike unless and until orders for payment of enhanced
bonus is issued by Department and we are ready to face any victimisation.
It also demanded issuing of instructions regarding casual labourer wages.
Finally department issued GDS bonus orders on 27-10-2016. It has already
issued orders for payment of Casual Labour wages from 01-01-2006 and agreed to
issue strict instructions to all Chief PMGs for implementation.
GDS Committee and role of NFPE &
AIPEU-GDS
Government has appointed a separate GDS committee under the Chairmanship
of Retired Postal Board Member Shri Kamlesh Chandra. Our demand for inclusion
of GDS also under the purview of 7th CPC was not accepted by the NDA
Government NFPE and AIPEU-GDS has submitted a detailed memorandum to GDS
Committee. A delegation of NFPE and AIPEU-GDS has met the Chairman, GDS
Committee three times and tendered oral evidence. Our main demand is
grant of Civil Servant Status and grant of all benefits of departmental
employees to GDS. The GDS Committee has informed that it will
submit it’s recommendations to Government in November 2016 . If the
recommendations are against the interest of the GDS, NFPE & AIPEU-GDS will
definitely go for struggle including strike along with postal JCA.
The recognised GDS Union of Shri Mahadevaiah could not settle any of
the demands of GDS during the last more than 15 years. He don’t
believe in the unity of GDS and departmental employees. He is treating
the departmental employees and their recognised federations ( NFPE & FNPO)
as the enemy of GDS. He is also against the united movement of Central
Government Employees and Confederation of Central Government Employees and
workers.
In the above circumstances it is the duty of every GDS employee to strengthen
NFPE and APIEU-GDS. It is proved that only a United Struggle of
departmental employees and GDS can settle the genuine demands of GDS
employees. Realising this fact, all the GDS are requested to vote for
AIPEU-GDS, by submitting the authorisation letters (declaration forms) in
favour of AIPEU-GDS, which is an Associate Member of NFPE, in the coming
membership verification.
Role of Confederation and JCM (National
Council) Staff Side:
The Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers extended full
support and solidarity to the strike call of NFPE, AIPEU-GDS and Postal JCA for
enhancement of bonus ceiling to 7000 and called upon all other Central Govt.
employees (other than Postal employees) to conduct solidarity demonstrations
on the days of the two day strike on 9th &10th November 2016. The
Confederation took initiative to raise the issue in the JCM (NC) Standing
Committee meeting held on 25-10-2016 along with the JCM staff side. The
GDS Bonus issue was discussed in the JCM with Govt. and demanded immediate
settlement.
Congratulations and Salute to All:
No doubt, the GDS bonus ceiling enhancement is as great victory for NFPE,
AIPEU-GDS and Postal JCA including FNPO and NUGDS. The departmental
employees and GDS who unitedly conducted the struggle till victory, deserves
congratulations. The unity of departmental employees and Gramin Dak
Sevaks should be further strengthened and those who are trying to break the
unity should be isolated. Coming days are very crucial and may demands
more united and militant struggles.
Let us once again declare that
“Unity
is for struggle and struggle for Unity”.
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