EDITORIAL POSTAL CRUSADER FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL: 2013

FIRST AIC OF THE GDS AND OUR TASK AHEAD

Nobody can deny the fact that Gramin Dak Sevaks are an integral part of NFPE. The Government of India and the Postal bureaucracy tried its best to divide departmental employees and GDS. The leadership of the so-called recognized union utilized this opportunity and took advantage of the situation to create a permanent division between GDS and NFPE by raising cadre sentiments, which NFPE never cultivated. The intention was very clear; nothing but to keep the control of the biggest union of GDS in their hands forever and utilize it for their own vested interests. They thought that the down trodden GDS are all fools and they may not understand the hidden agenda of the leadership. But the GDS proved that they are more intelligent than the leadership and refused to become prey for their nefarious game. GDS loved NFPE like anything. They continued their fight against the anti-NFPE Leadership within the union for upholding the pride and prestige of NFPE. When their voices were suppressed and democratic elections to change the leadership were prevented by undemocratic methods, majority of them walked out and formed a new-union called AIPEU-GDS (NFPE), to decide their own destiny.

The new GDS (NFPE) union was born in the month of April 2012. Within a short period of ten months, it’s growth is tremendous and amazing. The 1^st AIC held at Chennai from 2013 March 21^st to 22^nd was the manifestation of its glittering organisational advancements. The huge participation of more than 1000 delegates and visitors from all the 22 circles has proved beyond any doubt that the vast majority of the GDS are with GDS (NFPE) Union and remaining GDS shall also join the GDS (NFPE) union in the near future itself. Eleven out of the 15 All India office bearers who were in the so-called recognized union before the Amaravathi AIC, have joined the new union. All the circles and including the major circles are also with the new union. As one of the Ex-All India office bearer of Mahadevaiah Group who joined the GDS (NFPE) union alongwith his followers during the 1^st AIC has correctly stated in his speech “The leader of the so-called recognized union is a liar and he is deliberately trying to misguide the GDS.”

The deliberations and decisions of the GDS AIC has paved wary for serious programme of action culminating in indefinite strike. The AIC categorically declared that the GDS (NFPE) shall implement all the programmes and decisions of NFPE and Confederation. The main demands of the GDS union and NFPE is Departmentalization of GDS and grant of civil servant status. This alone can ensure the total emancipation of GDS. Secondly the AIC demanded that the GDS should also be included under the purview of Seventh Central Pay Commission and 50% merger of DA should be granted to GDS also. The leadership of Confederation, NFPE and GDS (NFPE) Union unanimously declared in the AIC that if the Government refuse to include GDS under the purview of Seventh CPC, there will be an indefinite strike of all Central Government Employees including Postal employees. The Charter of demands was discussed and approved by the AIC which includes other demands such as pro rata wages, Scraping of “Engagement “ clause, Statutory minimum pension of Rs. 3500/-, raising of bonus ceiling to 3500/-, Reduction of cash handling and stamp sale norms, Full protection of TRCA, Removal of 50 points condition for compassionate appointments, medical reimbursement scheme, six months maternity leave and child care leave, grant of full trade union facilities, grant of facility for request transfer from one post to another, three time bound promotions, grant of advances, stop combination of duties, liberalise conditions for appearing in PA examination and ear-mark 20% PA/SA vacancies to GDS, remove ceiling limit of Rs. 50/- per month for cash allowance, provide norms for all work including MNREGS, payment of BO rent by department,  stop redeployment to far-off places, Children, Education Allowance, Leave Travel Concession etc.

During the last thirteen years, since the formation of the so-called recognized union, the Gramin Dak Devaks lost many of their hard-earned benefits. The new GDS (NFPE) union has to conduct struggle under the banner of NFPE for restoration of these benefits including 3500/- Bonus parity and also conduct higher from of trade union action including indefinite strike for conferment of civil servants status and grant of all consequential benefits of departmental employees.

Now that the new GDS (NFPE) Union has become the biggest GDS Union and the real representative of the GDS, those who have hesitated to support the new union, shall come forward to extend fullest support to it. The animosity atmosphere between GDS and departmental employees (GDS & NFPE) has been vanished and a new era of unity and cooperation has born. Let all our Circle/Divisional Secretaries of all NFPE affiliated unions shall come forward to strengthen further the GDS (NFPE) union let us also join all struggles for the cause of Gramin Dak Sevaks.