New Pension Scheme - “An Election Gimmick ” criticized by Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)

The following is the statement issued by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions on March 30, 2009.
The New Pension Scheme announced by the Pension Regulatory Authority as reported in the media, is essentially meant to benefit Pension Fund Managers and boost the share market by utilising workers’ hard earned money.
The permission, if granted by the Election Commission to release the scheme does not alter its character of an election gimmick to hoodwink the workers and give electoral advantage to the UPA government.
The Pension Regulatory Authority has no statutory backing since the authority has been constituted without even passing the pending pension bill in parliament.
The new pension scheme does not specify what rate of pension will be available to the workers since it would be decided by the share market operation. The government is going ahead with such scheme despite strong opposition of the entire trade union movement. The scheme is supposed to cover all workers but the annual contribution of Rs 6000 makes it limited only to those who can afford to provide Rs 500 contribution per month. The new pension scheme will be in the hands of private sector managers who may swindle workers money.
The CITU therefore calls upon the trade unions and the working class to oppose the scheme that is no more a social security measure and only benefits the unscrupulous pension fund mangers in the country.
CITU also urges upon the Election Commission not to allow a fraudulent scheme to be announced by the government of the day under the cover of PFRDA to mislead the people in violation of the model code of conduct.

CITU QUESTIONS THE AUTHORITY OF THE UPA GOVT
The CITU strongly denounced the decision of the government of the day to impose a high natural gas price regime in the country by giving a clearance to the “Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement” (GSPA) for supply of natural gas from Krishna Godavari (DG D6) basin to fertiliser and power companies including PSUs which would in turn lead to higher price of power and fertiliser, at the cost of public exchequer in terms of tariff and subsidy.
It questioned the authority of the UPA government sans its alliance partners at this stage to take such decision which will have long term implication of bench marking a gas price at double the present rate of administered gas price of public sector companies like ONGC and OIL. The inequitable GSPA, totally loaded in favour of RIL-NIKO Group, the contractor, assigned to produce gas from KG D6 under a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with government of India, is violative of the Article 297 of the constitution of India which mandates the benefit of such natural resource to the people of India and not to production sharing contractor. This mandate can only be ensured after the election.
The CITU therefore demanded that government should not finalise the GSPA till formation of a new Lok Sabha which will scrutinise the GSPA. It also demanded that to meet the present acute shortage of gas, GAIL India Ltd, the nodal PSU for distribution of gas, should be asked to distribute KG D6 gas at the rate arrived through a global tendering in 2005 by M/s NTPC at 2.34 dollar per million BTU (British Thermal Unit) vis-à-vis the rate of 4.20 dollar per million BTU now being imposed through GSPA by RIL-NIKO Group.

The Negotiation to start next week and will be continued till agreement is reached - BSNL

General Secretary, BSNLEU, Com. V.A.N. Nambooeiri has discussed with Shri. R.K.Batra, Chairman Wage Negotiation Committee and it is decided to start wage negotiation next week and to continue till the agreement is reached.

The sub-committee on wage revision has visited SAI, GAIL, NTPC Head Quarters in Delhi and stuided the Pay scales, allowances, reirement benefits in these PSUs.

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Order from DoP&T

F.No.8/10/2008-JCA

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel P.G. and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

JCA Section

North Block,New Delhi

dated 2nd^th March, 2009

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Rates of Daily Allowance for Staff members of the Department / National Council and Third Level / Regional of JCM

The undersigned is directed to saythat consequent upon the revision of daily allowance by the Department of Expenditure vide O.M. No. 19030/3/2008-E.IV dated 23rd September, 2008, the JCM members shall be entitled to Daily Allowance in the following manner w.e.f. 1st September, 2008.

A. (i) National Council / Departmental Council (JCM)
Reimbursement for Hotel accommodation of up to Rs. 3000 per day; reimbursement o non-AC taxi charges of up to 50kms.per diem for travel within the city and reimbursement of food bills not exceeding Rs. 300 per day.
(ii) Regional / Office Council
Reimbursement for Hotel accommodation of up to Rs. 1500 per day; reimbursement of non-AC taxi charges of up to 50 kms.per diem for travel the city and reimbursement of food bills not exceeding Rs. 200 per day.
OR

B. The pre-revised rates as prescribed vide DOPT's O.M. No. 8/4/98-JCA, dated 17.11.1998.
This O.M. issues in consultation with Department of Expenditure vide I.D. No. 66/E.IV/2009 dated 24/2/2009.

(Dinesh Kapila)
Deputy Secretary

Letter from All India Railwaymen Federation…

Up gradation of paramedical categories with pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 to the grade pay of Rs.4600
It has been observed at while granting up gradation to the certain categories in the Grade Pay of Rs.4600 by VI CPC.
Some categories such as Paramedical categories, for example Physiotherapist, CHI, Radiotherapist, etc. are ignored.
These categories are horizontally and vertically had been disturbed. Generally the categories which are having the common functional back ground used to be placed in the common manner but here the same has been disturbed. It is worth to find it out; many of such categories cannot be merged in lower scale because these staffs do perform supervisory duties. It is needless to mention that the Railwaymen are inter- dependently working and this facts are also ignored by VI CPC. AIRF urges to the Railway Board to review the matters for issuing orders for the upgrading of such posts in the pay scales of Rs.6500-10500(pre-revised) to Grade Pay of Rs.4600 to all such categories where no such Grade Pay has been provided.

Health employees go on an indefinite strike…

Group C and D health employees under the banner of the All-India Health Employees and Workers Confederation went on an indefinite strike from 6 a.m. on Monday.

Threatening to intensify the strike, Confederation convenor Ram Kishan said: “We have been forced to go on strike because the Government has failed to look into our demands. We have been demanding that our hospital patient care allowance be continued and made at par with the nursing allowance and maybe part of the basic pay. This facility should be extended to workers of all the health institutions in the country, the pay scale of paramedical services should be changed to another pay band and we demand constitution of a Paramedical Service Council of India. The outsourcing and taking in staff on contract in any form and at any level should be stopped immediately in the health sector and all the posts/works should be replaced by regular staff.”

Functioning at the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and Ordnance Factories hospitals and dispensaries in the city was paralyzed on Monday as health employees across India went on an indefinite strike to protest against the central government for not fulfilling their demands.
Work at all seven CGHS dispensaries located at Lulla Nagar, Phulenagar, Cantonment, Mangalwarpeth, Boys Battalion, Range Hills and the dispensary, polyclinic and administrative office located at Mukund Nagar came to a halt.
The All India Health Employees and Workers Confederation is pressing for three demands including patient care allowance, the pay scale of paramedical services should be PB-2 instead of PB-1 and a Paramedical Service Council of India should be constituted and privatization and outsourcing of work in any form and at any level should be stopped immediately.
The striking health employees of Delhi Government had already withdrawn their stir yesterday.

INJUSTICE FOR PHARMACISTS AND LAB TECHNICIAN…

The 5th and 6th Central Pay Commission has accepted the principal of granting the pay scale of Rs. 5000 – 8000 (Pre-revised) PB-2 with grade pay Rs. 4200 for those categories whose recruitment qualification is 10+3 years Diploma or graduation in science etc., the Govt. has accepted this recommendations and implemented the same.
However, in the case of certain paramedical staff like Pharmacist, Lab Technician etc., Even though the entry qualification for this categories is 10 + 2 + 2 Years Diploma they have been kept is a lower pay scale or Rs. 4500 – 7000 (pre-revised). This is an injustice and hence it is demanded that the pharmacist. Lab Technician etc with the above qualifications may also please be placed in the Pay Scale of Rs. 5000 – 8000 (Pre-revised) reivised PB-2 with grade pay Rs. 4200.
The Fast Track Committee which was appointed by Government of India to consider the demand of Pharmacists, were included. The report was to be submitted to the Government of India within three months. Now the committee had its first meeting on 15.1.2009 and second meeting held on 27.1.2009. Not yet decided. In the next meeting only consider Pharmacist issue and hope Defence Workers Federations (such as AIDEF, INDWF, BPMS) will get positive result for Pharmacists.

Defence Employees Federations succeed great in policy matter...

The demand of the Defence Employees Federations,

which was pending for a long period, was the sanction of Rs.5000 - 8000 (Pre Revised Scale) scale of pay to Master Crafts Man (MCM) grade.

A lot of information was received stating that the government has approved the demand. As per the information those employees who are in Master Crafts Man (MCM) grade will be given Rs.4200 Grade Pay (Reviese Pay: PB-2 9300 - 8300) scale of pay and 20% of the employees in Highly Skilled strength will be given Grade Pay of Rs.2800.

Existing Pay Structure
Category	Pre Revised Basic Pay	Revised Basic Pay	Grade Pay	Ratio	Actual Strength
Skilled	3050-75-3950	PB-1 5200-20200	1900	45%	45%
H. Skilled	4000-100-6000	PB-1 5200-20200	2400	55%	41%
MCM	4500	PB-1 5200-20200	2800	25%(from H.S. Strength)	14%

Proposed Pay Structure
Category	Pre Revised Basic Pay	Revised Basic Pay	Grade Pay	Ratio	Actual Strength
Skilled	3050-75-3950	PB-1 5200-20200	1900	45%	45%
H. Skilled-II	4000-100-6000	PB-1 5200-20200	2400	21%	21%
H.Skilled-I	4500-125-7000	PB-1 5200-20200	2800	20%	20%
MCM	5000-150-8000	PB-2 9300-34800	4200	14%	14%

It also states that this new pay structure is equal to the Railway Employees.

The Sponsoring Committee of Trade Unions has decided to organize the Massive March to Parliament

Tomorrow - March to Parliament
The Sponsoring Committee of Trade Unions has decided to organize the Massive March to Parliament Programme on 18th Feb. 2009. All COCs will take as many numbers of comrades as possible to participate in the programme. Particularly the adjoining states of Rajastan, Haryana, Punjab, M.P., U.P. will take to mobilize maximum number of comrades to take part in the March along with other sections of the Working Classes.
Charter of Demands as follows…
1. Stop retrenchment/lay-off and wage cuts on the pretext of financial crisis.
2. Prioritise on relief to the common people. Any relief or concessions granted to industry, domestic or foreign, must ensure and guarantee protection of jobs and additional employment generation.
3. Halt further deregulation of financial sector, strengthen public sector banks and insurance companies, impose embargo on non-banking and speculative activities by the banks and financial institutions including the foreign banks.
4. Revise upward the minimum wages rate for both urban and agricultural workers.
5. Ensure strictest implementation of all labour laws.
6. Universalise public distribution system (PDS) bringing within its purview all the 25 essential commodities to be supplied at subsidised prices.
7. Scrap PFRDA Bill; stop handing over provident fund accumulations to private fund managers.
8. Increase public investment in agriculture and infrastructure projects with specific thrust on power, road, irrigation and waterways.
9. Ensure credit flow from financial institution to target agriculture and small-scale sector with top most priority, followed by industrial sector and not for stock-market operation.
10. Ban participatory notes transactions, and impose higher capital gains tax, both long term and short term.
11. Ensure protection to domestic industries through increase in import tariff against possible dumping of industrial commodities in the background of falling prices in the international market owing to recession; India should not agree to any further cut in import tariff in the ongoing talks at WTO level.
12. Amend the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act based on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
13. Provide universal coverage to National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Create more jobs in labour intensive sector.

The Organisation of the Chief Labour Commissioner known as Central Industrial Relations Machinery (CIRM)

HISTORICAL PROSPECTIVE :
The Organisation of the Chief Labour Commissioner (C))known as Central Industrial Relations Machinery was set up in April, 1945 in pursuance of the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Labour in India and was then charged mainly with duties of prevention and settlement of industrial disputes,enforcement of labour laws and to promote welfare of workers in the undertakings falling within the sphere of the Central Government.
Combining the former organizations of the Conciliation Officer (Railways) and Supervisor of Railway Labour and the Labour Welfare Advisor, it started with a small complement of staff comprising Chief Labour Commissioner (C)) at New Delhi, 3 Regional Labour Commissioners at Bombay, Calcutta & Lahore and 8 Conciliation Officer and increased gradually consequent upon expanding labour legislation's in the Post-independence period, increased industrial activity in the country and growing responsibilities of the Organisation.
Presently there are 18 regions each headed by a Regional Labour Commissioner (C) with Headquarters at
Ajmer
Ahmedabad
Asansol
Bangalore
Bombay
Bhubaneshwar
Chandigarh
Cochin
Calcutta
Gwahati
Hyderabad
Jabalpur
Chennai
New Delhi
Patna
Nagpur
Dhanbad and
Kanpur.
Out of these, 14 regions have been placed under the supervision of three zonal Dy.CLCs(C) and 4 regional offices are supervised directly by Headquarters office of CLC(C).
SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS OF CIRM
The CIRM administers the Labour Laws in the industries for which The Central Govt. is the `appropriate Government' under that Act, Its functions therefore are:
* Prevention and settlement of industrial disputes;
* Enforcement of Labour Laws;
* Verification of membership of Trade Unions;
* Enforcement of Awards and Settlements;
* Conduct of inquiries into the breaches of Code of Discipline;
* Promotion of Works Committees and Workers' Participation in Management;
* Collection of statistical information;
* Defence of court cases and writ petitions arising out of
Implementation of labour laws.

VERIFICATION OF TRADE UNION MEMBERSHIP
GENERAL VERIFICATION :
The general verification to determine the relative strength of Central Trade Union Organisation is conducted with a view to giving them representation on various international and national conferences, Committees, Councils etc. The strength of a Central Trade Union Organisation is taken to be the combined membership of registered unions affiliated to the central trade unions. Only those Central Trade Union Organisations whose affiliates are spread over atleast four states and in four industries and have 5 lakhs memberships.
The Government would recognize such trade unions as central Trade Union Organisation. The verification is undertaken once in four years.
More Details Click the link : http://labour.gov.in/clc/

9 Major Central Trade Unions Led by Various Political Parties

History of Trade Unions:- 1918 P.P. Wadia founded the Madras labour Union. By 1920 trade unions appeared in all states. AITUC was set up under the Indian National Congress to coordinate the efforts of trade unions in the country. In 1926 the Trade Unions Act was passed. In 1929 AITUC split and the right wing formed itself as All India Trade Union Federation under N.M.Joshi and the left wing was captured by the communists. AITUC again split and a militant Red TUC was formed under Ranadive. Another right wing union-National Federation of Labour-NFL- was formed and this later merged with AITUF to form NTUF - National Trade union Federation. 1935 RTUC merged with AITUC. In 1938 The BOMBAY Industrial Disputes Act was enacted which provided for compulsory recognition of unions, certification of standing orders, establishment of industrial courts etc. During Second World War AITUC and NTUF merged and became the only major union. AITUC which supported war efforts split and Indian Federation of labour was formed. During the war TU activities were barred under DIR rules. In 1947 there was another split and INTUC was formed under Congress leadership. AITUC remained a left wing TU .In 1948 supporters of Praja Socialist party formed HMP- Hind Mazdoor Panchayat which later merged with IFL and formed HMS-Hind Mazdoor Ssngh. 1970. AITUC split and the left communists formed CITU-Centre Of Trade Unions.In 1972 following emergency INTUC, AITUC and HMS joined and made a common platform. They formed a national apex body with employers’ organizations during emergency. After emergency they again split.Presently there are 9 major central trade unions led by various political parties.

• INTUC congress.
• Bhartiya mazdor sangh B. J. P.
• Hind Mazdoor sangh(HMS) Socialist party.
• UTUC R.S.P.
• UTUC (Lenin Sarani) radicals.
• CITU C. P. (M).
• AITUC Communist Party of India.
• National Labour organization (Old congess)
• National Front of Indian Trade Unions.

Besides there are 13 other central Trade unions in various national institutions and occupations -railways, Banks, postal etc. they are not affiliated to political parties or central bodies. Politically affiliated trade unions play a role in influencing the govt. in policy making on labour matters.

CITU Congratulates Striking Insurance Employees

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) heartily congratulates the 3 lakhs insurance employees and officers and their unions for the magnificent all India strike on 23rd December 2008 against UPA government's decision to increase FDI in the insurance sector.

The strike, observed immediately after the introduction of the bill in Rajya Sabha proposing increasing the FDI from 26% to 49%, registers the strong opposition to further opening up of the insurance sector to the foreign insurance companies, who stand exposed before the entire world for the worst kind of fraud perpetrated on the common people and their role in the global financial crisis. The Indian economy was protected to some extent till now because our financial sector was not allowed to be liberalised to the extent the government wanted, because of the strong resistance of the trade union movement and the Left parties. It is a shame that the UPA government now wants to hand over greater control of our insurance sector to the foreign companies to facilitate import of the crisis into our system. This clearly shows the UPA government's servile attitude towards the dictates of the World Bank and IMF to promote the interests of international finance capital at the expense of the interests of our own country. While fully supporting the struggle of the insurance employees against the increase in FDI in insurance, the CITU reiterates the need to further intensify this struggle. It calls upon the entire trade union movement, and all the democratic and patriotic sections of the society to unite to resist and stall the moves of the government to mortgage our interests to those of the international finance.

LIC Employees strike call on Dec-23 against introduction of FDI hike bill in the Parliament

All India LIC Employees' Federations announced strike":
All India LIC Employees' Federations have given a day strike call on December 23 against introduction of FDI hike bill in the Parliament to raise the limit from 26 percent to 49 percent of share holding in Insurance Companies.
Allowing hike "FDI limit to 49 percent in Insurance Companies at the critical juncture will be like inviting" devil for a dinner or pushing vessel into the rough sea weather when Tsunami waves already have started roaring, P.Mahesh, General Secretary, South Central Zonal Council of All India LIC Employees Federation said in a release here on Monday.
FDI is being advocated with the primary objective of enlarging non debt creating foreign capital inflows. Further technology acquisition and market access appear to be secondary objective.
The most important need under today's conditions is to create substantially, reduce volatility and ensure smooth undisturbed growth. None of these is likely to be achieved by allowing higher cap in FDI.
FDI proposed by government has more characteristics of foreign portfolio investment and is therefore is likely to be more volatile and vulnerable, release said.
The global economic recession in developed countries and its reflection in Indian economy due to the neo liberal economic policies pursued by the successive Govts in India during the last one and half decade forced the Govt. to stimulate selected sectors of industry.
However it seems to have not learnt its lesion. In spite of the bankruptcy and closure of the so-called world financial institutions and Insurance giants, the Govt. of India is bent upon in its pursuit of further liberalizing the economy and privatizing the assiduously built public sector organizations like LIC.
The Govt. is introducing the bill to amend LIC Act (to increase equity from 5Crores to !00 Cr.) in Lok Sabha on Monday 22.12.2008. Another Bill to raise money from Market (disinvestment) is to be introduced in Raja Sabha on the same day to allow public Sector Insurance Companies to raise money from market. Unions in LIC and General Insurance Companies are preparing for a one day protest Strike on the next day i.e. 23rd December, 2008.
The State COCs and all affiliated organizations are therefore requested to organize solidarity protest a demonstration on that day. The COCs may chalk out and organize programmes on 23.12.2008 alongwith the Unions in the Banking sector, as we have been informed that BEFI has also conveyed similar decision to all its units..

Demands tabled by A I D E F and N F P E

Demands tabled by All India Defence Employees Federation

S.No.	Charter of Demands
1.	No corporatization of ordnance factories as recommended by the 6th CPC, no grant of RUR to private industries, no outsourcing of Defence jobs to private section and no RDI in Defence sector.
2.	No abolition of group "D" Post and no outsourcing of jobs to contractors.
3.	To fix the minimum wages as per the 15th ILC norms.
4.	To revise the fitment formula as suggested by the staff side to ensure a minimum wages increase of 40% to all categories of employees.
5.	Revise the Pay Scale of Master Craftsman to Rs.9300 - 34800 + Rs.4200 Grade Pay and revise the cadre structure of Industrial Workers (Workshop Staff)
6.	Anomaly in the fitment fromula to be rectified in case of employees promoted on or after 01-01-2006 by ensuring the minimum pay granted to new entrant recruited after 01-01-2006.
7.	Grant annual increment on 01st January and 01st July instead of 01st July.
8.	To implement the joint proposals with regard to Pay Scales and promotional prospects of DRDO employees particularly (a) DRTC Technicians/Technical Assistant 'C' (b) Admin, Stores, Accounts, Pas, DEO, HO, Security, ALS and all Attendants Cadre.
9.	No lateral induction of Defence Forces in the Defence Establishments as Civilian Employees.
10.	Exempt the Defence Establishment from ADRP and fill up all the posts lying vacant on 01-01-2008.
11.	Implement all the Arbitration Awards.
12.	Continue the payment of Risk Allowance, Hospital Patient Care Allowance and Patient Care Allowance to the existing employees and extend the benefit to left out categories, organizations and opeations.
13.	To implement 3 ACP Scheme by granting ACP up gradation in the hierarchical grade as available for promotion in the recruitment rules.
14.	No reduction in the commutation value and restoration of full pension after 12 years.
15.	Withdraw the new contributory Pension Scheme and implement the defined Pension Scheme for the employees recruited after 01-01-2004.
16.	Implement the recommendations of the 6th CPC to grant flexible working hours to women employees and physically disabled employees.
17.	Revision of overtime rates under the Factory Act and Departmental Rules in the revised pay scale w.e.f. 01-01-2006 and correlation of Piece Work Rates / Houly Rates and Incentive in the revised Pay structure.
18.	Grant of all allowances from 01-01-2006 and instead of 01-09-2008.
19.	Minimum 10% of benefit to be guaranteed while on promotion.
20.	Remove the Arbitary 5% ceiling imposed on compassionate ground appointments and grant compassionate appointment to all the pending cases.
21.	Revise the Daily Allowance rates.
22.	Immediate setupof Anomaly Committee both at the National and Departmental level and refer the disagreed items to Board of Arbitration.
23.	Stoppage of recovery of Professional Tax from the Defence Civilian Employees as directed by the Hon'ble Karnataka High Court and Supreme Court of India.
24.	Extension of CSD Canteen facilities to retired Defence Civilians Employees.
25.	Restore Border Area allowance withdrawn by the Government based on 6th CPC recommendations.
26.	Special Duty allowance to be paid to all employees without any conditions.

Demands tabled by National Federation of Postal Employees

S.No.	Charter of Demands
1.	Modify and improve the recommendations of Nataraja Murti Committee and reject the retrograde recommendations [list of modifications / rejections endorsed separately].
2.	Re-fix the wages all Paid Substitutes – RRR Candidates – Part Time / Contingent w.e.f. 1.1.2006 on the basis of 6th CPC Revised Pay Scales.
3.	Exempt Postal Department from the purview of Screening Committee and fill up all vacant posts in all cadres immediately.
4.	4. Hold Periodical Meeting and JCM Departmental Council / RJCM Regional Council meetings as per the schedule.
5.	5. Implement all issues of April 2007 Strike Settlement.
6.	6. Negotiate and settle the sectional charter of demands submitted by Federations and unions on 15.02.2008.
7.	7. Finalise Cadre Review for all cadres – creation of a separate establishment for System Administrators and redressing their current problems.
8.	8. Improve the ACP and make it applicable to Postal Employees.
9.	Remove all trade union victimisation in all Circles and end irrational application of Contributory Negligence orders.
10.	Do not introduce new schemes without consultations with the Staff Side.
11.	Withdraw the SLP against the RRR Candidates and absorb them immediately.
12.	Grant immediate fixation of higher scale as per 6th CPC to TBOP/BCR Postmen / Mailguards.
13.	Grant higher pay scales to Head Mail Peons at par with Postman / Mailguard.
14.	Redistribute the LSG / HSG II / HSG I posts for Circle Offices including DPLI Kolkata.
15.	Withdraw decentralisation of PLI/RPLI functions of Circle Offices.
16.	Stipulate periodicity of deputationists to Circle Offices and recruit new incumbents.
17.	Ensure integration of all Accounting streams in DOP under PA Wing and stop the proposed move to decentralise Postal Accounts.
18.	Restore the 3 year periodicity for promotion to Senior Accountant cadre

INDEFINITE STRIKE WITHDRAWN

NFPE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT DECIDED TO WITHDRAW THE INDEFINITE STRIKE DECISION ON THE BASIS OF THE APPROACH OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR NOT TAKING ANY UNILATERAL DECISION ON GDS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS WITHOUT CONSULTING THE STAFF SIDE DECISION IS INFLUENCED BY THE NON-NEGATIVE APPROACH OF THE SENIOR OFFICERS COMMITTEE HEADED BY SHRI P.K.GOPINATH GDS CHQ ADVISED BY NFPE SECRETARIAT TO COLLECTIVELY CALL OFF TO MAINTAIN UNITY FOR NEGOTIATIONS AND FUTURE ACTION

INDEFINITE STRIKE

INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 17.12.2008 (Wednesday) No agreement reached, talks held between DDG [Estt] and staff side At 15.00 Hrs. on 16.12.2008 however no settlement could be reached. Detailed news from National Postal Employees Federation On the direction of the Regional Labour Commissioner the Department of Posts held a discussion with the Staff Side consisting of the GDS Union and the NFPE with all its General Secretaries at 15.00 Hrs today. The Deputy Director General [Estt] took the meeting. The delay caused by the Senior Officers Committee in not discussing with the Staff Side and not completing its task before the assigned time of 7th December 2008 are protested by us and pointed out that this has caused the resentment at the lower levels. Talks were held for nearly one hour. However no settlement could be reached. The Indefinite Strike decision of the GDS Union stands good. The Federal Secretariat decision to join the strike also stands good. Make all out preparations for the success of the indefinite strike.