Strike paralyses functioning of banks, post offices

Strike paralyses functioning of banks, post offices

Patna, Sep 7 (PTI) Functioning of commercial banks and several public services across Bihar were affected in the wake of the country-wide strike called by trade unions to protest price rise, alleged violation of labour laws and disinvestment in PSUs.

B Prasad, Bank Employees' Federation (Bihar) General Secretary, claimed the strike was total in Bihar.

Most banks, except State Bank of India (SBI) branches, wore a deserted look as the employees held demonstrations and staged procession across the state, he claimed.

"Clearing operations was halted due to the strike, which also received support from some private banks in Bihar," he said adding the NABARD office too was closed.

Officials said functioning of offices of BSNL and Department of Posts was partially affected due to the strike.

The strike, however, failed to have an impact on operation of flights at Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport here, airport sources said.

Source: PTI

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Eight trade unions backing call for strike tomorrow

Eight trade unions backing call for strike tomorrow

Government employees and many of those working in the private sector will go on a one-day countrywide general strike on Tuesday under the banner of eight major trade unions including Congress-affiliated INTUC against price rise, violation of labour laws and disinvestment of PSUs.

"Nearly six crore workers will participate in the strike across the country. Those employed in private sector will also join the strike in many places," AITUC general secretary and CPI MP Gurudas Dasgupta told a news agency in New Delhi on Monday.

AITUC, CITU, HMS, AIUTUC, TUCC, AICCTU, UTUC and federations of different categories of workers and employees will participate in the general strike, which has been called by Coordination Committee of Central Trade Unions headed by INTUC president G Sanjeeva Reddy, he said.

"This is going to be biggest strike that ever happened in recent years in this country as after 63 years all the trade unions have come together on a common platform," Dasgupta claimed.

All the "branches of economy" will be affected due to strike as workers from sectors including coal, power, telecom, banks, insurance, defence, port and dock, road transport, petroleum and construction will join the call, he said.

Trade unions earlier had drawn up a five-point charter "asking the government to curb the price rise but nothing was done," he charged.

"The trade unions have been agitating against disinvestment of public sector. They (trade unions) are angry because labour laws are being violated," he said.

Trade unions want massive investment for social security for unorganised labourers. "We are also protesting job loss and contractualisation of jobs in the country," he added.

Dasgupta said that the strike will not be the "last thing". If the situation does not improve, workers will march to Parliament in February next year.

"Trade unions can not be marginalised. They must be heard.We want social justice, reasonable share of the wealth workers produce. That's all," he added.

BJP-affiliate Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), however, has kept itself away from the strike call.

"BMS is not participating in the strike as it is politically motivated and not for the welfare of workers," vice president of Delhi unit of the union Kiran Dutta said. (RBY-06/09)

Source: DDI News

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Bank officers not to join tomorrow's nation-wide stir

Bank officers not to join tomorrow's nation-wide stir

Mumbai, Sep 6 (PTI) Banking operations are not likely to be totally affected by tomorrow's strike called by central trade unions, as officers from the State Bank of India as also from other banks, will not join the strike.

"Bank officers will not join the general strike call given by central trade unions tomorrow," All India State Bank Officers' Federation and All India Bank Officers' Confederation General Secretary G D Nadaf said in a statement here.

The officers federation would, however, extend "fraternal support" to the striking workers, he said.

According to him, only two bank unions - the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) - are participating in tomorrow's strike.

Source: PTI

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Strike call to hit banking operations on Tuesday

Strike call to hit banking operations on Tuesday

Banking operations are expected to be hit on 7th September, with the All-India Bank Employees Association joining the nationwide strike called by several unions to protest against the price rise, unemployment, grant of licences to private banks and other issues.

Nearly 10 lakh employees from 27 public sector banks, 18 foreign banks, 26 private banks, 82 regional rural banks and 1,721 cooperative banks will participate in the strike, an All-India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) statement issued in Mumbai said.

AIBEA has opposed FDI in private sector banks and demanded the expansion of the public sector banks' network from 40,000 branches to 1,00,000 across the country.

"Expansion of public sector banks network is necessary for reaching out to the poorest of the poor for making the financial inclusion model of the RBI a success," AIBEA Secretary Vishwas Utagi said.

Besides bankers, nearly 44 crore employees, including those from the organised and unorganised sectors and industries, will participate in the strike, he said.

"We are protesting against price rise, violation of labour laws and disinvestment in public sector undertakings," he said.

Source: DDI News

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Trinamool to hit streets to oppose Tuesday's strike

Trinamool to hit streets to oppose Tuesday's strike

Kolkata, Sep 4 (PTI) Trinamool Congress workers will hit the streets to oppose the 'bandh politics' of Left parties who were backing a nation-wide industrial strike on Tuesday called by the central trade unions, party chief Mamata Banerjee said here today.

"We will take out processions and hold meetings on Tuesday to protest the strike, but will not go for confrontation," Banerjee, also the Railway Minister, told reporters.

A day's shutdown would have a crippling effect on the economy, she said, adding "CPI(M) here calls bandhs frequently. Such bandhs cause loss of crores of rupees when the state's debt burden stands at Rs two lakh crore."

"A bandh should not be called unless there is a serious compulsion. We are opposed to bandhs," she said.

Source: PTI

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Industrial strike to have a large impact: AITUC

Industrial strike to have a large impact: AITUC

Kolkata, Sep 1 (PTI) The September 7 industrial strike called by major trade unions would have a strong impact all over the country, AITUC General Secretray Gurudas Dasgupta said today.

"We believe that this will be the biggest bandh in recent tiems and the impact of the bandh will be felt all over the country," Dasgupta told a press conference at the AITUC office here.

"This is a strike against the price hike and the violation of labour laws all over the country," he said.

"This is for the first time we have been successful in bringing all the major trade unions, including INTUC together and they will also participate in the strike," Dasgupta claimed.

"Though BMS (the trade union wing of BJP) is not actively participating in the strike, they have not opposed it either," Dasgupta added.

Source: PTI

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INTUC not to participate in Sept 7 nationwide strike

INTUC not to participate in Sept 7 nationwide strike

Hyderabad, Sep 1 (PTI) Indian National Trade Union Congress members will not participate in the proposed nation-wide general strike called by central trade unions on September 7, INTUC president Ambati Krishnamurthy said here today.

A decision to not participate in the proposed general strike was taken in the national executive meeting of INTUC held in the first week of August at Delhi, he told reporters here.

The general strike has been called by rival unions to destabilise the UPA government, he said.

Central trade unions and workers and employees Federations have called the strike on September 7 protesting the rise in prices of essential commodities and petroleum products.

Source: PTI

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50th anniversary of the first strike action of the Central Government employees

Confederation of Central Government Employees General Secretary Mr.K.K.N.Kutty has expressed with his own expreience about 50th anniversary of the first strike through this letter to all Central Government Employees...

We reproduce this letter and given below for your information...

ALL INDIA RAIWAYMEN FEDERATION
ALL INDIA DEFENCE EMPLOYEES FEDERATION
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS.

Dated:…………….
Dear Comrades.

As you are aware, the 50th anniversary of the first strike action of the Central Government employees and workers fall on 12th July, 2010. The strike commenced on 12th July,1960(midnight of 11th July) and ended on 16th July, 1960. The strike was unique in many respects. The then Government resorted to the most bestial and brutal methods to repress the strike action, unbecoming of the rulers of a civilized Nation. The movement of Government employees in this country was built on the edifice created by the supreme sacrifice of the comrades who participated in that action in 1960.

We have mutually come to the understanding that we should commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first strike action in an appropriate manner eliciting participation of all (who participated in the strike, who led the strike and who rendered the solidarity and support for making the strike possible) along with the present day generation of Government employees who are the beneficiaries of the fruits of that glorious industrial action. We have decided to hold a convention at Mavalankar Hall, Rafi Marg, New Delhi on 16th July, 2010 between 11 and 4 PM To ensure that those who participated in the strike in 1960 are honoured and they share their reminiscences and experiences with the present day generation fo workers, we request all concerned to kindly invite them cordially to come for the convention on 16.07.10. It is also incumbent upon us that we ensure the participation of our active comrades at the convention. We propose to allot the following number of participants to each organization.

AIRF 500 (including for the various pensioners organization of Railway men) AIDEF 200 (including for the various pensioners organizations of Defence workers) Confederation. 300 (including for the various Pensioners organizations of Central Govt and BSNL/MTNL employees as also for the members of the BSNL/MTNL employees)

With greetings,
Yours fraternally,

Shiv Gopal Mishra,
General. Secretary. AIRF.

C. Srikumar/Sailo Bhattacharya,
General Secretaries AIDEF,

K.K.N. Kutty, Secretary General,
Confederation. Of CGE and Workers.

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POSTAL STRIKE DEFERRED

POSTAL STRIKE DEFERRED

National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE) Union website published today that the proposed indefinite strike from 13th July, 2010 is deferred.
We reproduce the full text of the post and is given below for your information...

Proposed indefinite strike from 13.07.2010 deferred

The Secretary, Posts had taken a meeting with staff side on 12.07.2010 to discuss the charter of demands at 11 am and the following are the outcome on the charter of demands.

1. There will be no closure of single handed post offices.

2. The demand of the staff side that the annual increments to the erstwhile GDS SPMs should be continued will be considered positively.

3. There is no policy decision of the department to outsource any of the postal services.

4. A separate meeting will be held on 15.07.2010 to discuss about the Mckinsey and the object of restructuring the services.

5. Another separate meeting with the staff side will be held about the technology proposals shortly to discuss the future expansion of technology.

6. There will be no violation of earlier agreement on status quo of RMS & MMS with 10000 mails. Any violation if brought to the Directorate’s notice it will be set aside.

7. The Departmental council & periodical meetings will be held regularly hereafter. Next meeting will be held in next month August 2010.

8. The demand of higher pay to TBOP &BCR for the earlier period will be considered along with the cadre review proposals.

9. There will be no harassment in Project Arrow offices. Furnishing wrong data’s and showing as delivered or redirected will not be allowed hereafter.

10. The demand of the staff side to assess the vacancies as per establishment strength and actual strength in all cadres will be considered and all Chief PMGs will be addressed and appraised to fill up all the vacant posts forthwith during video conferences personally by the Secretary (P).

11. A committee consisting four staff side representatives with DDG(P) & DDG (Est) will be constituted and the process of the proposals of cadre review for all cadres will be completed before the end of 2010.

12. Separate discussions will be made on the proposal of creation of Postmasters cadre also.

13. The welfare schemes to GDS like grant of pension, medical, the proposals were already cleared by the Postal Board and submitted to nodal ministries for approval. It will be expedited.

14. It was assured to reconsider the norms for cash handling to BPMs and also fix fresh norms to RPLI and NREGIS scheme shortly.

15. The proposal for higher pay to Driver with Grade pay of 2400 has been sent to the Ministry of Finance.

16. The revision of O.S.A rates will be made within one month.

17. Technology training to workshop staff will be provided.

18. The proposals for the grant of minimum pay as per the Sixth CPC to casual labourers have been submitted to Ministry of Finance for approval. It will be expedited. The demand of the staff side to grant revised GDS pay to GDS substitutes will be considered.

19. The issues related to postmen norms, delivery, beat etc will be discussed shortly and final decision will be taken before the end of October 2010. One committee will be constituted to sort out the issues.

20. The plea of the staff side to ignore benchmark for MACP has been accepted and the Secretary told the DDG to cause orders today itself. Another request to ignore the earlier declining of LSG promotions prior to the receipt of MACP orders will also be considered.

21. The proposal of the staff side to create System assistant instead of System administrator will be considered along with the cadre review proposals. The orders relating to road mileage allowance will be released shortly. The distribution of work & responsibility etc will be looked into along with the cadre review proposals.

22. The Recruitment Rules for Multi tasked staff will be finalized shortly. Our request to finalise the rules with no educational qualifications as if available to erstwhile Group D has been accepted.

23 The issues relating to Postal accounts like filling up of posts, amalgamation of Group C etc will be discussed further with DDG (PAF).

24. The suggestions of the Admin union about centralization of PLI claim at RO & CO will be considered. Further a separate meeting will be organized with their union to discuss about their issues.

25. Clarificatory orders will be issued soon providing officiating pay to the officials holding higher posts like HSG II & HSG I.

26. The issues of the postal Civil wing will be discussed separately.

After the meeting, the JCA met and decided to defer the proposed strike duly considering the positive approach of the Secretary in settlement of our genuine demands.

Please visit www.nfpe.blogsopt.com

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Call for strike given to Central Government employees was unpatriotic...says Mr.N.Sanjiva Reddi

Dated July 7, 1960: Unpatriotic step

The Congress President, Mr. N. Sanjiva Reddi, called upon Congressmen in Patna on July 6 to accept the challenge posed by the strike threat of the Central Government employees and offer their services to the Government to meet it. He said they should be prepared to work even as railway porters and postmen, if need be. Mr. Reddi told a Congress workers' meeting that the call for strike given to Central Government employees was unpatriotic at a time when India's borders were threatened. He fervently hoped that the Central Government employees would not fall a prey to the “machinations of some misguided politicians” and would refuse to join the strike. He asked Congressmen to do their best to persuade the Central Government employees to desist from joining the proposed strike.

Source: The Hindu

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Air India’s two unions de-recognised, offices sealed

Air India’s two unions de-recognised, offices sealed

Hours after crushing the two-day old strike by Air India employees, the state-owned airline de-recognised two major trade unions and sealed their offices across the country.

The airline gradually restored normalcy since morning though 25 flights were cancelled for the day.

Erstwhile Indian Airlines' union Air Corporation Employees' Union (ACEU) and All India Aircraft Engineers' Association (AIAEA) have been de-recognised by the management of National Aviation Company of India Ltd (NACIL) and their offices have also been sealed, NACIL sources said today. NACIL is the holding company of Air India.

Besides terminating the services of 17 office-bearers of the two Unions last night, the airline suspended 15 engineers. More dismissals and suspensions are likely to follow with highly-placed sources indicating that a total of upto 100 employees would face action.

"The de-recognition order came in last night and their offices have also been sealed," the sources said, as the airline cracked down on the Union leaders.

Dinkar Shetty, a leader of the ACEU, said they were waiting for a formal communication from the management regarding termination and suspension before deciding on the future course of action.

ACEU and AIAEA had gone on a flash-strike on Tuesday to protest a 'gag order' directing the office-bearers of NACIL trade union to refrain from making public statements and harming the image of the company.

The Unions were demanding immediate withdrawal of the 'gag order'. But the Management claimed there was only a general circular which has been upheld by the Mumbai High Court and that there was no such 'gag order.'

The strike led to cancellation of 130 flights affecting 13,000 passengers. Besides, NACIL also incurred losses to the tune of Rs 10 crore due to the strike.

Shortly after the strike was called off, civil aviation minister Praful Patel said the kind of behaviour shown by the striking employees cannot be tolerated repeatedly. "Whoever did it are absolutely irresponsible," he said.

The strike was called off following a Delhi High Court order yesterday. The Government had also turned the heat on the striking employees giving a free hand to Air India management to take stern action against them. About 20,000 employees belonging to ACEU and AIAEA had gone on strike, according to the Unions. The striking employees accounted for roughly 60 per cent of the airline's staff.

Source: Times of India

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Indefinite Strike from July 13th - POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION

POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION
National Federation of Postal Employees
Federation of National Postal Organisations
All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union
National Union of Gramin Dak Sewaks

Dated 15th May 2010

Postal JCA/1/2010
2010

Nationwide Demonstration and Strike Notice Serving on 4th June Postcard Campaign and Meet the Public Personalities from 8th to 15th June Black Badge Wearing and Demands Highlight Day on 29th June Non-cooperation from 5th to 9th July Strike Rally on 12th July Indefinite Strike from July 13th

Dear Comrades / Colleagues,

The All India Postal Joint Council of Action consisting of NFPE and FNPO Federations and their Affiliated Unions and Associations and the All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union & the National Union of Gramin Dak Sewaks met on 14th May, 2010 in New Delhi.

The opening up of new attacks on the Postal Services and Staff and the highest order of unilateralism in taking various decisions against the interest of Postal Employees and the Postal Services as well as the gross violation of its own agreements by the Administration were the major points of deliberation in the JCA Meeting. Various other staff problems that are not receiving any real attention for long time also engaged the attention of the Postal JCA.

The Mckinsey Multinational Consultant has been appointed by the Department for effecting Structural Reorganisation! No interaction with the Staff Side has taken place nor is the Staff Side provided with any materials related to the terms and reference of the said MNC Consultant. It is widely believed that in the name of ‘McKinsey’ serious attacks on the RMS and Postal Structure are in the offing. Already the Department has unilaterally pushing ahead with its retrograde move of abolition of ‘C’ Class Post Offices in the urban areas all over India. It has also ordered down gradation of all GDS SOs into GDS BOs and closure of GDS BOs in the name of merger/upgradation. The direction of the Department is for the total destruction of ‘RMS’ wing and merger of the entire RMS with the Post Offices is already visible and the McKinsey is expected to nail the coffin soon. Some Circle Administrations are so impatient that even before the McKinsey report; they want to commence the attack on the RMS in violation of the agreement reached on 30th November 2009. Outsourcing of several Postal Operations like Mail Conveyance, Processing of Speed Post Articles, Data Entry Operations of several works have been accentuated.

On the other hand the Department is not coming forward to convene the meetings of Departmental Council JCM and Periodical Meeting with the Federations at the National level. Unilateral decisions like piecemeal cadre restructuring of Postmasters Cadre is being resorted to ignoring the comprehensive cadre restructuring of Group ‘C’ as like Railways and other Departments. Under the Project Arrow the employees are squeezed and exploited in violation of Rules and in the name of 100% delivery performance. Shortage of staff continues to haunt the services in spite of the removal of Screening Committee. The attack on the Postal Staff continues in the name of decentralization of PLI/RPLI work and no additional staff was granted to any Divisional Office anywhere for the additional work. Due to application of conditions in a mechanical way, the MACP is being denied to hundreds of Postal Employees. On one side the discrimination between the Drivers of Parliament Secretariat and MMS Drivers is created by the Government and on the other side no posts of Drivers are recruited and the existing Drivers are forced to work beyond human limits in MMS by the Department of Posts. The System Administrators are also forced beyond human endurance and they are treated as the middle ages slaves by the administration. Unilateral tightening of work norms and non-creation of work norms for several works performed by GDS is causing reduction of wages to GDS. The GDS are discriminated against on several issues despite many judgments of Court of Law and the justice continues to be denied to all types of Casual Labourers. We live in an environment of total suffocation and the Staff Side is fully side lined and ignored and the voice of the Staff Side is not heard at the higher level of Administration!

It is in this background,, the Postal JCA has come to the unanimous conclusion to undertake an All India Strike Campaign Tour during the months of June and July and unleash a series of Programmes to effect full mobilisation of Postal Employees for embarking upon a nationwide Non-cooperation Programme culminating in an Indefinite Strike from 13th July 2010. The Programme of Action and the Indefinite Strike will be for realisation of the following Charter of Demands:

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1. Drop the move to outsource any function of the DoP including on the recommendations of McKinsey – Cancel the decision to close down ‘C’ Class Post Offices – Cancel the orders for down gradation of EDSOs into ED BOs and closure of EDBOs - Roll back steps of privatisation of speed post processing and mail conveyance and data entry work.

2. Stop violations in the Agreements on Status Quo of RMS & MMS as well as the merger of RMS with less than 10,000 mails – Create scientific norms for the work in CRC, Speed Post, Logistics and EPP – Cancel the orders for replacing the General Line HSG-I by ASPOs in Mail Offices.

3. Holding of JCM Departmental Council meetings; Periodical Meetings with Federations; Sending of the issue of discrimination of pay scales between the Telecom TBOP/BCR and Postal TBOP/BCR w.e.f. 1.1.1996 to Board of Arbitration; and Holding of GDS Committee Meetings periodically with GDS Unions.

4. Stop harassment of staff under Project Arrow – No extraction of work against Rules – No extraction of work beyond 8 Hours – No drafting of staff on duty and for Training etc on Sundays and Holidays – No harassment in the name of 100% Delivery – Withdrawal of all Punishments awarded to Postmen for minor non-delivery of articles.

5. Fill up all vacant posts: [a] Undertake reassessment of vacancies in PA/SA cadre to rectify mistaken calculation of vacancies in all circles; [b] Fill up all vacant posts in all cadres in Department of Posts [Postal, RMS, MMS, Admn, Postal Accounts, SBCO, Civil Wing etc] as on 31.12.2009; [c] Allow local recruitment as one time measure in Postal Accounts similar to 1997 at Sundernagar.

6. Comprehensive Cadre Restructuring of Group ‘C’ employees in PA/SA Cadre; [b] Withdrawal of unilateral orders on piecemeal cadre restructuring of Postmasters’ cadre until comprehensive Cadre Restructuring of PA/SA cadre is completed; [c] Comprehensive Cadre Restructuring of LDC, Sorters & DEOs in Postal Accounts by amalgamation into a single Accounts Assistants cadre in the pay of Pb-1 with 2400 GP; [d] Comprehensive cadre Restructuring of PA/SA cadre in SBCO; and [e] Comprehensive cadre restructuring of Postmen/Mailguard/Multi Task Staff.

7. Grant of Pension, Departmental status to GDS extending the all benefits such as HRA/CCA, ACP etc, including Trade Union rights and welfare measurers – Remove discrimination on Bonus ceiling – Modify the 20,000 unilateral imposition of cash handling work points for GDS BPMs – Withdraw orders denying revised TRCA w.e.f. 1.1.2006 in respect of BPMs – Compute work norms to all types of work performed including NREGS, PLI,RPLI, Pension Payments etc to GDS – Implement enhanced Social Security to GDS like Ex-Gratia Gratuity and Severance Amount w.e.f. 1.1.2006.

8. Grant of Parity in Pay Scale [PB-1 with GP 2400/-] for MMS Drivers on par with Drivers of Parliament Secretariat – Recruitment of adequate number of Drivers – Sanction of OSA for the long distance logistics van drivers of MMS – Technology training to Work Shop staff and grant of Data Entry Operators scale of pay to Work Shop Staff.

9. Implement Supreme Court Orders for revision of wages from 1.1.2006 [6th CPC wages] to all RRR Candidates, Casual Labourers, Contingent staff, GDS Substitutes etc – Grant Temporary Status to eligible Full Time Status Casual labourers; Convert Part Time into Full Time; Absorb Full Time, Part Time, contingent in vacant GDS Posts.

10. Fill up all vacancies of Postmen and Mailguards - Roll back the unscientific scheme of Single Postman Beat System – Modify certain unscientific work norms of Postmen / MTS finalised by Work Study Unit - Enhance the Postman Double Duty Allowance as per the recommendations of 6th CPC.

11. Remove all local anomalies in MACP Scheme like application of benchmark for the period prior to introduction of MACP Scheme; Grant MACP on ‘Average’ benchmark like Department of Railways; Denial of MACP for acts of denial of regular promotion earlier to introduction of MACP; Denial to grant PB-2 while upgradation to Grade Pay 4200 and above to Group ‘C’ Officials etc.

12. Creation of System Administrators Cadre with higher pay scales and absorption of all System Administrators in the new cadre during initial composition – Uniform Norms for System Administrators including work hours, number of systems, distance factor – Financial compensation for special and extra work performed by System Administrators.

13. Early finalisation of Recruitment Rules for upgraded Group ‘C’ in PB-1 with 1800 GP – Ensure present system of absorption of GDS and TS CLS in Group ‘D’ posts into the new RR without insisting for the educational qualification – Filling up all the posts of Multi Tasking Staff without any delay.

14. Amalgamation of Group ‘C’ Accounts Cadres of DoP and DoT. 15. Roll back of the Decentralisation of PLI/RPLI work – Augment required staff strength in PLI branch of CO/RO/DPLI –Maintain centralized accounting system through the Office of DPLI Kolkata – Fill up the vacant posts of COs/ROs/DPLI Kolkata to manage huge shortage;

16. Parity of scale of pay of Ministerial Cadre in Postal Civil Wing on par with the Postal Assistants and upgradation of posts of Works Clerk Grade –II/Grade-I/Head Clerk – Filling up of all vacant posts of technical as well as ministerial posts – Creation of one Civil Wing Circle for each Postal Circle.

17. Regularise the HSG-I, HSG-II, LSG arrangements and grant Officiating Pay & Allowances to all Officials holding the posts.

PROGRAMME OF ACTION

Dear Comrades / Colleagues,

The patience of Postal Employees is grossly misunderstood by the Postal Administration as our weakness and a licence to impose whatever retrograde policies they could think of. Time has come to unite as one man and raise our strong voice against all kinds of humiliation. Let us mentally get prepared for a sustained struggle by accepting all sacrifices. No advancement was achieved without sacrifices and no advancement is possible without further sacrifices. We have presented a united platform of struggle and it is now the responsibility of the rank and file to get organised with all their ideological and other differences left aside in the common interest of all of us. We call upon you to undertake all measures unitedly by forgetting all local differences and stand as one Man with full determination. Our each and every programme decided by the Postal JCA has to be taken to the last employee of the department. Every programme has to be converted into a total success.

• On 4th June when the CHQ issues Notice of Indefinite Strike to Department, all levels of our Organisations shall serve the copy of Strike Notice to respective Administration by organising massive demonstrations.

• All India Strike Campaign Tour by CHQ leaders [Details soon to be circulated]

• The Postcard Campaign and Meet the Public Representatives like M.Ps/M.L.As shall be a tremendous success to put pressure on the Department. [Text of Postcard Campaign enclosed as Annexure.]The Honourable Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies may be submitted a copy of this JCA Letter seeking their kind intervention to write to Shri.A.Raja Honourable MOC&IT for settlement of our justified demands.

• Black Badge wearing and Demands Highlights Day on 29th June, 2010 to draw the attention of the Government about our determination to go on strike. [Text of Badge is supplied in the Annexure]

• The Non-cooperation Programme from July 5-9 shall show to the Government / Department that without our cooperation it will not be possible for the Department to run the show anywhere including Project Arrow Offices and Speed Post Centres etc. The Non-cooperation programme should clearly prove that if we work according to Rules then the functions and operations will come to a standstill. This Programme should be a prelude to the success of the Indefinite Strike from 13th July.

• Indefinite Strike from 06.00 Hrs on 13th July 2010.

United we win! Divided we fall! Unite to win!!

With Struggle Greetings,

K.RAGAVENDRAN--------------------D.THEAGARAJAN
SECRETARY GENERAL NFPE---------SECRETARY GENERAL FNPO

K.V.SRIDHARAN---------------------D.KISHANRAO
GENERAL SECRETARY P3[NFPE]------GENERAL SECRETARY P3 [FNPO]

ISHWAR SINGH DABAS---------------T.N.RAHATE
GENERAL SECRETARY P4 [NFPE]----GENERAL SECRETARY P4 [FNPO]

GIRI RAJ SINGH-------------------D.THEAGARAJAN
GENERAL SECRETARY R3 [NFPE]----GENERAL SECRETARY R3 [FNPO]

A. SIDDIQUE---------------------P.SURESH
GENERAL SECRETARY R4 [NFPE]---GENERAL SECRETARY R4 [FNPO]

PRANAB BHATTACHARJEE-------------O.P.KANNA
GENERAL SECRETARY ADMN [NFPE]--GENERAL SECRETARY ADMN [FNPO]

P.RAJANAYAGAM----------------------P.U. MURALIDHARAN
GENERAL SECRETARY AIPAEA [NFPE]-GENERAL SECRETARY NUGDS

S.S.MAHADEVAIAH
GENERAL SECRETARY AIPEDEU

TEXT OF POST CARD CAMPAIGN

To
Shri.A.Raja
Honourable MOC & IT
Government of India
Electronic Nikethan
CGO Complex
Lodi Road,
New Delhi – 110001

Respected Sir,
POSTAL EMPLOYEES REQUEST YOUR KIND INTERVENTION TO DIRECT THE POSTAL BOARD TO DISCUSS THE CHARTER OF DEMANDS OF POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION FOR REACHING SETTLEMENT OF OUR JUSTIFIED ISSUES.

THANKING YOU SIR,

YOURS FAITHFULLY,
--------------------------
Name:
Designation:
Office:
Date:

TEXT OF BLACK BADGE
DEMANDS HIGHLIGHTS DAY
29.06.2010
WE DEMAND IMMEDIATE SETTLEMENT
OF CHARTER OF DEMANDS SUBMITTED BY
POSTAL JCA

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A.Raja Intervens to resolve the issues with BSNL

A.Raja Intervens to resolve the issues with BSNL

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has called off the strike that began this morning after intervention of the Union Minister of Communications & Information Technology, Shri A. Raja. The decision to call off the strike was taken in the interest of the customers and the organization during a meeting between the Minister and the representatives of BSNL associations/unions here today.

The Minister directed the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) during the meeting to resolve the issue relating to revision of pay scale of non-executives and implementation of promotion policy for them within 15 days. The Department has also agreed to expeditiously move the proposal on revision of IDA pension to the Cabinet completing all the necessary formalities.

BSNL has been allowed to procure 10 million mobile lines immediately in view of the fact that 20 million lines are in the process of installation.

On the issues of disinvestment of BSNL, voluntary retirement scheme and unbundling of last mile copper pairs, the BSNL unions has been assured that all stakeholders will be taken into confidence by the Department before arriving at a final policy decision. On the issue of absorption of ITS Group ‘A’, the Department has further assured that the Cabinet Note shall be sent for consideration to the Cabinet as per the timeframe decided earlier. However, BSNL shall start process for recruitment of DGMs and management trainees and also decide the number of personnel to be recruited including their eligibility conditions.

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DoT Makes Effort to Break Impasse on BSNL Strike

DoT Makes Effort to Break Impasse on BSNL Strike

A Section of employees, both executives and non-executives, have given a notice for indefinite strike from 20th April, 2010 for settlement of their following demands:

Settle ITS absorption issue;

No disinvestment/No privatization of BSNL;

No retrenchment/No VRS;

No unbundling of last mile copper & other infrastructure;

No outsourcing;

Immediate procurement of mobile lines; andChaitra

Ensure IDA pension revision to BSNL retirees.

Revision of wages.

In order to resolve the issue, meetings were held at the level of CMD BSNL, Secretary, Department of Telecom and the Minister of Communications & IT. The Unions were assured that they will be taken into confidence before arriving at a final policy decision regarding disinvestments, VRS etc. Assurances on all other issues were also given by the Minister with definite time frame. During the discussions, the Unions seemed to be convinced. However, for the reasons best known to them, the Unions have decided to go ahead with the strike unilaterally. Even now the Government is having an open mind to resolve the issues.

All efforts are being made to ensure that the services are not disrupted and no inconvenience is caused to our esteemed customers.

Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Governemnt of India,

New Delhi, April,19 2010/Chaitra 29,1932

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ICAI employees go on strike, accuse mgmt of funds misuse

Employees of accounting regulator the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) have gone on indefinite strike since yesterday to protest non-payment of salary for January and accused the management of misappropriating funds.

Nearly 800 employees started the strike on February 3 alleging gross mismanagement of funds by the top management and demanded a thorough audit of ICAI by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

"We were promised that the revised pay (as per the Sixth Pay Commission) would be given to us in January's salary, but we have got neither. They (the management) tell us that there is financial crisis. But there is actually misuse of funds and we have demanded a CAG audit of the institute," ICAI Employees' Association Secretary Deepak Kishore said.

Employees of ICAI, which comes under the administrative control of the Corporate Affairs Ministry, are paid according to the Central government pay structure.

Kishore said even though the Sixth Pay Commission was implemented in August, 2008, employees have not yet been given the revised salaries.

Earlier last month, he added, ICAI President Uttam Prakash Agarwal had promised that the revised salaries would be given in January's pay.

About 8 lakh students train under the ICAI that comprises at least 1.5 lakh members.
Source: Business Standard

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Bank Employees to go on strike on December 16

Bank employees are planning to go on strike on December 16 during the Parliament Session against banking sector reforms such as privatisation of public sector banks (PSBs) and closure and merger of associate banks/other PSBs with State Bank of India. All India Bank Employees Association and the All India Bank Officers Association, which called for the strike, said bank employees and officers in public sector banks, private banks and foreign banks will observe an all-India strike on December 16.

“The strike has been called to stop the banking sector reforms such as privatisation of PSBs and the amendments in Banking Regulations Act to allow full voting rights to foreign investors in the banking sector.
Source:Business Standard

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AI pilots stick to strike threat

Air India pilots today renewed their threat to go on strike from November 24, if their demands for incentives and allowances were not met in the next five days.

"The ICPA will not withdraw its strike call on November 24 unless all its demands are met by November 10," a resolution adopted by the Central Committee of the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) said.

After their meeting in Chennai, ICPA sources said: "Even if the government clears our three month dues (allowances), we are not going to relent. We want the government to implement all the pending demands".

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Bank 9th Bipartite :Bank employees may have to wait little more for pay hike

There is always a slip between the cup and lip, as they say. And for nearly 8 lakh officers and employees waiting for their wage hike , the gap may not be bridged in a hurry. This is even as the Indian Banks Association (IBA) and United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) have agreed upon a 17.5% wage hike.

But, there seems a devil hiding in the details of the proposed option to join the pension scheme for those who are out of the pension net currently. Issues like accounting for the cost of pension and its cost-sharing arrangement between bank management and employees have cropped up which is delaying the entire negotiation process. The wage revision is due from November 2007.

For starters, IBA and UFBU have now agreed upon a 17.5% wage hike over the establishment expenses of banks as on March 31, 2007. IBA, the body for the bank management, has also in principle agreed to offer the pension option to those who did not opt for it in 1993. Around 2.66 lakh public sector bank employees do not get monthly pension.

Even after agreeing on the second pension, IBA has put fresh conditions. It now wants employees to share a burden for building up the pension corpus. Then, the proposed introduction of New Pension Scheme (NPS) and variable pay are still need to be resolved, said All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) president Rajen Nagar. AIBEA is the largest bank union.

Top bankers who are part of the wage negotiation did not want to officially comment at this juncture. Yet, they have confirmed that IBA has agreed in principle to offer the second option for pension.

For the second pension option, banks (barring SBI) will have to shell out an additional Rs 6,000 crore collectively. IBA is also likely to consider pension option for bankers who retired before March 31, 2008 and are out of the purview of pension scheme.

Although, both the parties have in principle agreed to the core issues, some details are yet to be worked out, said State Bank of India’s employee’s association s general secretary for Bengal circle, Shyamal Karmakar. However, this pension issue does not really bother SBI employees who are always entitled to pensions.

However, UFBU -- the umbrella organisation for nine leading bank unions -- is not also comfortable with the IBA s proposal to introduce NPS for bankers joining after April 2010. We want the old pension scheme to continue till October 31, 2012. We have committed that unions will discuss the issue of NPS after this. Mr Nagar said. Incidentally, the ninth bipartite settlement will be valid till October 31, 2012.

We are also against the concept of variable pay. It deteriorates performance rather than improving it, Mr Nagar opined.
Source : Economic Times.

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UCIL workers on strike demanding wage revision

The workers of Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) mines in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district today went on an indefinite strike demanding wage revision.

UCIL spokesman P V Dubey told PTI that the management has issued the 'no work, no pay' notice after the workers of UCIL units including Jadugora uranium mines, Narwapahar mines, Bhatin mines, Turamdih mines, Bagjata mines and Mahuldih mines in the district went on indefinite strike from this morning.

The strike has been called jointly by the four labour unions of UCIL demanding wage revision.

Describing the strike as "illegal", Dubey said the reconciliation process were on after few rounds of tripartite talks at Chaibasa and Jadugora failed during the last two days.
Source:PTI

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IIT faculty to go on hunger strike on Sep 24

Around 1,500 teachers of 13 IITs today decided to go on a hunger strike on Thursday to protest the anomalies in the recently announced pay structure.

The Faculty Federation, which met at IIT Kharagpur, decided to take the action against the pay structure that puts restriction on promotions and lacks performance-based incentives for them.

Classes at the premier institutes will, however, not be affected during the strike.

"We will observe strike on September 24. But we will not boycott work. The classes will go on. We will protest the pay structure that puts a number of curbs on the IIT's system," Prof M Thenmozhi, president of the federation, told PTI after the meeting.

IIT professors to go hunger-strike

Professors of all seven IITs in the country would observe a hunger-strike on September 24 to protest against alleged discrimination in pay-scales.

This was decided at a meeting of the professors held at IIT, Kharagpur, here today, a spokesman of the Faculty Council of the IITs said.

Although professors would go on hunger-strike, classes on that day would be held as usual.

The spokesman said the pay-scales had been made in a manner which would destroy the excellent status of the institutes and not attract the best of talent in future.
Source: PTI

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