CONFEDERATION DECLARES NATIONWIDE AGITATIONAL PROGRAMMES

Dear Comrades,

The National Sectt. of the Confederation met at New Delhi on 11.08.2014 to consider the follow up action required in the matter of some of the pressing issues on which Confederation had organized series of agitational programmes prior to the commencement of the Election process of the 16^th Lok Sabha. The CHQ has received reports from various affiliates to the effect that they have all endorsed the common memorandum, the Confederation had submitted to the 7^th CPC. Most of the affiliates have emailed copies of the respective memorandum to the CHQ. Those who have not sent copies are requested to do so without further loss of time. This will enable the Confederation to write to the 7^thCPC to provide an opportunity to these organizations to tender oral evidence to explain and elucidate their submissions in the memorandum.

The meeting noted that there has been only negative response from the Government on the issues of Interim Relief and merger of DA. We have already sent to you a copy of our letter addressed to the Secretary, Staff Side, JCM National Council, (Com. Shivgopal Mishra) which is yet to be responded. The meeting considered the following issues as important, the pursuance of which must not brook any delay, especially in the background that the 7^th CPC has formally written to the Government asking it to indicate the course of action required to be taken on the memorandum of the staff side on Interim Relief and merger of DA.

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1.      Merger of DA with pay for all employees with effect from 01.01.2014 including Gramin  Dak Sewaks and pensioners.
2.   Grant of Interim Relief to all employees including Gramin Dak Sewaks and Pensioners.
3.   Inclusion of Gramin Dak Sevaks under the purview of 7^th Central pay Commission.
4.       Scrap PFRDA Act and grant of statutory pension to all.
5.       Date of effect of 7^th CPC recommendations should be 01.01.2014.
6.       Regularization and revision of wages of casual laboures and contract workers.
7.       Removal of 5% condition for compassionate appointments.
8.       Fill up al vacant posts and creation of new posts wherever justified.
9.  Stop downsizing, outsourcing, contractorisation and privatisation of Government functions.
10.   Grant Productivity linked Bonus to all without ceiling; compute Bonus as weighted average of PLB for those not covered by PLB agreement.
11.    Revise OTA and Night Duty Allowance and implement Arbitration Awards.

The meeting also considered the policy perception of the new Government in the light of the administrative price hike in petroleum products, the proposals in the Railway and General Budget, the steep hike in the freight and passenger fares of Railways, the decision to hike FDI in Defence Production, Railway Infrastructure and Insurance sectors, disinvestment of public sector including nationalized banks and have come to the inescapable conclusion that under Narendra Modi dispensation, the neo-liberal policies, as expected, will only be intensified and the promised “Achche Din” is for the Corporate giants of the country. The last session of the Parliament witnessed the determination of the NDA Government in changing the labour laws on the lines of the enactment made by Rajasthan Government of Vasundhara Raje Scindhia by virtue of which in almost 90% of the manufacturing units in India, the employers are permitted to indulge in hire and fire policy, for the existing regulations will be dispensed with.

The meeting came to the decision that the Confederation must organise serious and prolonged campaign, preferably in unison with the Railway and Defence Federations. We will pursue our consultation with those Federations to reach a common approach in the matter. Since it might take some more time, the meeting decided to pursue the demands through a demonstrative programme.

11^th September 2            11^th  September 2014:   Submission of the Charter of Demands along with a brief Note to all Heads of Offices by arranging demonstration in front of all offices; the branch level/district/divisional/state level leaders will explain the demands especially the memorandums on interim relief, DA merger and GDS issues.

19^th September      19^th September 2014:  Dharna between 10 AM to 3 PM at all important state/districts/divisional centers.

25^th September 2      25^th  September 2014: Dharna between 10 AM to 3 PM at New Delhi with participation of the leaders of all affiliates and the members working in the city of Delhi (at a central place-to be decided by the Confederation Delhi State committee).

Confederation office Bearers will meet again at Delhi on 26.09.2014, 5 PM to decide further course of action. Confederation will bring out pamphlets and bulletins to explain various issues like minimum wage, DA, Bonus; GDS problems etc. shortly as part of an education campaign. The detailed campaign programme to be undertaken after Diwali festival will be intimated later.

Comradely yours,

(M. Krishnan)

Secretary General