CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES &
WORKERS
1st Floor,
North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001
Website: WWW. Confederationhq.blogspot.com
CircularNo. 11
Dated 12.1.2014
Workers are not Beggars
Dear Comrades,
Confederation declared 48 hours nationwide strike of Central Government
Employees on 12th &13th FEB 2014 demanding settlement of 15 point Charter
of Demands including DA Merger, Interim Relief, Inclusion of Gramin Dak
Sewaks in 7th CPC, Regularization & Revision of wages for casual labours ,
Date of effect of 7th CPC as 1/1/2014, Rescind the PFRDA Act etc.
Start campaign and preparation now onwards. Each Affiliated organizations
should issue separate circulars to all the state and district units and conduct
department wise campaign. Strike notice should be served by each organization
to their Head of the departments.
MAKE
THIS STRIKE A THUNDERING SUCCESS
MASS DHARNA AT
JANTAR MANTAR. NEW DELHI on 9th JANUARY, 2014
In culmination of the first phase of our agitation programme a mass
dharna was organized at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 9th January, 2014 in pursuance of the 15 point
charter of demands. As per the decision of the National Sectt., all
Secretariat members along with the leaders and workers of Delhi State was to
take part in the Dharna. However, quite a number of comrades from various
other parts of the country volunteered to participate in the programme, despite
the chilling weather conditions of Delhi, which reflected the growing
determination of the rank and file of the workers to fight for the demands and
to win the same. Com.KKN.Kutty National President presided. The Dharna was
inaugurated by Com. S.K. Vyas, Adviser , Confederation which preceded by
a welcome speech delivered by Com. Vrighu Bhattacharya, Secretary, Delhi State
Committee. Leaders of almost all major affiliates of the Confederation
and other Sectt. Members addressed the participants. Com. A.K.
Padmanabhan, President, CITU while greeting the participants in the Dharna,
stressed the need for a long and sustained struggle to win the demand.
While concluding and congratulating the participants for the large turnout,
Com. Secretary General said that a meeting of the National Executive of the
Confederation is scheduled to meet on the next day. He added that
National Executive will evaluate the developments of the last few months and
will decide upon the date of commencement of the impending strike action. The
Dharna programme which was commenced at 11.00 AM was concluded at 3.00PM, when
Com. Parasar on behalf of the National Sectt. thanked the participants and the
Delhi State Committee.
National Sectt. Meeting on 9.1.2014.
The Sectt. Members who took part in the Dharna programme met in an
emergent meeting at 5.00PM to finalise the proposal to be presented to the
extended meeting of the National Executive the next day. Com. Vyas
narrated the efforts undertaken by him and the President to interact with the
leaders of the AIRF and AIDEF to bring about a common approach both in the
matter of 7th CPC and
other issues in the charter. When the Staff Side of the National Council
met to finalize draft terms of reference, there had been few takers for the
five year wage revision proposed by the Confederation. He explained as to
how the Confederation representatives had to agree with a compromise formula for
the date of effect being 1.1.2014 (instead of 1.1.2011), with the clear
understanding that the question of periodicity of wage revision of CGES must be
a matter of contention before the 7th CPC. Despite the overwhelming response
from the Railway workers, (more than 90% is reported to have voted in favour of
strike in the strike ballot conducted by AIRF) Com. Vyas said that the leaders
of the Railway Federation have not indicated their willingness to pursue the
demands with a strike action. The Defence Federation leaders have also
indicated that it would be difficult for them to pursue the issues with strike
action, unless the same is organized under the auspices of a joint platform of
all Federations of Central Government employees.
In the deliberations that followed the introductory remark of Com. Vyas, the
following points emerged:
(a) The announcement of the setting up of 7th CPC by the UPA Government was to be considered
as a ploy to obtain electoral mileage ;
(b) The compulsion has been brought about by the Confederation
through sustained struggles including the one day (12.12.2012) strike action.
(c) The need for organizing strike action before the commencement of
the election process
(d) The leaders of the Confederation might make another attempt with
the Railway and Defense Federations before the NE meeting.
(e) The possibility of inordinate delay in the setting up of the 7th CPC if not done before electionIs notified
(f) Apprehension was expressed by the participating comrades that
the Government might go ahead and issues the requisite notification without
taking into account the view points of the Staff Side contained in the draft
terms of reference submitted.
The meeting, therefore, came to the conclusion that(a) the
strike action is the need of the hour and must be organized before the election
process commences;(b) the indefinite strike for which the Secretariat had
earlier taken decision must be attempted under the auspices of the joint platform
of all CGE organizations; (c) the Secretary General might make a proposal
for two days strike in the first fortnight of the February for the
consideration of the National Executive.(d) A few comrades were of the view
that in view of the paucity of time for campaign etc, the proposed strike
action might be in the last week of Feb. (e) fear of the election code of
conduct coming into operation immediately after the Parliament session was also
expressed by some comrades at the meeting.
The Secretariat authorized the Secretary General to present the proposal for
two days strike in the first fortnight of Feb.2014 to the extended meeting of
the National Executive.
Extended meeting of the NationalExecutive and decisions.-
10.1.2014
The extended meeting of the National Executive was held at MP Club, North
Avenue, New Delhi on 10.1.2014. In the inaugural address, com. S.K. Vyas,
Advisor briefly placed the developments after the announcements of the setting
up of the 7th CPC by
the Government. He particularly referred to the electoral reverses of the
UPA in the five State Assembly elections held in November/December, 2013. He
considered the electoral reverses as an expression of anger of the common man
against the policies pursued by the UPA II Government. He advised the members
to take note of the inescapable conclusion emanating from the election result
that the common man given an opportunity will throw out the perpetrators of
injustice and anger agony on them. According to him, whoever follows the
neo liberal policies are bound to be the victim of the ire of the working
people.
He then narrated the course of discussions on the terms of reference both at
the staff side meeting as also at the official meeting chaired by the Secretary
Personnel. In his opinion, the Government may not accept any of the
suggestions made by the Staff Side unless it is backed up by sustained
struggles. The very announcement of the Pay Commission itself was due to the
compulsion brought about by the Confederation and its affiliates through
struggles. He reminded the comrades that the Government had consistently
refused to meet in the JCM at the National and Departmental levels. The
negotiating machinery has almost been closed down. He said that whenever
the meeting takes place, it was with a clear view to defer decisions on the
legitimate demands of the employees. He also explained the efforts
undertaken by the Confederation leaders to bring about a united platform of all
organizations participating in the JCM in the background of the nugatory
attitude of the Government and its failure. He added that in the given
circumstances, hoping for the emergence of a joint platform would be a
grave mistake and the Confederation as had been its historical approach, must
pursue the charter of demands, which include the setting up of the 7th CPC, through a strike action.
Com. Secretary General presented the proposal emerged at the meeting of the
Secretariat a day before, i.e. on 9th and the various viewpoints that came up for
consideration at the meeting. While presenting the proposal he asserted
that the announcement of the 7th CPC has come about only on account of the
initiative taken by the Confederation. He recalled how the Confederation
leaders were ridiculed in 2011 when the demand for the 7th CPC and five yearly wage revision was first
raised. He said that the common employees who are members of the
affiliates of the Confederation deserve congratulation for the magnificent
response to the call for the March to Parliament on 26th July, 2012 and the subsequent one day
strike action on 12th December,
2012. He cautioned that the draft terms of reference prepared by the
Staff Side would remain in paper if the same is not pursued by militant
actions. He told the participating members that the Confederation should
not allow the setting up of the 7th CPC without a labour representative and must
ensure that its Chairman is not one who is obsessed with the neo liberal
economic reforms. He explained that the proposed struggle was not only
for wage revision, though that being an important issue, but also to ensure
that the neo liberal policies are not allowed to be pursued whoever comes to
power. He reminded the comrades that the 15 point charter of demands include
the important and significant issues like (a) withdrawal of the new
contributory pension scheme, (b) stoppage of contractorisation,
outsourcing, privatization etc, (c) regularization of daily rated workers and GDS,
(e) to bring the GDS within the ambit of the 7th CPC treating them as Civil servants, (f)
revival of appointments on compassionate ground without conditions (g) filling
up of vacant posts (h) functioning of the negotiating machinery and above all
(i) arresting the ever rising prices of essential commodities. He
requested the members to appreciate the position explained and decide upon an
inevitable strike action before the election process is begun.
Thereafter the house deliberated upon the proposal placed on behalf of the
Secretariat. Several Comrades took part in the discussions. The
decision to go on strike was welcomed by one and all. Some comrade
forcefully pleaded that the Confederation must give a call for an indefinite
strike action. In the end, the house adopted a resolution indicating the
following course of action to pursue the 15 point charter of demands.
(Full Text of the resolution, the press statement issued after the meeting, the
details of the campaign programme at the National level will be placed on the
website within a day or two.)
(i) Strike will be of 48 hours ( 2 days) duration.
(ii) The two days strike will commence on 12th February, 2014 at 00
hours and will be concluded at 00 hours on 14th. i.e. Strike will be
on 12th and
13the Feb. 2014.
(iii) Strike notice will be served by the Confederation on Cabinet
Secretary; all affiliates on their respective heads of Departments and copy of
the same will be handed over to the respective heads of offices on 21st January, 2014. Prior to the serving of notice
to the heads of offices, the unions will organize massive demonstration with
cent per cent participation of members in front of all offices on 21.1.2014.
(iv) Nationwide campaign will be organized covering all State
Capitals and other important cities and towns in January, 2014.
(v) State Committees will organize state wise campaigning programme
covering all District Head Quarters in the first week of Feb. 2014.
(vi) Hold Press conferences; issue press statements and take steps to
ensure media converge for the ensuing strike action.
The resolution received unanimous approval of the house, which
was followed by thunderous slogan shouting.
Com. Secretary General then informed the house that the FNPO has
agreed to synchronize their strike action for two days on the same dates and
with the same charter of demands.
The house then took up the applications received from ARIES Employees
Confederation (ARYABHATTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF OBSERVATIONAL SCIENCES)
DEHRADUN and the DOT Employees Association of India, KOLKATA for grant of
affiliation. The house approved the proposal for the grant of affiliation
to the two organizations.
Com. President before declaring the closure of the session requested the
affiliates to take immediate steps to clear off the subscription dues for lack
of finance should not hinder the functioning of the CHQ. Com. Parasar on
behalf of the Sectt. had welcome the participants in the beginning. Com.
Seethalakshmi, Convener, Women Sub Committee of the Confederation and the newly
elected General Secretary of All India Postal Employees Union, Postmen, and
MTS/ Group D proposed vote of thanks.
With greetings,
Yours
fraternally,
M.Krishnan
Secretary
General
