Dear Comrades,
CONFEDERATION CIRCULAR
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001
Website: WWW. Confederationhq.blogspot.com
Email: Confederationhq@yahoo.co.in
Circular No. 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
Email: Confederationhq@yahoo.co.in
Circular No. 11 Dated 12.1.2014
Workers are not Beggars
Workers are not Beggars
