ANDHRA AGITATION

Dear Comrades!

 

Andhra Postal Unions of NFPE and FNPO are going on an agitational path. They have served a Notice for an Indefinite Strike to commence from 21.05.2008. In addition they are holding a programme of action including work to rule from 7.5.2008. A 22 Point Charter of Demands was submitted to the Chief Postmaster General as strike demands. Faulty grant of Notional Promotion ignoring seniors; non-filling up residual vacancies; non-regularization of casual labourers against GDS vacancies as per CAT Judgment and non implementation of Directorate orders on grant of temporary status to them; problems faced in connection with remittance of cash for settlement of claims towards NREGS etc are some of the main demands.

 

The issues are not only the problems of employees of Andhra Circle. Similar situation exists in many circles. The problem is due to the fact that even after one year after April 2007 strike agreement, the Department could not ensure implementation of notional promotion and filling up of residual vacancies properly in many circles. NFPE has already written a letter on this matter to the Secretary [P] by name and sought for an interview to discuss in person. NFPE will press for a meaningful negotiation with the Staff Side of Andhra by the Chief Postmaster General Andhra Circle for settlement of the issues.

 

The letter written to Secretary [P] is reproduced below:

 

PF-13(a)/AP/2008             Dated 5.5.2008

 

 

To

 

Shri.I.M.G.Khan

Secretary

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan

New Delhi – 110001

 

 

Sub: Staff unrest leading to strike notice in Andhra Circle – Intervention sought – reg.

 

Sir,

 

This Federation hastens to bring to your kind notice that due to the non-settlement of some serious issues and non-adherence to Directorate's instructions and orders, the postal employees of Andhra Circle are deeply aggrieved and consequently the NFPE and FNPO unions and associations have been forced to serve a strike notice on the Chief Postmaster General to embark upon an Indefinite Strike from 21^st May 2008 demanding settlement of 22 point of charter of demands. They are also resorting to various agitational programmes like demonstrations, telegram campaign including work to rule from 7^th May 2008.

 

The problem is aggravated due to the faulty grant of notional promotion to LSG ignoring the instructions and guidelines of the Postal Directorate. The lack of transparency wherein the administration was not ready to even show the method applied in granting notional promotion initially caused avoidable provocation. Later when the same was made available, the Staff Side proved that there are irregularities in the promotion including excess grant of FTP promotion. The Administration is not ready to set right the problems.

 

The inordinate delay in filling up the residual vacancies and unnecessary delay in obtaining clarifications from the Directorate etc is another major issue causing lot of resentment.

 

The non-compliance of Directorate instructions and orders is resulting in the promotional avenues of seniors most adversely affected. The problem of workload and shortage of staff is another major issue crossed tolerable limits.

 

The Staff are facing public wrath because of lack of timely cash remittances to EDBOs to settle claims of NREGS but the Administration is unimaginative is dealing with this important issue. Either the administration should temporarily increase the line limit for remittance or provide for necessary arrangement for conveyance of cash to all such offices from the account offices without any hitch.

 

The casual labourers are denied absorption against vacant GDS posts despite the CAT Hyderabad. Judgment. They are not regularized as per Directorate norms also. This is most unjust.

 

This Federation notes with concern that the Circle Administration has only opted to ignore the peaceful agitations going on in the entire circle for the past one month and went about with the meeting of negotiations it held with the staff side with utter casualness and trying to throw the blame on the Postal Directorate.

 

This Federation would therefore seek your personal intervention to cause to direct the Circle Administration of Andhra to hold a meaningful talks with the circle unions on the Charter of Demands immediately with the intention of solving the serious problems and also cause to issue clear and unambiguous clarifications if any is sought by the Chief PMG's office from the Directorate immediately in order to diffuse the volatile situation developed in Andhra Circle and to bring back peace and tranquility there.

 

Thanking you,

 

 

Yours Faithfully,

 

Sd/-

[K.Ragavendran]

Secretary General

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE