15/1089-90,
VASUNDHARA, VASUNDHARA (P.O.), Dt. GHAZIABAD (U.P), PIN-201012
Reference:
AIA/Circular-26/2013
Dated: 1st December 2013
To
Unit
Secretaries,
Members
& Spl. Invitees – NE &
Members of
Women’s Committee
Dear
Comrades,
Dear
Comrades,
The Government’s announcement on
setting up of 7th Central Pay Commission has diverted the attention
of the government employees from the miseries and the agonies the 6th
CPC gave them to a new hope of setting things right.
There is a concerted effort by
vested interests to belittle the role of the struggle that the employees waged
on the platform of Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers and
portray the announcement of the Government setting up the 7th CPC as
the government’s concern for the welfare of the employees.
It is our bounden duty to remind one
and all of the number of Struggles that we had since December 2010 on the 14
point Charter of Demands that was finalised in the meeting of the National
Executive of the Confederation at Mumbai. The massive rally, independently, by
the Confederation on 26th July 2012 and the successful one day
strike by the Central Government employees on 12th December 2012
forced even those who were, till the other day, feeling shy of demanding
setting up of 7th CPC to demand it.
The Government, as you know, held a
meeting with Staff Side, JCM on 24th October 2013 on possible terms
of reference of the CPC. The staff side sought a draft from the government. At
the same time the staff side evolved a consensus amongst themselves on what
should the terms of reference of the 7th CPC be. The same is
available in Confederation website.
The Confederation, no doubt, want 1st
Jan 2011 to be the date of effect for the wage revision – ie wage revision in
every five years. The government has already announced that the date of effect
would be from 2016. This is not acceptable to us. We could persuade other
participating organisations in JCM to come around to demand 1.1.2014 as date of
effect as the CPC may be formally constituted by that time only.
What the CPC would offer to us
depend on many factors – starting from the intensity of the struggles that we
could launch and sustain on the basic demands such as need based minimum wage
based on the actual prices prevailing, date of effect, DA merger, interim
relief, removal of anomalies inflicted by 6 CPC, doing away with Pay Band and
Grade Pay system etc to what kind of government we would be voting for in the
coming general elections. Strengthening the democratic movement and increasing
the presence of those forces that have always championed the cause of the
workers would definitely help us in getting the best results of the 7 CPC. We
have seen who opposed and who supported the PFRDA bill when it was taken up for
voting in the Parliament. (Though almost all parties – with the exception of
Congress – spoke against the bill, only left parties and BJD voted against it
in the Parliament).
Wishful thinking will not take us anywhere.
What is required is programmatic approach. The Confederation of Central Govt
Employees and Workers met in its Secretariat on 28th November 2013
and decided that in pursuance of the
Charter of Demands (which was updated by the Secretariat) the employees
would have to embark upon a series of agitations including strike.
The Confederation Circular is
enclosed. The Charter of Demands and the actions decided by the Secretariat of
the Confederation is given in the Circular.
All the Units are requested to start
campaign on the charter of demands, preparing the members for the struggles
ahead. All the Units are further requested to make use of the visits of the
Confederation leaders to their station and co-ordinate with local COCs in this
regard.
With
greetings,
Yours fraternally
(M.S.Raja)
Secretary General
CONFEDERATION OF
CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
1st Floor,
North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001
Website:
www.confederationhq.blogspot.com
CIRCULAR NO. 10
DATED – 29.11.2013
GET READY FOR STRIKE
CONFEDERATION
NATIONAL SECRETARIAT DECIDES TO ORGANISE PHASED AGITATIONAL PROGRAMMES
CULMINATING IN STRIKE
NO COMPROMISE
ON THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF 7th CPC SUBMITTED BY THE STAFF SIDE
1. The National
Secretariat of the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers
met at New Delhi on 28.11.2013 and reviewed the situation arising out of the
Government’s announcement of Seventh Central Pay Commission and the subsequent
developments thereon.
2. Even though
Government has announced constitution of 7th Central Pay Commission,
the appointment is yet to take place. In the meanwhile one round of discussion
was held with Secretary, DOP&T on terms of reference. Subsequently, the
staff side, JCM National Council has submitted a unanimous proposal on the
items to be included in the terms of reference of the 7th CPC, which
includes (i) date of effect as 01.01.2014 (2) merger of DA with pay (3) grant
of interim relief (4) inclusion of GDS under the ambit of 7th CPC
(5) statutory pension for those entered into service on or after 01.01.2004 (6)
settlement of anomalies of 6th CPC (7) cashless/hassle-free medicare
facilities etc.
Government while announcing the 7th CPC has
made it clear that the date of effect will be 01.01.2016. Further nothing has
been mentioned about DA merger and interim relief. Regarding GDS the declared
stand of the Government is that GDS are not civil servants and in the past also
every time when CPC is appointed, the Government refused to include them in the
Pay commission. Last time also inspite of the strong protest and agitational
programmes conducted by NFPE and Postal JCA, the Government has appointed a
bureaucratic committee. Regarding statutory pension to those who entered into
service on or after 01.01.2004, the Government’s stand is well known and it may
refuse to include this item also in the terms of reference.
This being the position, our past experience shows that
unless and until the demands raised in the staff side proposal submitted to
Government on terms of reference of the CPC is backed by serious agitational
programmes, rallying the entire Central Government Employees and create
compulsion on the Government to accept our justified stand, there is every
possibility of Government rejecting the above proposal.
Further all of us are aware that the political situation
in the country is gradually getting in election mode. This is bringing forth
before the working class movement a crucial task of front-loading our class
issues in the ensuring political battle. We have to keep in mind that the
corporate class and corporate controlled media has started making effort for
relegating the working class issues and the economic policy related issues in
particular to the background. It is our duty to bring the demands of the
working class to the fore-front and conduct intensive campaign against those
policies and also against those who are supporting the neo-liberal
globalization policies. Confederation of Central Government Employees &
Workers being the part and parcel of the mainstream of the working class of our
country has got an added responsibility to rally the entire Central Government
Employees in the joint struggle against the anti-people and anti-worker
policies of the Government which shall ultimately lead to a change in the
political equation ensuring implementation of pro-people, pro-worker
alternative policy.
Taking into Consideration all the above facts and
circumstances, the National Secretariat of the Confederation of Central
Government Employees & Workers met at new Delhi on 28.11.2013 took a
unanimous decision to go for strike if the Government refuse to accept the staff
side proposal on terms of reference. Confederation further decided to
organize series of phased programme of action and campaign from now onwards so
that the employees will be ready to go for strike on short notice.
It is further decided that Confederation shall not go for
any compromise on the demands raised in the proposal submitted by the JCM Staff
side on terms of reference of 7th CPC.
3. The following are the important decision of the National
Secretariat.
1.
The
earlier decision to defer the strike ballot after the announcement of the 7th
CPC by the Government is ratified. Under the given circumstances the decision
taken to defer the ballot was perfectly right.
2.
The
modification made in the Confederation Charter of Demands regarding date of
effect of the 7th CPC (i.e. from 01.01.2011 to 01.01.2014) is
approved as it was necessitated for arriving at unanimity among the staff side
on term of reference which will strengthen further the unity of all Central
Government organizations including Railways and Defence.
3.
Approved
the modified Charter of Demands of the Confederation which includes the terms
of reference submitted by the Staff side to the Government (copy enclosed
Annexure – I)
4.
Decided
to conduct the following phased programme of campaign and agitational
programmes.
(a) Convening the Managing bodies/Executive Committees of all
affiliated organizations to discuss and ratify the Confederation decision to go
for agitational programmes culminating in strike.
(b) Sector-wise/organisation-wise intensive campaign among
the employees by conducting squad work, General body meetings, conventions,
postering and issuing printed pamphlets, lunch hour meetings etc, explaining
the demands raised in the charter of demands and also the necessity to go for
strike if our demands on terms of reference are not accepted. All India/State
Leaders of the affiliated organizations shall under-take extensive tour as part
of campaign programme.
(c) The campaign tour programme finalized by the Secretariat
meeting earlier is to be implemented. Whereever State level and C-O-C level
conventions are yet to be held, it should be held before 20.12.2013. All
State Committees and C-O-Cs are requested to organize conventions immediately.
The name of the Confederation National leaders who are attending the
conventions is given in the enclosed circular. Date of the Conventions may be
fixed in consultation with the concerned comrade.
(d) Decided to conduct nationwide day-long dharna
programme at maximum centres, particularly at the state capitals on 2013
December 19th (19.12.2013) with massive participation of
employees. Effort is to be made for maximum media coverage of the programmes.
(e) Decided to organize mass rallies at all State capitals
(and if possible at District Capitals also) before 31.12.2013. National leaders
of the Confederation and other trade Union leaders may be invited to address
the rallies. All effort should be made to make the rally a grand success
ensuring maximum participation of employees.
(f) Decided to conduct press conferences at all State
capitals (other centres also if possible) by the State committees/C-O-Cs to
explain the justification of demands and also the proposed strike action.
(g) Decided to organsie nationwide five days relay dharna
at various centres of each city during the period from 30th December
2013 to 3rd January 2014 (30.12.2013 to 03.01.2014)
(h) Mass dharna at New Delhi on 9th January 2014 by All India
Leaders of Confederation and leaders of all affiliated organizations and C-O-Cs
and also maximum number of employees from Delhi and nearby states.
(i) Extended National Executive meeting of Confederation will
be held at New Delhi on 10.01.2014 (10th January 2014) for declaration of the
strike date and also the duration of the strike. All the National
Secretariat members of the Confederation, All the C-O-C Representatives and all
the Chief Executives of the affiliated organizations of Confederation shall
attend the mass dharna on 9th January and the Extended National
Executive meeting on 10th January 2014 WITHOUT FAIL. (Please
book the up and down ticket immediately to ensure the participation on both
days i.e. on 9th & 10th January 2014) If any
organisation or C-O-C wants participation of more comrades in the extended
National Executive as observers it will be allowed subject to a maximum of
five) Participation in the Dharna is allowed without any limit.
5.
Decided
to extend full support and solidarity to the proposed strike action of NFPE
& FNPO on demands of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) and Casual, Part-time,
Contingent employees. It is decided to request the Postal JCA to adjust the
date of the strike so that it will be a strike of all Central Government
Employees.
6.
Decided
to file a case in the Kolkata High Court challenging the PFRDA Bill passed by
the Parliament jointly with the All India State Government Employees Federation
(AISGEF). The methodology for raising funds for meeting the expenses for the
conducting of the case up to Supreme Court will be decided in the next meeting.
C-O-C West Bengal is authorized to assist the National Secretariat in
completing the formalities for filling the case in the Kolkata High Court in
consultation with AISGEF.
7.
Decided
to mobilize maximum employees for participating in the 12th December
Parliament March organized by the Central Trade Unions against the anti-people,
anti-worker policies of the Central Government. C-O-C Delhi and C-O-Cs of
nearby states and also all affiliated organizations are requested to ensure
large scale participation of the employees in the 12th December
Parliament March. It is decided that each organisation shall conduct workers
meeting at all important centres in Delhi and nearby states for mobilizing
maximum employees to participate in the march.
8.
Decided
to extend maximum support and solidarity to the 11th December 2013
Parliament March organized by the AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) demanding settlement of GDS
demands. Delhi C-O-C is requested to extent maximum support for the successful
conduct of the GDS Parliament March.
9.
The
National Secretariat placed on record its sincere thanks to all the state
committees/C-O-Cs and also all the affiliated organisations for making the All
India Trade Union Education Camp conducted at Mumbai on 14th &
15th November 2013 and also the All India Women’s Convention held at
Delhi on 25th & 26th November 2013 a grand success, especially
to the C-O-C Mumbai and C-O-C Delhi for providing all the infra-structural
facilities in an excellent manner.
10. Decided to
appeal to all affiliated organisations to clear the quota dues towards
Confederation CHQ before 31.12.2013. Financial Secretary shall issue
separate notices to each organisation indicating the total dues to be remitted.
11. It is decided
that Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General shall represent the Confederation as
an official delegate in the International Congress of Southern Initiative on
Globalisation and Trade Union Rights (SIGTUR) to be held at Perth, Australia
from 2nd to 6th December 2013.
The National Secretariat meeting was presided over by
Com. K. K. N. Kutty, the National President. Com. S. K. Vyasji, Advisor, was
present and gave his valuable guidance for arriving at correct conclusion and
decisions on each agenda items. Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, presented
the organizational report.
Yours Comradely,
(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
ANNEXURE – I
MODIFIED CHARTER OF DEMANDS OF CONFEDERATION
1.
Accept the terms of reference of 7th CPC,
submitted by the staff side, National Council
JCM.
(a) To examine the
existing structure of pay, allowances and other benefits/facilities,
retirement
benefits like Pension, Gratuity, other terminal benefits of various categories
of
Central
Government Employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of Postal Department.
(b) To work out the
comprehensive revised pay packet for the categories of Central
Government
employees including GDS as on 1.1.2014.
(c) The Commission
shall determine the pay structure, benefits, facilities, retirement benefits
etc.
taking into account the need to provide minimum wage with reference to the
recommendation
of the 15th Indian Labour Conference (1957) and the subsequent judicial
pronouncement
of the honorable Supreme Court there-on, as on 1.1.2014.
(d) To determine
the Interim Relief needed to be sanctioned immediately to the Central
Government
employees including GDS.
(e) To
determine the percentage of Dearness allowance/Dearness Relief immediately to
be
merged with Pay and
pension including GDS.
(f) To settle the
anomalies raised in various fora of JCM.
(g)
To work out the improvements needed to the existing
retirement benefits, like pension,
death cum
retirement gratuity, family pension and other terminal or recurring
benefits
maintaining
parity amongst past, present and future pensioners and family pensioners
including those who entered service on
or after 1.1.2004.
(h) To recommend methods for providing cashless/hassle-free
Medicare facilities to the
employees and Pensioners including
Postal pensioners.
2. Ensure every
five year revision of wages of Central Government Employees in future.
3. (a) Regularisation of Gramin Dak Sevaks of the
Postal Department and grant of Civil Servant
status, statutory pension and all
other benefits at par with regular employees.
(b) Regularisation and revision of wages of casual
and contract workers.
4. Compassionate
appointment – removal of restrictions imposed by Government.
5. JCM and Anomaly
Committee Functioning.
6. Fill up all
vacant posts and creation of new posts wherever justified.
7. Stop
downsizing, outsourcing, contractorisation and privatization of Government
functions.
8. Stop the move
to introduce performance related Pay (PRP) system, Extend PLB Bonus for
all, removing
bonus ceiling.
9. Revise OTA and
Night Duty Allowance rates and clothing rates.
10. Implement arbitration awards.
11. Five promotions to all.
12. Rescind the PFRDA Act. Ensure statutory Pension for all.
13. Stop price rise. Revive and extend public distribution
system for all.
14. Stop trade Union victimization.
15. Ensure Right to strike.
****
