02 Tuesday Oct 2018
Posted in TU News - India
The 70,000 Kisan March started from Haridwar reached Delhi border, but were stopped by the police and semi-military forces by using teargas and lathi charge. The kisans are demanding writing off agricultural loans, one-and-half times prices for their producrs etc. which have been promised by BJP at the election time. They are also demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Committee report.
The kisans are determined to reach Delhi. If stopped, the government will have to face the Kisan fury.
28 Friday Sep 2018
Posted in TU News, TU News - India
The National Convention of Workers under the aegis of Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations held at Mavlankar Hall, New Delhi on 28-09-2018 has decided for a two day strike on 8th and 9th January, 2019. A resolution adopted by the convention stated that the NDA government did not bother even for the slightest change in their pro-corporate neo liberal policies after the three day Maha Dharna in November,2017 participated by lakhs of workers. The resolution pin-pointed the drastic amendments being made in the hard fought earned labour laws and privatisation of PSUs. The convention was addressed by all leaders of the Central Trade Unions including Com.Tapansen MP, General Secretary, CITU.
AIBDPA fully supports the decision and calls upon all its units to organize solidarity demonstration on 08-01-2019.
06 Friday Jul 2018
Posted in TU News - India
The central trade unions – INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, UTUC, LPF and MEC has called for one day strike on 20th July 2018 on the following demands:
1. Implement the declared minimum wage of 13896/- strictly in all factories, institutions, shops. With the rising inflation announce, Rs. 20000/- as the minimum wage.
2. Prevent rising inflation. Give ration cards and residences to all laborers.
3. Security should be strictly implemented at the workplace. Adhere strictly to labor laws. Trade unions are to be registered in 45 days as per rules.
4. Delhi Government must constitute trilateral committees fairly.
5. Central Government must withdraw all anti-worker changes in labor laws. No to ‘Fixed Term Employment’.
6. Stop contractualisation of regular jobs. Confirm contract laborers / employees in the same place. Apply equal pay for equal work according to the Supreme Court verdict.
7. Make permanent recruitment of officers and staff in labor department and improve its functioning. Prevent corruption. Industrial disputes can’t be delayed incessantly. Labor Courts should be sent to the District Court.
8. All workers should be given at least Rs. 3000 / – as monthly pension. Apply Old Pension Scheme.
9. Increase the bonus limit. Remove bar on gratuity & bonus.
10. Finish discrimination with women. Manage special security for women. Make adequate hostels for women workers. Give equal pay for equal work. In every institute, sufficient women’s toilets and crèches for children should be made. Constitute Complaint Committees against sexual harassment at work sites.
11. Scheme workers declare Anganwadi, Asha Workers, Mid-Day Meal etc. as government employees. Benefit from minimum wage, social security and all other labor facilities.
12. Register vendors give them licenses. In the name of making ‘smart city’, ban on forced eviction by the municipal corporation and police.
13. Register the construction workers in 30 days. Restore the paused registration process. Make a payment in favor of beneficiaries in the deadline. Separate staff should be recruited in the board. Enter the opposite opinion in the board meeting, make it transparent.
14. Stop privatization of education, health, electricity, water, DTC, transport and other public sector. Take back the decision of privatized institutions. Remove restrictions on recruitment in government sector Increase employment opportunities. Stop FDI in all areas.
15. Apply the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission on all employees of Delhi Government.
16. Apply the Patients Care Alliance ‘PCA’ as per the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission on health workers.
17. Provide full status of workers to the cleaning and health workers employed in MCD. Apply the benefits to all. Ensure wages on time.
18. Give the Right to Trade Union to Delhi Metro Management staff. Fix the Delhi Metro management for irregularities in increments. Apply a single policy to a corporation.
19. Formation of Board for Welfare of Drivers, Conductors and Helper working in Private Transport Area. Union representatives should appointed as a member in the board.
20. Prevent discrimination on communal and caste grounds.
21. Do GST 0% on life saving medicines. Medical& Sales representatives to be given the status of skilled employee. The work of 8 hours should be determined.
22. Apply 10 percent service charge in the hotel industry. Give its benefits to the employee.
23. Security Guards should be included schedule employment and set up a separate board.
24. Make laws for domestic workers. Give them employee status.
25. The Delhi Government constitutes the Board for the abundance of workers working in the unorganized sector. All workers should be benefited by registering the benefits.
We extend our support and solidarity to the fully justified strike.
06 Wednesday Jun 2018
Posted in General, TU News - India
The Central government, which was sleeping or keeping silence for the last 16 days while the entire three lakh Grameen Dak Sevak were on complete strike causing shut down of more than 1,29,500 Branch and Sub Offices in the country and postal service at standstill, has issued a Press Release to day at about 15.35 hours intimating approval of the wage structure and allowances as recommended by the Kamalesh Chandra Committee, thus partly accepting the demands raised by the workers. The GDS All India Unions, which have spearheaded the strike fully supported by the regular workers, called off the strike after the government’s decision.
Hearty Congratulations to the GDS workers who were on strike and to the Postal workers who wholeheartedly supported the same.
The Government Press Release is reproduced below:
PIB PRESS RELEASE
Cabinet approves Revision in the wage structure and allowances of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of Posts
Posted On: 06 JUN 2018 3:16PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has approved the revision in the wage structure and allowances of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of Posts. The revision in the wage structure would entail an estimated expenditure of Rs 1257.75 crore (Non recurring expenditure – Rs 860.95 crore and Recurring expenditure of Rs.396.80 crore) during 2018 -19.
3.07 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks will be benefitted by this wage revision.
Details:
i. Time Related Continuity allowance (TRCA) structure and slabs have been rationalised. The total GDSs have been brought under two categories viz. Branch Postmasters (BPMs) and other than Branch Postmasters namely Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPMs).
ii. The present 11 TRCA slabs will be merged into only three TRCA Slabs with two levels each for BPMs and other than BPMs.
iii. Introduction of new Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) will be as below:
Minimum TRCA of two types of proposed categories of GDSs as per working hours / levels
S.No. Category Minimum TRCA for 4 Hours / Level 1 Minimum TRCA for 5 Hours / Level 2
1 BPM Rs. 12000/- Rs. 14500/-
2 ABPM/Dak Sevaks Rs. 10000/- Rs. 12000/-
Dearness Allowance will continue to be paid as a separate component, and also revised from time to time whenever it is revised for Central Government Servants.
It is decided to continue the calculation of the ex-gratia bonus by applying the calculation ceiling of Rs.7000 as basic TRCA + DA till such time a new scheme is devised.
Arrears for the period 1.1.2016 to the date of implementation will be paid by increasing the basic TRCA drawn during the period by a factor of 2.57. The arrears will be paid in one instalment.
vii. Annual increase at the rate of 3% and the same may be given on 1st January or 1st July of every year as the case may be based on the one time written request of GDSs.
A new Risk and hardship Allowance has been introduced. Other allowances Viz. Office maintenance allowance, Combined duty allowance, Cash conveyance charges, Cycle maintenance allowance, Boat allowance and Fixed Stationery Charges have been revised.
Implementation strategy and targets:
The revision would result in improving the wages, allowances and discharge benefits of Gramin Dak Sevaks resulting in providing efficient & cost-effective basic postal facilities in the rural area. The proposed increased emoluments will enable him to improve his socio-economic standing.
Impact:
The Branch Post Offices are the fulcrum for provision of Communications and financial services in the village and are located in remote areas. The Post Master has to deal with large sums while making payments to customers; hence accountability is already built into his work. The enhanced remuneration will increase the sense of responsibility. Moreover, with the roll out of the India Post Payment Bank (IPPB), the CDS network is expected to play a key role in the process of financial inclusion of the rural population.
Background:
The Extra Departmental system in the Department of Posts was established more than150 years ago to provide basic, economical and efficient postal services in the rural areas where there was no justification for engaging full time regular employees. One Lakh Twenty-Nine Thousand Three Hundred forty-six (1,29,346) Extra-departmental Branch post offices are primarily manned by Gramin Dak Sevak Branch Postmasters. In addition, Gramin Dak Sevaks other than Branch Postmasters are also working in Branch, Sub and Head Post offices. The main features of the engagement of Gramin Dak Sevaks are that they work for part time ranging from 3 to 5 hours per day and supplement their income from other vocations so as to have adequate means of livelihood for themselves and their families. They remain in service up to the age of 65 years.
04 Monday Jun 2018
Posted in General, TU News - India
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Almost the entire two and half lakhs Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) workers, who runs the Postal Services in the rural areas and partially in the cities, are completely on strike for the last two weeks since 22nd May 2018, demanding implementation of the Kamalesh Chandra Committee report on the wage and service conditions of the GDS. The report was submitted on November 2016 to the Government, which have some favorable recommendations. While the government implemented the recommendations of the VII Central Pay Commission, which are mostly retrogressive, for the regular employees stating that the committee reports are treated as ‘Awards’, the GDS Committee report is not implemented.
The entire rural postal service is paralyzed. No letters, money orders, parcels, speed posts, registered articles delivered. About 1,30,000 Sub and branch Post Offices in the country closed due to strike. Still the government is silent and is not prepared to meet the unions, discuss and settle the issues.
Despite their difficulties, the common people support the striking workers, well knowing under what conditions and negligent low wages they are working without any benefits that the workers are eligible. They understand the wage slavery imposed on the GDS workers.
All the trade unions in the country and political parties are supporting the poor underpaid GDS workers’ strike; But the government is still silent and unresponsive. It was in the same way when it dealt with the demands of the kisans and other workers.
The GDS workers are firm in their decision to continue the indefinite strike till their fully justified demands are met. The regular employees, who withdrew from the strike after a few days,are fully in solidarity with the striking GDS comrades.
The central government should immediately discuss with the union leaders and concede the fully justified demands, so that the strike can be ended and the Postal services restored.
02 Saturday Jun 2018
Posted in TU News - India
Views of the GDS March at New Delhi on 1st June 2018
02 Saturday Jun 2018
Posted in Postal Service, TU News - India
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About two and half lakhs of Gramin Dak Sevaks in the country are on an Indefinite strike from 22nd May 2018 demanding implementation of the favourable recommendations of the Kamalesh Chandra Committee, which was submitted in November 2016 to the government.
The exploitation of the GDS continues since the colonial days. At that time they were called EDAs ie. Extra Departments Agents. They were not treated as departmental or even a worker. Despite getting independence, the governments at the centre since 1947, have not conceded the genuine demands of the EDA/GDS for granting civilian status, minimum wage, gratuity as per government act, leave, allowances etc. It is almost wage slavery.
The GDS are on strike, because all other efforts have failed to move the government. The regular employees in Kerala joined the strike in solidarity and support for 10 days, a commitment which is appreciated by all. As per official report, more than 96% of the GDS in the country are on strike. They are determined to continue the struggle to achieve their long pending demands.
Almost all the newspapers, trade unions, mass organisations and the common people are fully supporting the demand of the GDS. Even the dailies and the media controlled by the corporates have not opposed the strike as is usual with them, but has written editorials and articles in support of the same. The people are supporting the GDS strike, despite the various difficulties faced by them because of the strike. M.P.s, MLAs, and other public figures are making their presence in the struggle premises and expressing their support to the strike. The entire central trade unions are supporting the strike.
The Modi government, which has to take the decision is SILENT! 12 days of strike and not even a discussion at the highest level and decision! It is a heartless and anti-worker government.
It is a government of the corporates, by the corporates and for the corporates! The people of the lakhs of villages, who are daily being served by these poor GDS, are watching the cruel deal and injustice of the government to their long-time friend, the GDS. There is no doubt that they will show their anger and revenge, when the time comes.
We demand the central government to immediately call the leaders, discuss their demand and settle the same amicably. The GDS workers are determined and will continue the indefinite strike till the sole demand is conceded. We seek the support of the entire country to this fully justified struggle of the GDS to be treated as a human being instead of a wage slave, as being exploited in the colonial days.
24 Thursday May 2018
Posted in General, TU News, TU News - India
New Delhi, May 23: The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the police firing on people protesting against the Sterlite Copper Industry in Thoothukudi, Tamilnadu, which has led to the death of twelve people and injuries to over a hundred. The brutality of the state police is revealed by the fact that many of those killed and injured have bullet injuries on their heads and faces.
The protests arose because of the inadequate response of the state administration to the genuine apprehensions of the people concerning air, water and ground contamination. The Polit Bureau demands that plant should be shut down immediately. The state government should hold talks with all stakeholders.
All those responsible for this merciless shooting down of protesters should be held accountable and immediate legal proceedings should be launched against them. The enquiry announced to probe these brutal killings should be headed by a sitting judge of the Madras High Court.
28 Wednesday Mar 2018
Posted in General, TU News - International, WORLD NEWS
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Massive marches by students were held in all cities in US demanding complete control / ban on guns in the back ground many school children killed in the recent past due to gun firing in schools. Demonstrators hold signs during a “March for Our Lives” rally in support of gun control, Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Chicago. Students and activists across the country planned events Saturday in conjunction with a Washington march spearheaded by teens from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
According to organisers, over 800 March For Our Lives events were held in the US and around the globe — from the United Kingdom across the Atlantic to India, Japan, Ghana, Australia, Vietnam, Argentina, Israel and many other countries.
26 Monday Mar 2018
Posted in TU News
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Kozhikode : Employees and officers of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) are going to observe three days strike from March 26 at the call of United Forum of RRB Unions. The main issues of the strike are privatisation of Regional Rural Banks, introduction of Pension, compassionate appointments and regularisation of temporary workers.
Regional Rural Banks Act has been amended by the present NDA Government and with that amendment, 49 % of the share of RRBs can be privatised. Representatives of the private share holders can be appointed to the director board of the banks. Regional Rural banks have been playing a tremendous role in implementing poverty alleviation programmes of the Government. The rural poor of our country have utilised regional rural banks as place for their limited financial transactions. This institution is going to be handed over to corporates on a platter. The Life of the farming community especially the small and marginal farmers who have adversely affected by the neoliberal policies being pursued by the Government will further worsened if RRBs are privatized.
The salary and other benefits of the Gramin bank employees were equated with the employees of the scheduled commercial banks as an outcome of the national industrial tribunal award (NIT) 1990. But pension is not introduced as a retirement benefit to Gramin bank employees. Gramin Bank employees are waging strong struggle for introduction of pension. Two High courts of the country have given judgment in favour of the employees. But the government, instead of honouring the judgment, took the case to supreme court.
As the next stage of agitation, Gramin bank employee and officers, under the banner of United Forum of RRB Unions, are going to observe three days strike from March 26. All India general council of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions meeting at Kozhikode from March 23 to 26 extend solidarity and support to the three days strike of RRB employees. This General Council demand the central government to settle the issues of the Gramin bank employees, without any more delay. (Press Report)
