Central Government Employees All India Strike – Confederation report

WELL  DONE  COMRADES !   

CONGRATULATIONS & RED SALUTE !!

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT CONGRATULATES ALL THE CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES WHO MADE THE  BEGINNING OF THE TWO DAYS STRIKE A MARVELLOUS AND THUNDERING SUCCESS.

THE HISTORIC 48 HOURS NATION WIDE STRIKE COMMENCED AT 00:00 HRS ON 12.02.2014

13 LAKHS  EMPLOYEES  JOINED  THE BIGGEST STRIKE OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES AFTER 1968 ON CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES COMMON DEMANDS.

FUNCTIONING OF ALL CENTRAL GOVT. OFFICES (OTHER THAN RAILWAYS & DEFENCE) COMPLETELY PARALYSED AND CAME TO A STANDSTILL.

WARNING AND THREAT OF VICTIMISATION BY THE GOVT COULD NOT DETER THE EMPLOYEES FROM JOINING THE STRIKE.

PENT UP DISCONTENTMENT AND ANGER OF THE EMPLOYEES BURST OUT LIKE A VOLCANO.

EVERYWHERE ENTIRE EMPLOYEES ARE ON STRIKE AND IN MAJORITY OF THE STATES AND DEPARTMENTS IT IS ALMOST NEAR TOTAL.

UPA GOVERNMENT  IS NOT READY TO CONCEDE ANY OF OUR DEMANDS, JUST AS IN THE CASE OF BANK EMPLOYEES.

CONTINUE THE STRIKE ON 13TH FEBRUARY ALSO.

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT WILL MEET ON 18TH FEBRUARY AND DECIDE FUTURE COURSE OF ACTION.

      

                                                              M.KRISHNAN

                                                            Secretary General

                                Confederation Central Govt. Employees and Workers

                                                            Mob: 09447068125

                                                Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

P R E S S     S T A T E M E N T

Dated: 12th February, 2014

  

As per the report received at the Central Head Quarters of the Confederation, near about 13 lakhs Central Government Employees have commenced the two day strike from Midnight of 11th Feb. 2014. For 48 hours. The Strike action will continue upto the midnight of 13th Feb. 2014.  The functioning of the Government in the Postal, Income tax, Civil Accounts, Ground water Board, Botanical Survey of India, and many other organisations have been totally paralysed as in these departments, the offices could not even be opened .   In all other Departments of the Government of India viz. the Printing and Stationery, Indian Audit and Accounts Department, Atomic Energy Commission offices, Custom & Central Excise, Defence Accounts, Indian Bureau of Mines, Geological Survey of India, other Survey of India organisations and offices, Census, the work has been paralysed. 

The strike action became necessary due to the refusal of the Government to finalise the terms of reference of the proposed 7th CPC, grant interim relief and merger of DA with pay, inclusion  of Gramin Dak Sewaks within the purview  of the  Pay Commission and scrapping of NPS  and the settlement of the 15 point charter of demands,  The employees are agitated over the action of the Government in getting the PFRDA enacted in the Parliament  with the support of the BJP which contains the provision to bring in the existing employees and pensioners  also within its ambit.

  

During the last 5 years, Government had been outsourcing various functions to Contractors with the result presently about one third of the workforce of the Government of India is contract labours getting only a pittance of salary.  Lakhs of posts in various Departments of the Government are presently vacant due to the ban on recruitment aggravating the unemployment situation in the country.  

The Government has virtually closed down all channels of discussions with the employees by not convening the meetings of the JCM both at the National and Departmental levels.  There had been no avenue for the employees to air their grievances and seek redressal.  Even the awards of the Board of Arbitration which were in favour of employees were allowed to pend implementation for 15 years and are now being brought before the Parliament for rejection invoking the sovereign authority of the legislature. 

The incessant rise in the prices of essential commodities has eroded the value of wages fixed in 2006 phenomenally.  The price rise over the years between 2006 and 2014 is estimated to be three times, whereas the DA compensation presently is only 90%.  It has become difficult for the employees especially at the lower levels to meet even the basic requirements of a family life.  The agonising situation arising from the apathy of the Government has given rise to anger and desperation, which has been reflected in their total participation in the strike action.

The reports received from the States indicate  that   the strike was total in Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura,  Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu,  Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, ’Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, J&K, HP, Rajasthan, U.P. and more than 90% in the rest of the States. 

The National Secretariat of the Confederation is scheduled to meet on 18th Feb. to review and assess the response of the Government.  If the Government continues with its nugatory attitude, the Secretariat will be left with no other alternative but to call upon the employees to go for indefinite strike action before the general election is announced. 

M.KRISHNAN

Secretary General.

Source:http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

Confederation writes to all MP’s regarding 2 Days Strike

2014 FEBRUARY 12th & 13th 48 HOURS STRIKE

CONFEDERATION REQUESTED INTERVENTION OF MP’S – COPY OF THE LETTER SENT TO ALL MP’S

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS 

First Floor North Avenue Post Office Building 

New Delhi. 110 001. 

Website: confederationhq. Blogspot.com. 

E mail:confederation06@yahoo.co.in.

Dated: 4th February, 2014

D/14/2014(2)(MP)

Dear Sir,

The Confederation of Central Government employees and workers is the apex level organisation of all Federations/Associations/Unions of CGEs other than in the Railways and Defence establishments.  In our last National Executive meeting, we were constrained to decide to call upon our members to organise TWO DAYSs strike on 12th and 13th February, 2014 in pursuance of our charter of demands.

It was in the wake of a strike action in 1960s by the Central Govt. Employees, the Govt. of India set up the permanent negotiating machinery called JCM so that the employees will be able to raise their demands and grievances and seek settlement thereof through dialogue.  This machinery has now come to a standstill as the Govt. does not convene the meetings of the councils at the Departmental levels on one pretext or the other.  

A new set of rules were promulgated in 1993 to grant recognition to Service Associations.  Many Ministries, despite the employees organizations abiding by the stipulated conditions, have not afforded recognition to the Associations/Federations, thereby closing all channels of communication.  The JCM had the facility of referring the issues on which the Government could not agree upon to the Board of Arbitration.  

The decision/award of the Board was binding on all parties.  However, of late the Government had been rejecting the awards in favour of the employees on the specious plea of adverse impact on national economy by presenting resolutions in the Parliament.  We need not emphasise the unethical character of this approach which undermines the confidence of the employees in the fairness of the system.

The new contributory pension scheme was introduced by the Government on the plea that the pension liability has become unbearable and is a drag on the exchequer.  In our Memorandum to the Prime Minister, we had raised several issues and had pointed out that the financial outflow on account of the new scheme will be much more than the existing defined benefit scheme. We had indicated in our memorandum quite a number of aspects which would be detrimental to the interest of workers. In the debate on PFRDA Bill in the last session of Parliament. We could notice that quite number of MPs had demanded for the withdrawal of the bill itself as it only benefits the Stock market operators and entrepreneurs. Even the Standing Committee’s suggestion for incorporation of a minimum return to the employees was turned down by the Government. We are certain that the new contributory pension scheme shall be a drag on the exchequer and the scheme will turn out to be a conduct for the flow of the poor employees’ savings to the corporate houses. We appeal to you to raise your voice in the Parliament against the new contributory Pension Scheme for its anti employee and anti national characteristic.  The real purport of the bill is reflected in the decision to allow FDI to the extent of 40% in this sector. The said decision has facilities outflow of Indian savings for investment outside the country.

The 6th CPC recommendations and its implementation had given rise to various anomalies.  The employees genuinely felt that the said anomalies would be removed through discussions for which the Government had set up a committee.  The Committee despite meeting on four occasions had not been able to settle the issues; nor could it be referred to the Arbitrator. The 6th CPC recommendations were implemented with effect from 1.1.2006.  The revision of wages was due on 1.1.2011. The Government has not so far come forward to set up the 7th CPC.

It had been the age- old   practice to revise the wages of Central Government employees as and when substantial erosion takes place in the real value of wages. The 5th CPC opined that as and when the DA Component in wages crosses over 50% such revision must take place and the said Component of DA must be merged with pay. Accordingly the 6th CPC was set up and wages revised in 2006. On 1st January 2011 the Dearness allowance component in the emoluments of the employees had   reached 51%   The Government had been dilly dallying the wage revision and merger of DA with Pay which would have helped the employees to combat the soaring price rise. On 12th December 2012, the employees went on a day’s strike which received magnificent response from the rank and fill of the workers. The unbridled inflation and the consequent Price rise has made the existing Pay and allowances   incapable of making both ends meet. The Government announced its intention of setting up 7th CPC thereafter but no follow-up action ensued, leaving the employees with no alternative but to declare a 48 hours strike on 12th and 13th February 2014. As on 1.1.2014 the DA component has crossed   over 100%. The Government attitude has become untenable. On the request of the Government, the Staff side had submitted the draft terms of reference for 7th CPC.   They had also raised     the grant of interim Relief, which normally precedes the notification of any CPC. The Staff Side of the National Council had demanded the inclusion of Gramin Dak Sevaks within the ambit of the 7th CPOC, an issue which was at the core of discussion earlier in 2006. The Government has not indicated its approach on this vital issue so far as a result of which about three lakh GDS employees are in anxiety and desperation.

The Neo-liberal policies brought in its wake the unethical practice of contract labour system and  employing casual workers for perennial and permanent jobs, which is strictly prohibited by the law of the land. Government departments witnessed an overdose of this policy in the period between 2004-2014. More than one third of the work force in Govt. Sector is now composed   of such a informal workers. They are provided with pittance of wages and the huge gap in wages of the regular and the informal employees has been the root cause of inter-personnel tension and many fraudulent ventures.  Government functions are supported supposed to have an element of security and accountability. The removal of this ill- advised system had been a cry often falling on deaf ears. Besides there are quite a number of casual workers employed to carry out perennial and permanent jobs. They are to be regularised. In the postal department alone they number about 3 lakhs called as GDS. Enclosed is a brief note on Charter of demands, the non-settlement of which has resulted in the loss of confidence in the system itself and consequent compulsion to tread the path of straggle. Many of these issues are incorporated   in the agenda of National Council for not less than ten years back, begging settlement.  . The Government has made procrastination an art in itself and allow the issues longer on for years.

We seek your solidarity and support and request you to kindly raise these issues in the Parliament and ask the Government to settle the demands of the Government employees.

Thanking you 

Yours faithfully,

M.KRISHNAN 

Secretary General

Source:http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/2014/02/2014-february-12-th-13-th-48-hours.html

Twelve lakh Central Government Employees will be on 48 hr. Strike on 12th and 13th Feb. 2014 -Press Statement Issued by Confedration

PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE CONFEDERATION

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES & WORKERS.

CHQ: 1st Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building

New Delhi - 110001

E mail: confederation06@yahoo.co.in 

Website:confederationhq.blogspot.com.

Dated: 15th January, 2014.

PRESS NOTE

Twelve lakh Central Government Employees will be on 48 hr. Strike on 12th and 13th Feb. 2014 demanding settlement of 15 point Charter of Demands, the major issues being immediate wage revision and repealing the new contributory Pension Scheme by reintroducing the Statutory Defined Benefit Pension Scheme which was in vogue for more than a century.

The Government in September 2013 announced the setting up of VII-Central Pay Commission to effect Wage Revision from 1.01.2016. The employees have made it clear that prospective date of effect is not acceptable to them and the VII-CPC recommendations must of effective from 01.01.2014. The Government is yet to take a decision on the Terms of Reference of the VII-CPC viz, the merger of Dearness Allowance, composition of the VII-CPC with a labour representative, Interim Relief, the need to bring the Gramin Dak Sevalcs of Postal Department within the ambit of the CPC.etc.

The employees are agitated over the introduction of the New Pension Scheme, passing the PFRDA Bill in the last session of the Parliament, the denial to guarantee minimum pension and the provision of the new enactment to cover even the existing employees in the new contributory pension Scheme. The employees covered under the new pension scheme are apprehensive of having no pension at the end of their service career of 35 years for the return on their contributions is presently linked to the market.

The Confederation of the Central Government Employees and Workers in their National Executive Meeting held at New Delhi on 10th January, 2014 expressed their total dissatisfaction over the closure of JCM, the negotiating machinery and the consequent non-settlement of any of their demands in the last nine years. The introduction of contract labour system in carrying Governmental functions, the indiscriminate outsourcing, closure of many institutions, the total ban on creation of posts and recruitment have made regular employment inCentral Services impossible. The Confederation has therefore, decided to organise the two day strike on 12th and 13th February, 2014. The resolution adopted at the meeting of the National Executive (copy of which is enclosed), explains in detail the major issues.

M. Krishnan

 Secretary General

source-https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0rqvSYMJv2ISlFWRjctZU5raWc/edit?pli=1

PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE CONFEDERATION - 48 HOURS ALL INDIA STRIKE ON 12 AND 13 FEB 2014.

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES & WORKERS

CHQ: 1 Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building

New Delhi - 110001

E mail: confederation06@yahoo.co.in

Website:confederationhq.blogspot.com.

Dated: 15th January, 2014.

PRESS NOTE

Twelve lakh Central Government Employees will be on 48 hr. Strike on 12th and 13th Feb. 2014 demanding settlement of 15 point charter of Demands, the major issues being immediate wage revision and repealing the new contributory Pension Scheme by reintroducing the Statutory Defined Benefit Pension Scheme which was in vogue for more than a century. The Government in September 2013 announced the setting up of VII-Central Pay Commission to effect Wage Revision from 1.01.2016. 

The employees have made it clear that prospective date of effect is not acceptable to them and the VII-CPC recommendations must of effective from 01.01.2014. The Government is yet to take a decision on the Terms

of Reference of the VII-CPC viz, the merger of Dearness Allowance, composition of the VII-CPC with a labour representative, Interim Relief, the need to bring the Gramin Dak Sevaks of Postal Department within the ambit of the CPC.etc.

The employees are agitated over the introduction of the New Pension Scheme, passing the PFRDA Bill in the last session of the Parliament, the denial to guarantee minimum pension and the provision of the new enactment to cover even the existing employees in the new contributory pension Scheme. The employees covered under the new pension scheme are apprehensive of having no pension at the end of their service career of 35 years for the return on their contributions is presently linked to the market.

The Confederation of the Central Government Employees and Workers in their National Executive Meeting held at New Delhi on 10th January, 2014 expressed their total dissatisfaction over the closure of JCM, the negotiating machinery and the consequent non-settlement of any of their demands in the last nine years, The introduction of contract labour system in carrying Governmental functions, the indiscriminate outsourcing, closure of many institutions, the total ban on creation of posts and recruitment have made regular employment in Central Services impossible. 

The Confederation has therefore, decided to organise the two day strike on 12th and 13th February, 2014. The resolution adopted at the meeting of the National Executive (copy of which is enclosed), explains in detail the major issues.

M.Krishnan

Secretary General.

Source:http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

Minutes of the 7th CPC Seminar on Common Demands COC KARNATAKA

The seminar on 7th CPC common demands held at Income Tax office Bangalore on 18/12/13 which was presided over by Com S.Radhakrishna Working President COC Karnataka.

The seminar  was attended by following affiliates of COC Karnataka.

1) All India Postal Employees Union.
2) Income Tax Employees Federation.
3) Postal Accounts Employees Association.
4) RMS Employees Association. 
5) Central Ground Water Board Employees Association.
6) Indian Audit & Accounts Employees Association
7) Survey of India Employees Association.

Confederation sought merger of 100 percent DA with effect from Jan 2014

Confederation sought merger of 100 percent DA with effect from Jan 2014

A workshop organised by the Confederation of Central Government Gazetted Officers’ Organisations, Tamil Nadu region, has finalised the common minimum demands to be placed before the 7 Central Pay Commission, including a just and equitable pay at the entry level of Group ‘B’ officers.

GET READY FOR STRIKE IF GOVERNMENT REJECTS DA MERGER, GDS INCLUSION & INTERIM RELIEF

   Eventhough 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.

Confederation News: ENSURE MASS SCALE PARTICIPATION IN THE 2013 DECEMBER 12TH PARLIAMENT MARCH

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

Ref: CIRCULAR NO. 9

Dated - 13.11.2013

To
All CHQ Officers
All General Secretaries C-O-Cs
All Chief Executives of Affiliated Unions

ENSURE MASS SCALE PARTICIPATION IN THE 2013 DECEMBER 12TH PARLIAMENT MARCH

Dear Comrades,
   Intensive campaign and preparations are in full swing all over the country for making the 2013 December 12th Parliament March organized by all the Central Trade Unions an unforgettable event in the Trade Union history of our country. The rally is organized as a continuation of the united struggle of the working class of India against the neo-liberal policies of the Central Government.

Upgradation of Grade Pay of LDC & UDC in the Administrative Branch of Government of India Offices.

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi - 110001
Website : www.confederationhq.blogspot.com
Email : confederation06@yahoo.in

Patron S.K.Vyas 09868244035    President K.K.N.Kutty 0981148303    Secretary General M.Krishnan 09447068125

Ref: Confdn/LDC-UDC/2013

Dated : 25.10.2013

To
The Secretary,
Department of Expenditure,
Ministry of Finance,
North Block, New Delhi-110001

Sub: Upgradation of Grade Pay of LDC & UDC in the Administrative Branch of Government of India Offices.

Sir,
   This is in reference to the letter dated 14/10/2013 sent to you, on the above subject, by the All India Association of Administrative Staff, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, Government of India (Copy enclosed).

PENSION BILL OR PENSIONLESS BILL? - Confederation News.

   Finally the ruling Congress party and the main opposition Party BJP joined together and passed the  Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill in the Parliament. In the year 1982 on 17th December, the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court consisting of Justice (s) Y. B. Chandrachud, V. D. Tulzapurkar, O. Chinnappa Reddy. D. A. Desai and Bahrul Islam delivered the historic judgment on pension in the D. S. Nakara case, which declared as follows:

   “(i) Pension is neither a bounty nor a matter of grace depending upon the sweet will of the employer and it is Fundamental right (ii) Pension is not an ex-gratia payment, but it is payment for past service rendered (iii) It is a social welfare measure rendering socio-economic justice to those who in the heyday of their life ceaselessly toiled for the employer on an assurance that in their old age they would not be left in lurch.”

   After 30 years, the bill passed by Parliament categorically proclaims that the Contributory Pension Scheme introduced w.e.f 01.01.2004 will not give any guarantee for a minimum pension of 50% of the pay drawn at the time of retirement of the employee. Nor does it provide for the protection of the family members in the form of family pension in the event of death. New pension is going to make the social security uncertain and dependent on market forces. Government compulsorily imposed the scheme on one section of the employees in a most discriminatory manner, inspite of the fact that such scheme had been a failure in many countries including Chile, U K and even in USA. In USA the entire pension wealth (fund) has been wiped out leaving no pension due to the economic recession and share market crash. In Argentine the contributory scheme which was introduced at the instance of IMF was replaced with the defined benefit pension scheme. In majority of the countries “pay as you go” is the system of pension.

MACP JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING AND DECISIONS.

 

   The joint Committee set up by the National Anomaly Committee to consider the MACP related issues met on 27th July, 2012. The Staff Side was represented at the meeting by the following comrades:
 
Com. M. Raghaviah
Com. Umraomal Purohit
Com. S.K. Vyas
Com. C. Srikumar
Com. K.K.N. Kutty
Com. Shivgopal Misra
Com. Bhosle
 
   The report prepared by the sub-committee after three rounds of discussions was reviewed at the meeting. The points that came up for discussion and the decisions taken are as under:-