HISTORY OF P&T UNION MOVEMENT

NOTES ON HISTORY OF P&T MOVEMENT

1904 : Babu Tarapada Mukherjee submitted first memorandum on problems of employees in Kolkata GPO. The memorandum was signed by the employees, who on being asked by the Presidency Postmaster withdrew their signature. Babu Tarapada boldly faced the queries of the PPM. Some of the problems were redressed.

1905 : Postal Club was established in Bombay (presently Mumbai).

1906 : i) A meeting was held to form an organization in Kolkata at the initiative of Babu Tarapada. But no decision could be made for the fear of the employees.

ii) In the second meeting also no decision could be taken.

iii) Indian Telegraph Association was formed at the initiative of Henry Barton. This was the first Govt recognized organization.

1907 : i) Second memorandum was prepared and submitted by Babu Tarapada. This time most of the employees signed the memorandum.

ii) A demand was placed before the authorities to get permission for formation of Postal Club.

1908 : i) The Telegraphists went on continuous strike at the call of Indian Telegraph Association.

ii) Babu Tarapada Mukherjee called upon the Postal Signallers not to perform the job of Telegraphists during strike. The Postmaster General threatened Babu Tarapada, who was transferred to Purnea at once. But the incident created positive impact. Babu Tarapada Mukherjee handed over charge as SPM, Entally. He acquired a rented house at 162, Bowbazar Street and established the Calcutta Postal Club in first part of May 1908 and left for Purnea. This club acted as union till 1920.

iii) Postmen in Kolkata went on strike for wage revision owing to price-rise.

iv) Organisation was grown in various places ---

Postal League was formed in Dhacca at the initiative of Babu Sarat Chandra Sen, organisation was built up in Bombay, Ahmedabad, Satara, Kanpur, Lahore, Lucknow, Madras and other places.

1913 : Third memorandum was prepared and submitted on the demands of Postal and RMS workers like wage revision, time test and others.

1918 : Postmen of Bombay went on strike which continued for 145 days. The striking employees sought for advice from V.G.Dalvi, who advised to form a union. This was the first step towards formation of Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union.

1919 : Dada Ghosh (Bhupendranath Ghosh) entered into service. India Rules 1919 was introduced. In it’s Section 96(B) conduct rules of Govt. employees were incorporated.

1920 : i) Postal Inquiry Committee was formed by the Govt to examine the service conditions of Postal Workers.

ii) The leaders of Postal Workers from various parts of the country came over to Simla to give witness to Postal Inquiry Committee. They met and discussed on formation of All India Organisation. Babu Tarapada drafted the constitution in consultation with all the leaders present. Leaders agreed to form All India Union by holding conference. The draft constitution was sent to various states to get it discussed and adopted.

All India Post Office and RMS Union was formed in the All India Conference held in Delhi from 24^th September 1920 to 26^th September 1920.

1921 : i) All India Conference was held at Lahore. Babu Tarapada Mukherjee was elected as President of that A.I.C. At that time, wife of Babu Tarapada Mukherjee was in death-bed. He was in dilemma about what to do. But Sulakshna Debi encouraged her husband so that he could attend the AIC and fulfill the expectation of the Postal and RMS workers.

Babu Tarapada not only attended the conference but also delivered a historic presidential speech exposing the deplorable condition of Postal workers and criticizing the British govt for which he was charge sheeted.

The defence statement submitted by Babu Tarapada is also a historic document. An offer was given to him to apologize, but he refused boldly. He told that what he had stated in his speech was the living experience of the Postal workers.

Babu Tarapada Mukherjee was served with order of termination on 20^th November 1921 and his wife expired on 29.11.1921. Two serious attacks came to his life at a time.

ii) The Calcutta Postal Club immediately decided to raise fund for livelihood of Babu Tarapada by the way of enhancing the rate of monthly subscription.

iii) All India Post Office and RMS Union Bengal Circle, in their Circle Council meeting decided to compensate the salary of Babu Tarapada as paid while in service.

iv) Contributions also came from Burma and from Madras Circle.

1922 : i) In the All India Conference Babu Tarapada was elected as General Secretary of the Union defying the Recognition Rules which provided that no punished employee could be elected as office bearer of the union. Still the delegates courageously elected a retrenched employee as their leader.

ii) As Central Union would take the responsibility to disburse the salary of the G.S., Babu Tarapada purchased a small building at 12, Chhaku Khansama Lane in Kolkata and started functioning of the Central Union from there. Such arrangement continued till 1927, when the Central Union was shifted to New Delhi.

1929 : Babu Tarapada Mukherjee expired on 20^th September at 3-45 P.M. in the Central Union office.

Achievements of Babu Tarapada

The strength of the union was consolidated.
Re-instatement of retrenched employees.
Change in the time test.
Introduction of time scale.

Dada Ghosh came forward as a leading functionary of the union.

The leaders of the Calcutta Postal Club decided to erect a building in the memory of Babu Tarapada utilizing the fund accumulated in their hand from the subscription raised by them and donations sent by Burma and Madras comrades. Foundation stone was laid in 1930 at 37 Ganesh Chandra Avenue owned by the Calcutta Postal Club. Postal and RMS unions are still now functioning from that building.

1929 : i) Great depression started in capitalist economy. British Govt constituted a committee --- ‘Committee on Retrenchment’ popularly known as Zahangir Committee.

The Zahangir Committee proposed :

To stop recruitment.
To reduce the working strength.
To reduce the wages by 10 percent.
To augment ED post parallel to each regular cadre in Postal Dept.

ii) Trade Dispute Act was modified to curb the people’s agitation.

1931 : i) Emergency Reduction Rules 1931 was introduced to reduce the number of employees.

ii) Dada Ghosh proposed to launch work-to-rule to face the attack.

1932 : Recognition of All India Post Office and RMS Union was withdrawn.

1934 : Wage cut was introduced. Govt saved Rs. 2 Crore 75 lakhs. Pasricha Postal Inquiry Committee was constituted by the Govt. After implementation of its report, disparity increased.

1935 : Section 96(B) of India Rules 1919 was amended to curb the trade Union activity of Govt. employees.

1936 : Strike was launched.

1937 : Stay-in demonstration was treated as absence and pay cut was imposed by amending Payment of Wages Act.

1939 : i) Demand for D.A. as a separate component of salary was raised. During thirties posts of 18 categories namely, ED Sub-Postmaster, ED sorter, ED packer, ED Farash, ED Chowkidar, ED Nightguard, ED Mali, ED Mail Carrier, ED Messenger etc. were introduced to reduce the cost of Postal Dept.

ii) It was necessary to launch struggle to resist these onslaughts. Instead of unity disunity took place. Following new unions were formed :

§ Town Inspector and Inspector Association.

§ PMG Office Staff Union.

§ Muslim Postal and RMS Union.

Prior to that the following unions existed :

§ Indian Telegraph Association.

§ All India Telegraph Union.

§ All India Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union.

§ All India Post Office and RMS Union.

Dada Ghosh came in the leadership of Bengal Circle after the demise of Babu Tarapada..

iii) During Second World War various parts of Bengal, Assam, Burma and coastal part of Orissa were badly affected by bombing of Japanese forces. People at large evacuated. Postal workers were also evacuating.

iv) Dada Ghosh gave a call to stay at work place and serve the people. He was thinking to visit the affected areas and meet the workers for their moral boost up. He was in a dilemma because his wife was seriously ill. His younger son was also ill.

v) Ultimately he took leave and went on tour. His presence in the affected areas enthused the P&T workers. But when he returned home he saw that his wife died in his absence. Few days later his younger son also expired. Dada Ghosh was so moved with grief and sorrow that he resigned from the post of union. But after 2/3 days he withdrew his resignation at the request of his followers.

1942 : Director General on 18^th December called a round table conference where union representatives raised the demand to grant D.A. as a separate element of salary. Unanimity was developed on granting Rs.5/- as D.A. on 20 point price-rise. During World War there was unprecedented price-rise. The situation brought various unions nearer.

Secretary of State’s (Conduct) Rules 1942 were promulgated. Section 4 A and B provided retrenchment of employees for staging demonstration. So many postal comrades were punished by this rules and also protested against by unions.

1943 : The Govt declared P&T, Railway and some other departments as essential and militarise those departments. Most of the P&T workers joined Defence of India Army to have free uniform, Ration Allowance and Military Compensatory Allowance with a view to have some relief for their livelihood.

1944 : In All India Conference of All India Post Office and RMS Union it was reviewed that price index had raised to 320 points in comparison to pre-war period. Demand for wage increase was raised.

1946 : i) There was continuous attempt to unite all the unions. On the 24^th January 1946, Federation of Postal and Telegraph Union was formed under the leadership of Dewan Chamanlal. All India Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union did not join the Federation.

ii) All India Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union and Federation jointly served strike notice on 24^th February 1946.

iii) Govt set up adjudication headed by a High Court Judge Rajadhaksya. That adjudicator recommended Rs.5/- to Rs.15/- for non-gazetted staff.

iv) Federation at this stage withdrew the strike notice.

v) On 10^th May 1946 Govt set up first Pay Commission headed by a judge of Federal Court Srinibas Baradachariya. Thus there were two commissions on wage review at a time. This created much confusion.

vi) The decision to wear Hungry Badge was withdrawn by Federation. That program was implemented by All India Post Office and RMS Union in Bengal, Assam and in some parts of Bihar.

vii) Because of differences amongst the unions no unified approach could be possible in the matter of pay revision to First Pay Commission.

26.06.1946 : All India Postmen & Lower Grade Staff Union issued strike notice on 12 point demands to go on strike from 11^th July 1946 midnight.

Dewan Chamanlal opposed the strike on behalf of Federation.
General Secretary of All India Telegraph Association Dr. Narona also opposed the strike.
The strike was also opposed by M.A.Jabbar, General Secretary of Indian Posts and Telegraph Association.
Their plea was that some issues had been under examination by adjudication and as much the strike is unjustified.

11.07.1946 : Strike commenced at midnight. In Bombay, Assam, Bengal and Madras Postmen strike was total. In Assam authorities directed the postmen, who are members of All India Post Office and RMS Union and did not participate in strike, to work in places of striking ones. The postmen as per direction of Dada Ghosh refused to move. Some of them were suspended. So, question came before A.I. Post Office & RMS Union how to cope up with the situation. In Calcutta, all the unions met together and decided to join the strike. Entire Bengal Circle joined the strike from 21^st July with 3 days notice.

§ The entire telegraph workers joined the strike under the leadership of K.G.Bose defying their all India leadership. Comrades of Calcutta Telephones joined the strike defying the direction of Indian Post and Telegraph Association.

§ A.I.T.U.C., the only trade union at that time called upon the labours to go on strike as solidarity in Bombai and Madras.

29.07.1946 : A.I.T.U.C. in Bengal and Assam gave call for Hartaal and the normal life in both the states were totally stopped. The role played by the working class raised this strike at a level of anti-imperialist movement.

§ At the intervention of National leaders negotiation took place and after settlement of demands the strike was called off on 3^rd August.

§ But for Bengal circle a separate discussion took place and the strike in Bengal Circle was called off on 6^th August.

§ Main achievements were :

1. Pay structure revision.

2. Pension for lower grade employees.

3. Departmental promotion.

4. Good conduct pay @Rs.5/- for all non-gazetted staff including EDAs.

Lesson of the strike :

· Necessity for united organisation was felt.

· Need to join the main stream movement was felt. All India Postmen & Lower Grade Staff Union and All India Post Office & RMS Union took affiliation of A.I.T.U.C. in February 1947.

· P&T workers participated in a joint movement against their employer on common cause which led them to form one union in one industry afterwards.

1947 : To have a unified organisation leadership held continuous dialogue from 2^nd July to 5^th July 1947. constitution was drafted, name of the unified organisation was finalized.

· On 12^th August 1947 separate conferences of all the unions were held in New Delhi and thereafter in a joint conference ‘Union of Posts and Telegraph Workers’ (UPTW) was formed.

· All India Postmen & Lower Grade Staff Union though joined that initiative from very beginning could not join UPTW as because their All India conference rejected the proposal.

1948 : A proposal for re-alignment of P&T union was prepared by the Govt and a conference of various unions were held where 14 unions joined the discussion. But no decision could be taken.

· At that time UPTW was enrolling membership, collecting subscription and getting prepared for strike ballot. So, most of the leaders thought that the move of the Govt is for diluting the steps of UPTW. So, they opposed the steps.

· The First Pay Commission failed to meet the requirement of the employees especially in regard to pay scale and policy for granting D.A. etc. DA increase was suggested on rise of 20 points in the price index, but they authorized the Govt to decide the quantum of D.A., i.e., quantum of D.A. would depend on the mercy of the Govt.

1949 : After independence there was no change in price-rise. National leaders did not take any action against black-marketeers, hoarders as promised. The assurances given by them to P&T workers to resolve the problems after independence were also thrown into dustbin. Employees had no other alternative than to resort to strike. The Federal Council of UPTW decided to go on to strike. When preparation of that strike was going on some leaders gave a requisition for meeting to reconsider the strike decision. That meeting was convened at Madras.

· The leaders reaching Madras were arrested by Police. Some were arrested during their journey also. More than hundred top-ranking leaders were arrested. Afterwards their services were terminated. Some of them were brought back to service on appeal or court orders. K.G.Bose, though won the court case, was not allowed to join by the Telegraph authorities.

1952 : To organize one union in one industry came up for discussion again. The proposal of the Govt was discussed upto divisional level. Overall unanimity was reached among leaders and their rank and file.

1954 : Ultimately on 24^th November 1954, National Federation of Post and Telegraph Employees (NFPTE) with its nine affiliated unions were formed.

1955 : Agitation on the demand of Festival Advance was organized in Calcutta. On 19^th October 1955 a mass deputation was organized at PMG’s office. The demand was acceded to by the PMG. But one of the leaders of that agitation Comrade Sarojmohan Chatterjee was retrenched from service.

· Demand for formation of 2^nd Pay Commission was raised in the Parliament by the MPs of various Parties.

· Federal Executive also raised same demand.

· CCS (Conducts) Rules 1955 was introduced. Section 4 A and B of previous rules continued.

1956 : Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers was constituted. Attempt was made to organize all central govt employees under one federation/confederation but failed.

1957 : 15^th Labour Conference (tripartite) decided the norms for need-based minimum wage.

· Demand for the 2^nd CPC was again raised in the Parliament on 17.5.1957, that day a strong demonstration of 10,000 CG employees were staged in New Delhi on the 2^nd CPC.

· Strike notice was served on 21.5.1957 to launch continuous strike from 8^th August 1957.

· Formation of 2^nd CPC was announced in the Parliament on 3^rd August 1957. Sri Jagannath Das was the chairman.

· A separate committee (Rajan Committee) to examine the service condition of the ED employees was formed on 5^thSeptember 1957.

1958 : Rajan Committee submitted its report on 1^st September. The report exposed :

i) historical background of ED system.

ii) service condition (total insecurity) at that time.

iii) wage policy so long followed, no compensation for price rise.

Committee recommended:

i) revision of wages based on point system, i.e., on quantum of work.

ii) adhoc increase in lieu of D.A.

iii) promotion to regular posts through examination.

iv) adoption of service rules (ED Agent Conduct & Service Rules).

Above recommendations were accepted by the Govt.

Recommendations not accepted:

i) departmentalisation of ED employees in phased manner.

ii) house rent for office room.

iii) other facilities proportionate to regular employees like leave, uniform etc.

1959 : Report of 2^nd CPC was placed in the winter session of Parliament. The report did not recommend:

ð Need-based minimum wage; so aspirations of the employees did not fulfill.

ð On DA issue the CPC proposed DA increase on 10-point rise in price index in one year, but the quantum of DA would be decided by the Govt.

It proposed to increase the working hours on Saturday and denied full trade union right.

Protest demonstration was staged on 22^nd December 1959.

All India Railwaymens Federation, All India Defence Employees Federation and Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers called continuous strike from the midnight of 11^th July 1960.

1960 : Efforts were made by the organizations for negotiation. Some discussions were held with some ministries at the intervention of some M.P.s but failed. Attempts were made to meet the Prime Minister, who refused to meet. Strike became unavoidable.

· Ordinance was promulgated on 8^th July 1960 evening declaring the strike illegal. That ordinance provided arrest without warrant, jail for 6 months and a fine of Rs.200/- in case of violation of ordinance. In case of instigation jail for one year and fine of Rs.2000/- was prescribed.

· Recognition of 85 unions and Federations was withdrawn. Police started harassing the employees before the strike took place.

· Barring Congress and Janasangha all the political parties supported the strike. AITUC, Hind Majdoor Sabha (HMS), State Govt Employees Organisations supported the strike.

· Slanderous campaign moved on in All India Radio after the provocating speech given by the Prime Minister himself.

STRIKE COMMENCED :

· That was the first joint action of all Central Govt Employees against the stand taken by their employer.

· There was no all-out strike. Strike in Bombay, Nagpur, Kolkata, Bangalore was almost total.

· On 13^th & 14^th, participation in P&T increased but that in Railways decreased.

· On 14^th, Hartaal was organized at various places at the initiative of AITUC & HMS.

· JCA decided to withdraw the strike on 16^th and called upon all the employees to join on 17^th July 1960.

· The first ever joint action of Central Govt Employees was brutally attacked by the Central Govt.

· 80% of P&T workers went on strike. The Central Govt admitted that 17.6 lakh man-days were lost and the Govt had to suffer a loss of 2 crores of Rupees.

· While the Congress leaders and their family members came out as volunteers to break the strike the Communist Party mobilized in favour of strike.

1960 : Penal measures taken :

· 5 Railway employees were shot dead at Chahod. Another 9 were killed at Police firing at various places. Total 17780 employees were arrested. Total suspension was 27098 including the arrested. 6000 temporary employees were retrenched straightway. Another 6000 were dismissed on being jailed. Penal measures against 45945 employees were taken.

· Lists of suspended and dismissed officials were displayed at the office gate and they were not allowed to enter the office. Those who ere allowed to join had to sign an undertaking that he did wrong in joining the strike and would never participate in any strike in future.

· Public opinion could be mobilized by the Communist Party of India by organizing mass campaign throughout the country against such massive penalization and ultimately the Govt had to consider the appeals and petitions and reduced the larger section of penal measures.

1960 : After The Strike :

· JCA met on 28,29 & 30^th July 1960 and decided seven joint tasks ---

i) get the arrested employees released.

ii) halt the processes of departmental proceedings.

iii) halt the fresh processes of departmental proceedings.

iv) to reduce the jail terms.

v) reinstatement of dismissed employees.

vi) to stop the punishments of territorial army.

vii) restoration of union’s recognitions.

· Steps were also taken to consolidate the strength and unity amongst workers. But it was hardly possible because of administrative atrocities.

· The stand taken by the Central JCA to launch work-to-rule was withdrawn unilaterally by them without consulting the state-level leaders. This stand did harm to the organisation, especially to face the victimizations.

· The strike brought the necessity for a machinery to resolve the labour dispute.

1961 : Recognition was restored by a court verdict. But it took more time to restore normal functioning.

· The ordinance (Essential Services Maintenance Ordinance) promulgated by the Central Govt before the strike was enacted subsequently. A bill was also prepared, namely, Industrial Relations Bill in which Joint Consultative Machinery was provided. That bill also provided some provisions for recognition of unions and associations :

a) the organisation should have support of at least 15 % of employees /workers.

b) in order to participate in JCM support of 35% would be required.

c) no outsider could hold any post of the union.

d) membership verification would be conducted at par with labour unions.

1962 : In 6^th Federal Council of NFPTE the contradiction between two lines came in the forefront, viz,

Resolution moved by K.Rammurthy proposed the way of negotiation to achieve the demands while that moved by R.P.Chatterjee proposed the way of struggle and agitation. Such differences influenced the organisation for years to come and still that difference is there in the organisation covertly.

· Another difference also came out in that resolution. Rammurthy proposed that Chinese Army attacked India in the border where as R.P.Chatterjee explained the event as border dispute and to be settled through negotiations.

· Despite those debates P&T workers donated Rs.45,000/- to Defence of India Fund.

1962 : National Emergency was declared during India-China border dispute. It was decided in a meeting between the Home Minister and Central Govt Employees that they would deposit a portion of their earnings in the following way :

1. 1% of income in compulsory deposit scheme.

2. 1% of income in savings certificate or Defence Bond.

1963 : In the Union Budget for the year 1963-64 it was enacted that the employees who were not in the purview of income tax will have to save money in the following manner :

Provident Fund è 6%

Compulsory Deposit Scheme è 1%

Savings Certificate è 1%

According to new act è 3% } Total 11% per month

Protest demonstration was launched on 8^th August 1963 at the call of Confederation.

· Condition of the Central Govt employees were dismal, because wholesale price-index increased by 6.4% in 1962-63 in comparison to 1952-53. Expenditure for livelihood increased by 40% during that period.

· A review carried out by The Times of India went to show that monthly requirement of lower-middle class family required Rs.115/- to Rs.140/- per month. But salary of the lowest paid Central Govt employee was Rs.70/- p.m.

· After D.A. increase of Rs.5/- to Rs.10/- in 1961, there was no enhancement of D.A. as there was 10% increase in price-index during last 12 months average.

· JCM was formed on 5^th October 1963. But differences persisted from the very beginning.

1. It was decided to determine the number of representatives on the basis of employees, but number of ED employees was not included.

2. the Govt was not agreed to form any forum of JCM at Circle level.

3. a tough difference was there in the matter of rules for recognition.

Debate on all these issues continued upto 1964 but could not be clinched.

1964 : CCS (Conducts) Rules 1964 was introduced. Section 4 A and B of previous rules were not there. Different section of this rules were changed 24 times.

ED Agents (Conduct and Service) Rules 1964 were introduced. It had also been changed thrice.

1966 : Movement on Irreducible Minimum Demands (at the call of AIPEU Class-III) :

14^th to 19^th November 1966 late attendance for 15 minutes and gate demonstration.

2^nd December 1966 hunger fast and sit-in by the office-bearers at all levels.

From 14^th December ’66 work-to-rule.

Achievements : Four-handed offices upgraded to LSG.

Charge allowance Rs.10/- to TS SPMs.

Post of Manager (HSG) in RLO.

Creation of Accountant post in Divisional Office.

Fifth post in Accounts branch be upgraded to LSG etc.

Agitation launched by AIPEU Postmen & Group-D

From 14^th Nov ’66 == demonstration and performing delivery on foot. Boycotting of uniform.

From 14^th Dec ’66 == work to rule.

Settlements by negotiation : Hourly-rated overtime to packers on holidays and working days.

Absentee beat overtime and cycle allowance to Postmen @Rs.3/- p.m.

On D.A. Formula :

As regards to full neutralization of price-rise Second Pay Commission recommended :

1. The Govt should not enter into any agreement on full neutralization of price-rise.

2. Inflation provides some facilities to a section of people while deprives another, specially the salaried group whose earnings looses its real value.

3. continuous and high rate price-rise only creates a situation for neutralization.

It also opined that salary can bear 22.50% erosion continuously for 12 months while the opinion of the First Pay Commission was 12.50% erosion was bearable continuously for 6 months.

Staff side raised the following questions during first part of 1960s:

whether neutralization would be made for average price rise in last 6 months or last one year.
what would be the quantum of neutralization --- half or full.
whether the increase in DA would be automatic or responsibilities would be given to an independent third party.
how the ED employees would have the neutralization.

No agreement could be reached and a protest day was observed on 12^th August 1964.

27.08.1964 : To decide quantum of DA an one-man committee was set up with Sri S.K.Das, a retired Judge.

24.10.1964 : A massive demonstration was organized by all Central Govt employees against Das committee. Com. S.M.Banerjee raised the issue in Parliament.

Das Committee did not recommend any thing. It submitted following proposals :

D.A. granted to the employees since 1958 as per recommendation of Second CPC failed to provide justice to the employees.
In order to decide the formula for granting D.A., there was need for examination in details from both the angles of time and points of price-rise.
Present formula needed some change till the price index became stable.

Naturally, the need of the employees could not be served by Das Committee.

26.07.1966 : A three-man committee was set up by the Govt to go into the question of D.A. compromising of P.B.Gajendra Gadkar (Chairman), M.V.Rangachari and Dr. B.N.Ganguli (members).

· The terms of reference were as follows:

1. to finalise the principles of granting D.A. to C.G. employees and its impact on State Govts, Undertakings and Semi-Govt employees.

2. to find out the alternative of granting D.A. which would have no impact on inflation.

3. to find out change, if any, is required on the system recommended by the Second CPC.

4. the Govt exchequer had to bear the expenses for D.A. for which taxes were increased. As a result the burden was transferred to the people at large. Taking such situation in view whether the neutralization of price rise would be proper or not.

5. to consider different reasons of price rise, effect of wage hike over price index and present position of national economy.

· The preliminary report of Gadkar Committee provided :

1. 90% neutralization in case of lower-paid employees (basic pay Rs.70/- to Rs.109/-).

2. Govt’s proposal to reduce quantum of neutralization and to find out alternative for granting D.A. were rejected.

· On 19^th May 1967 Demand Day was observed.

Main Recommendations of Gadkar Commission :

1. The proposal for D.A. was to be considered on the event of ten-point price rise during 12 months duration.

2. D.A. increase against price rise should not be left for consideration of the Govt. Increase of D.A. as a result of price rise should be automatic.

3. Wage structure should be revised after two years or on 245 point price index whichever is earlier.

4. Revision of D.A. would not be admissible within the pay range between Rs.1000/- to Rs.2200/-.

· At that time the Govt and the capitalists raised the slogan --- Wage freeze.

Profit freeze.

Price freeze.

· Proposal for discussion on Gadkar Commission’s report was rejected by the Govt.

Agitation Became Inevitable

· 3^rd August 1967 --- massive demonstration was organized in front of the residence of Prime Minister disobeying 144 of CrPC.

· A discussion was held on 11^th August 1967. Finance Minister Morarji Desai proposed to keep the amount of D.A. in deposit and take payment afterwards. Staff side refused that proposal.

· The JCA of 1960 was reconstituted. Strike for 24 hours on 11^th September 1967 from midnight was decided by JCA.

· Morarji Desai announced that wage and D.A. increase would be kept withheld upto March 1968.

· After serving strike notice discussions took place and decision was taken that ---

1. After discussion in JCM two installments of D.A. was granted and credited to GPF which could be withdrawn after 31^st March 1968.

2. Next D.A. would be paid in cash.

3. Question of full neutralization would also be negotiated and decided after March 1968.

After such discussions, strike was withdrawn.

· But Govt. failed negotiated settlement on full neutralization. No negotiated settlement became possible on need-based minimum wage, D.A. formula, merger of D.A. with pay etc. Even the Govt was not agreeable to refer those issues to Arbitration.

· National Executive committee of Confederation in its meeting held on 21.7.1968 decided to go on strike.

· AIRF and AIDEF jointly decided to go on strike on 12^th September 1968.

· Confederation organized a convention of Central Govt employees’ organizations. There were differences on various issues and even in the matter of joint movement of Rly, Defence and other C.G.employees. Still by way of mutual discussion it was decided to go on strike on 19^th September 1968.

· Central Govt again promulgated an ordinance to declare the strike illegal.

· Govt issued recognition to 10 All India Unions (including one ED union) and FNPTO (parallel to NFPTE), SBCO Union and Inspectors’ Association. Except last two others (FNPTO & its affiliates) had no existence. Rammurthy being the leader of FNPTO gave a statement in All India Radio opposing the strike calling it a political one.

· Still 25 lakhs CG employees participated in 1968 strike.

Penal measures taken

a) Recognition of the unions was withdrawn,

b) 12 employees were murdered by Police firing at Pathankot.

c) 12000 were arrested and suspended,

d) 7300 employees faced trial in the court for defiance of ordinance and/or instigation for defiance.

e) Termination notices were served against 50000 temporary employees. In some cases instead of notice one month’s salary was paid in advance and staff was relieved.

f) During resistance movement against penal measures Police opened fire in front of Cossipore Gun and Shell Factory (in Calcutta) and 5 comrades were killed.

The left organizations called 72 hours Bundh in West Bengal.

· Five Inspectors in West Bengal went on strike on 19^th September 1968. All were suspended. Afterwards four of them surrendered, but Com. Rabindra Lal Bhattacharya faced Rule-14 charge sheet, reverted to clerical cadre for six years.

· Union’s recognition was restored by court’s verdict. Notices for termination of service to temporary staffs were also withdrawn by intervention of both political and organizational levels.

· The political situation arisen out of 1967 general election, when Congress was defeated in 9 states, created some favourable situation towards struggle.

Inner Struggle Sharpened

1963 : After 6^th Federal Council in 1962 two parallel AIC of P-IV were held in Kashmir which influenced 7^th Federal Council.

1964 : The understanding between A.S.Rajan and Rammurthy came to an end as A.S.Rajan understood the anti-struggle approach of Rammurthy. Understanding between K.G.Bose-Rajan was established in 1964 and continued upto 1978 or so.

1967 : There was strong difference among the leaders about withdrawal of strike decision. Com. K.Adinarayana, N.J.Iyer, Sisir Bhattacharya etc. were against it.

It may be noted that the ideological differences in the left movement of the country had its influence in trade union field including employees organizations. There were various class & mass movements at one side and attempts for class collaboration taking Pt. Nehru (afterwards Indira Gandhi) as leader of progressive forces within Congress was also on. That had influence on NFPTE.

1969 : All-out attempts were made by the Govt, Congress Party and Postal administration towards growing of FNPTO and its affiliates. But desired result could not be achieved during consecutive three years. Domination of NFPTE among P&T workers could not be reduced remarkably.

1971 : New game plan was chalked out to create differences within NFPTE. Side by side new attacks were launched in shape of reduction in number of deliveries, withdrawal of stamping of letters with delivery stamp, withdrawal of orderly to IPOs etc. Com. O.P.Gupta himself proposed for withdrawal of sorting section and converting those to transit sections. Progressive leadership had to fight against all these attempts.

· Organizational battle took a new shape. In P-III Jamshedpur AIC, a small group headed by Com. A.Premnathan and K.L.Moza walked out and formed a committee. Conference elected a team of leaders headed by K.G.Bose and A.S.Rajan.

1972 : In Howrah Conference of P-IV similar incident took place though there was no walk-out or strong difference of opinions in the house.

· Federal Council in Kolkata faced similar attack. NFPTE was divided into two --- one led by K.G.-Rajan and another by O.P.Gupta.

· Confederation was also divided by convening a meeting by S.Madhusudan during absence of Com. Vyas. That meeting expelled Com. Vyas and N.J.Iyer and elected Madhusudan as Secretary General.

· Govt recognized the body of the break away groups.

New setup in labour movement

1970 : Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) was formed by the progressive forces in the labour movement owing to undemocratic and class-collaborative line adopted by the AITUC leaders.

1971 : National Council of Trade Unions was formed comprising of AITUC, INTUC and H.M.S. at the initiative of the then labour minister Mr. Khadilkar and direct patronization of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

· From a largely attended convention in New Delhi at the initiative of CITU United Council of Trade Unions came into existence. Besides CITU, HMP, UTUC, TUCC, A.I.Insurance Employees Asscn and NFPTE, headed by Com. K.G.Bose and A.S.Rajan, joined that forum.

· While National Council of Trade Unions supported all steps taken by Ms. Indira Gandhi, United Council of Trade Unions fought against the policy of wage freeze, amendment of Labour Law and attack on democratic and trade union rights during national emergency.

· O.P.Gupta group openly supported national emergency and 20-point program of National Congress Party headed by Indira Gandhi.

· During emergency it was decided by the Govt to reduce 10% of D.A. and impose ½ % cut on each installment of D.A. at that time. Com. N.J.Iyer, K.Adinarayana, S.K.Vyas opposed emergency. Protest movement was launched against D.A cut by these leaders.

Main difference within the trade unions and employees organisations was based on the class outlook. A section thought that Indira Gandhi, who decided to nationalize Banking service and abolished the privy purse, was progressive. But those decisions were taken as results of class and mass struggle. So, the path of struggle was the correct one and not to find favour of the Ruling Class. That struggle is still continuing.

1970 : Third Pay Commission was announced on 23.4.1970, with Raghubir Dayal as Chairman, H.N.Roy as member-secretary and historian Dr. Nihar Ranjan Roy, Prof A.K.Dasgupta, Dr. V.R.Pillai as members.

Need-based minimum wage was the main issue.

· On 7^th October 1970 a separate committee for ED employees was formed with the retired officer Madan Kishore as Chairman.

· Interim Relief of Rs.70/- for regular employees and Rs.35/- for ED employees were demanded to maintain parity with the undertaken sectors.

· 3^rd Pay Commission granted Rs.15/- at lowest level and Rs.45/- at higher levels as interim relief. In case of ED employees the amount was Rs.4/- and Rs.8/- respectively.

This shows the approach and outlook of the CPC and ED committee. Protest programs were organized.

1972 : Based on the recommendation of Bonus Commission set up by Central Govt, demand for bonus for C.G. employees was raised.

· According to Bonus Commission Bonus was not a part of profit. Bonus is a deferred wage.

· Madhu Dhandavate placed a bill in the Parliament to that effect.

· A Bonus Convention was convened jointly by Confederation and A.I. State Govt Employees Federation on 10^thDecember 1970 at West Patelnagar, New Delhi, on the demand ---- ‘Bonus For All’.

· Rail and Defence Employees Federations were approached to be the convener of the convention, but they did not agree. Com. O.P.Gupta also denied.

· Struggle for Bonus to Central Govt employees started from that convention and it was achieved in 1979. At the beginning there was doubt amongst a section of employees because of the strong opinion expressed by the leaders like O.P.Gupta and others. But the demand could be settled by way of determined struggle launched by the progressive leadership.

1972 : Madan Kishore Committee submitted its report in May 1972. In para 15.2 the committee opined: ‘if the working hours of the ED offices were reduced to two hours one crore rupees would be saved by the Govt per year.’

The approach was quite clear. The committee further opined: ‘crores of rupees are spent by the Govt for payment of D.A. and D.A. increase speed up the price rise.’

The process for granting ad-hoc increase @5:2 in lieu of D.A. proposed to be discontinued by the committee though the D.A. was not the subject matter of the committee. Govt accepted the proposal. But because of de-recognition and disunity NFPTE could not build up any effective movement. O.P.Gupta was not at all agreeable to any agitation.

On 12^th December 1972 a massive demonstration on ED-demand was held at Board Club Maidan by the KG-Rajan group. Left MPs raised the ED demands in Parliament.

1973 : 3^rd CPC report was placed in the Parliament on 31^st March. According to the 15^th International Labour Convention (ILC) norm, minimum pay should have been Rs.350/- per month. Demand of staff side was Rs.250/- p.m. to have parity with the undertaking sector.

· Pay Commission recommended Rs.185/- p.m. as minimum, though they agreed that Rs.196/- p.m. should be the minimum wage if the expenses for vegetarian were taken into account. But they recommended Rs.185/- to reduce the pressure on Govt exchequer.

· The CPC recommended following principle for grant of D.A. :

DA would be admissible on 8-point price rise in 12 months, pay range upto Rs.350/- at 3.5% with highest limit of Rs.10/-; pay range above Rs.350/- up to Rs.900/- at 2.5% with highest limit of Rs.20/-.

Fixing of higher limit deprived a section of employees from proper neutralization.

· United Council of Trade Unions opined that these recommendations were nothing but an attack on working people at large.

· No negotiation could change the recommendations as per demand of the staff side. So, confrontation became inevitable.

1974 : AIRF convened a convention of all Central Govt employees organizations on 15^th March 1974. Confederation, both groups of NFPTE, FNPTO joined that convention. But other organizations linked with INTUC did not join. The convention opined for a joint strike if the demands were not settled by 10^th April 1974.

· All the unions of Railway except INTUC formed a joint forum named National Coordination Committee for Railwaymen’s Struggle (NCCRS).

· All India State Govt Employees Federation went on strike on 7^th April 1974 in which change of recommendations of 3^rd CPC was one of the demands.

· Loco Running Staff Association went on work-to-rule from 15^th April 1974. NCCRS decided to launch continuous strike from 6 A.M., 8^th May 1974.

· S.Madhusudan brought out a bulletin in the name of Confederation discouraging strike action.

· NFPTE headed by KG-Rajan group convened a meeting of all circle secretaries. O.P.Gupta was also invited there. Guptaji told that he could not allow the employees to go on strike and beaten by the Govt because of disunity. However, the meeting decided to go on work-to-rule on 8^th & 9^th May and strike from 10^th May 1974 on own charter of demands.

· Railwaymen’s strike started on 8^th May amidst massive attack, torture and arrest. The water and electric connections to the staff quarters were cut.

· Strike of Central Govt employees under the leadership of S.K.Vyas, KG-Rajan could not continue for more than three days. The class collaborationists came out in an organized way to break the strike.

O.P.Gupta managed 20% LSG promotion and launched anti-strike propaganda over phone.

· United Council of Trade Unions organized country-wide strike on 15^th May 1974 in which Confederation also gave a call to participate.

· 1974 strike brought forward the question of unity as a prime need to safeguard the interest of the employees. Actually disunity spread out upto the level of branch level at the initiative of the leaders headed by O.P.Gupta. their target was to cripple the way of struggle. 1974 strike projected that the anti-struggle leadership was successful to some extent to weaken the movement.

· An ordinance was promulgated to keep 50% of DA increase in deposit and refund the same afterwards in five installments. Need for resistance movement felt by everybody.

· 22^nd August 1974 an order of bifurcation of P&T department was issued. But the same was not implemented for reasons best known to the Govt.

· Though unity talk in P&T started in 1972 itself, K.G.Bose from his death-bed wrote several letters for unity. The approach of KG-Rajan was to establish unity by holding joint conference and electing leader democratically. O.P.Gupta was in favour of post sharing as he had no majority in P-IV, RMS-III and NFPTE. The convention held on 11.12.1972 decided to have democratic election at all levels.

1975 : On 2^nd June some sorts of unity in P-III became possible. A list of office bearers by way of post sharing was prepared and submitted. Govt recognized that list on 23^rd September 1975. But recognition to O.P.Gupta’s body in NFPTE was withdrawn for non-holding of conference.

1976 : Federal Council was invited from 6^th to 8^th August 1976 with a view to establish unity. Because of disunity between O.P.Gupta and K.L.Moza and Premnathan disunity took a new shape. Two sets of office bearers were claimed to be elected in that Council.

1977 : Congress Party was miserably defeated in Parliament election. A coalition Govt was formed at the center for the first time under the leadership of Janata Party. Left parties supported that Govt from outside.

1977 : Supreme Court gave its landmark judgement stating ED employees holder of civil posts.

1978 : In the next assembly elections Congress party was defeated again. In West Bengal and Kerala Left parties came to power. Regional parties came to power in various states. Left parties took a different way of development giving priority to the interests of downtrodden within the frame wall of capitalist-feudal regime.

· The Janata Govt announced withdrawal of 1960, 1968, 1974 disabilities and punishments awarded to the Govt employees. The Govt withdrew many of the punishments including dismissals but not all.

· The Govt recognized the set of office bearers with D.Gnaniya as Secretary General of NFPTE. D.Gnaniya decided to resolve the organizational disputes by way of mutual discussions and arriving at consensus or by way of democratic elections. In this process overall unity could be restored.

· A panel was set up with S.Bhuthalingam as chairman on 11.10.1977 to evolve the principle for wages and income. The panel proposed minimum wage of Rs.100/-. But that proposal was not in conformity with the fair wage and price policy of Janata Party announced in their election manifesto. On the other hand the lowest wage of ED employees was Rs.85/- for two hours duty. The wage of a Group-D employee of that time was Rs.92.85 for two hours. Govt could not implement the proposal because of strong resistance from the unions and supporting left parties.

· An arbitration was constituted with J.S.Bedi as chairman for finalization of principle for granting D.A. The terms of references were:

1. First nine installment of DA merger with pay.

2. Refund of DA installments withheld during emergency.

3. Refund of the amount of DA withdrawn during emergency.

The Govt did not announce the report of the arbitration. They tried to settle the merger issue with some conditionality, but were not ready to settle other issues. So, the differences between Govt and staff side remain unsettled.

· During this period the Communication Minister himself gave birth to Bharatiya P&T Employees Federation (BPTEF).

1976 : To celebrate silver jubilee of NFPTE a national convention was convened at Patna where the leadership comprising of divisional secretary, circle secretary, CHQ and Federation assembled.

Discussion on ED demands was held one day. A 12 point charter of demands was enumerated. To popularize these demands holding of circle and divisional conferences was decided.
Other problems viz., wage parity with undertaking sector, running scale to avoid stagnation, bonus and two promotions were discussed and decided to be pursued in coming days.
But the path for achievement of these demands was decided to be negotiated settlement and practically dropped the way of negotiation backed by movement.

1979/1980 : Productivity-liked Bonus was announced ---- employees discriminated.

· Unabated price rise, non-settlement of full neutralisation, non-payment of due D.A. installments, shortage of staff, scanty accommodation, non-restoration of DA to ED employees, removal of discrimination on bonus and non-settlement of two promotions etc. were agitating the minds of C.G. employees at large.

· C.M.Stephen, the then communication minister, raised a slogan of ‘discipline, skill and responsibility’. But he was not ready to accept the concept that because of exploitation deterioration of discipline, skill and responsibility occur.

· Indira Gandhi returned to power in midterm poll consequent of Janata Party’s defection on the debate of dual membership of Janata Party and RSS. Bharatiya Janata Party was formed at the instances of RSS and they came out from Janata Govt.

· Confederation decided some demonstrative movement. NFPTE decided to go on strike in July 1981. Attempts were made to unify three federations in that struggle. Strike ballot was conducted.

1981 : The Govt promulgated an ordinance preventing all strike actions. NFPTE leadership decided to conduct hunger fast program from 12^th October and non-cooperation by all. Com. K.L.Moza informed the Govt that he (P-III) would not join the strike. He separately gave strike notice to halt withdrawal of savings bank from post office. But none of the action programs was materialized.

· The ordinance was subsequently converted into an act. National Campaign Committee was formed at the initiative of CITU and excepting INTUC. The committee decided following action:

1. 17^th August 1981 è Black Day against the act.

2. 21^st November 1981 à March to Parliament.

3. 19^th January 1982 à Bharat Bundh.

A section of INTUC (Dara Group) joined the program.

1982 : The Govt was propagating since 1980 that staff side should choose anyone of the demands and the same would be settled. Rest of the demands would be kept pending upto March 1983. Those who were not connected with productivity could not get bonus. A section of leadership of both NFPTE and Confederation were agreeable to accept this proposal. But for opposition of the rest of the leaders and the leaders of AIDEF no agreement was possible.

· Agitation started at the joint call of Confederation and AIDEF but it could not create any pressure on the Govt. Massive attack let loose by the Govt at various places.

· 4^th CPC was announced on 28^th February 1982 in the Parliament. The proposal for bipartite wage agreement mooted early was practically abandoned.

· Proposal for Rs.140/- as interim relief was turned down in connivance with anti-struggle forces. 4^th CPC was constituted with Justice P.N.Mathur as the chairman, Prof Mathur, M.V.Kakkar, Gopaldas Nag as members and A.K. Majumder as member-secretary. Induction of employees representative in CPC was not also accepted.

· O.P.Gupta gave consent to refer all the pending demands to CPC. In seventh Federal Council O.P.Gupta moved a proposal to accept two promotions on matching-savings which was opposed by N.J.Iyer, Sisir Bhattacharya, K.Adinarayana, Sadaram Tanwar, P.N.Mehta etc.

· In replying to the debate on need-based minimum wages to the Central Govt employees the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee opined that the employees may be agitated for need-based minimum wages or for wage parity with undertaking sector for another hundred years, but Govt would pay which it could.

· Despite disunity in thinking on various aspects amongst the leaders an unified approach was reflected in the memorandum to 4^th CPC. Wage parity was the central point in the demand to CPC.

1983 : Curtailment in number of deliveries in metro cities was started in Calcutta. A resistance movement succeeded at initial stage by way of agitation at circle level. But over the years curtailment of delivery was imposed despite strike action at various places.

1984 : Ban on recruitment and creation of posts were imposed for six months from 01.01.1984 and afterwards that ban continued till date.

· Non-settlement of demands of ED employees specially the issue of restoration of DA (adhoc increase) was agitating the minds of ED employees. NFPTE leadership took little interest to resolve the issues. Even serious negotiation on 12 point charter of demands as decided in Patna Convention was also lacking.

· Considering the circumstances p-IV CWC decided to launch one-day token strike exclusively on ED demands viz., interim relief to ED employees, restoration of DA (adhoc increase) since 01.01.1973 and other proportionate facilities. 19^th September 1984 was the date of strike. P-III CHQ despite having ED membership did not take any decision to join or lend any support to that strike action. FNPTO opposed the strike throughout the country.

· Class-III circle secretaries in Kerala, West Bengal and Assam decided to join the strike. The strike was a success. Class-III union at different places joined the strike.

· One ED committee was formed by the Govt with R.R.Savoor, a retired officer of the department as chairman on 5h November 1984.

· 156 RMS sorting sections were ordered to be closed. It was also decided to close down SROs. Five installments of DA became due. Govt was delaying its decision on DA. Of course, one promotion at 16 years of service on matching savings was introduced. Grant of interim relief was being delayed.

· The doors of JCM were closed. Formal meetings with heads of administration were stooped. So, there was no scope for negotiation.

1985 : RMS & MMS Class-III unions decided to go on token strike on 6^th June 1985. The strike was a grand success. In this case NFPTE could not give any positive call for solidarity except to do whatever possible.

· After 6^th June, six RTP staff were not allowed to join in West Bengal. Both R-III & R-IV started cease work program. No decision was forthcoming to reinstate the RTP staff. The Chief Minister of West Bengal Com. Jyoti Basu intervened and got the issue settled. Employees were enthused very much.

· P&T department was bifurcated into two from 01.01.1985 by an announcement. Formal notification was made on 4^thJune 1985. The reason, as told, was to modernize the telecom service by its profit, which was so long was utilised to subsidize the loss of Postal services. Communication Minister announced to mobilize fund by selling bonds for modernization. Such contradiction existed. NFPTE did neither want such bifurcation, nor protested against such action. O.P.Gupta was the Secretary General at that time. In a press release he mentioned the possibilities of corporatisation and privatization. But the proposal was not opposed.

· Efforts towards bifurcation of Federation :

In April 1985 a debate took place in P-III CWC about bifurcation of Federation. Three comrades opposed the proposal. An argument was raised that the Postal leaders of NFPTE may not be accepted by the Telecom authorities and likewise the Postal authorities may not accept the leaders belonging to Telecom to discuss the problems.

· On 9^th December 1985 Department of Personnel instructed NFPTE to constitute two Federations according to departmental set up.

· A section of leaders were of the opinion that Postal wing can move towards achievement of their demands by way of struggle, though they were against bifurcation.

· 18^th Federal Council of NFPTE was held in Calcutta from 17^th to 19^th March 1985 at Oswal Bhavan. After discussion two Federations, viz., National Federation of Telecom Employees (NFTE) and National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE) were constituted. It was also decided that NFPTE would also remain. A body was also selected, but to no effect. Though most of the delegates wanted Com. Adi as Secretary General but for the sake of unity Com. K.L.Moza was accepted as Secretary General.

1986 : The Outlook of 4^th CPC :

‘In regard to payment of wages how much the employer can pay is the main feature and that aspect has been carefully considered.’ (Para 7.67)

As regards wage parity the CPC opined that during 1970-71 and 1984-85, 344% wage increase took place in undertaking sector. It would not be wise to thrust upon so much burden on the Govt. (Para 5.12) 4^th CPC recommended 20% wage increase at lowest level and Rs.900/- at highest level. It, however, recommended a concrete D.A. formula of granting DA at the interval of six months (at the end of June and December) on 12 monthly average increases in price index.

Main Thrust of Savoor Committee :

The committee proposed to abolish ED Nightguard, ED Chowkidar, Sweeper, Safaiwala, Farash etc. and to entrust the job to contingent-paid employees. Abolition of the posts of orderly to Inspectors and mail overseers were also proposed. Another proposal was to close down EDBOs, which were unremunerative and to introduce Licensed Agency services at the cost of Rs.50/- each. In short, the committee proposed cheaper postal system.

The positive side of the report was to introduce allowances proportionate to regular employees.

The Govt accepted most of the recommendations of Savoor Committee and a large number of contingent-paid employees were engaged in pace of ED employees. It was ensured by the Unions/Federation that none of the ED employees was retrenched. Contingent-paid employees would be engaged only in vacant posts.

JOURNEY OF NFPE

NFPE has crossed 27 years of its journey. During this period NFPE has built up joint movement of Postal Workers, strengthened the movement led by Confederation and linked the Postal movement to main stream of struggle.

1987 : A call of seven days’ strike could be given by NFPE, FNPO and BPEF. For the first time problem of postal services were included in the charter. Though the strike did not take place, an agreement was reached by the department and the Federations at the instances of Chief Central Labour Commissioner.

1989 : Govt did not implement most of the items of the agreement. As a result NFPE decided to organize strike action. But other Federations did not agree. NFPE went alone to conduct token strike in 1989.

· A nationwide strike was organized by left trade unions against the misrule of Rajiv Gandhi to have an alternative. NFPE / Confederation could not give a concrete call. Advice was given to do whatever possible in support of strike.

· Requirement of struggle at departmental level and against the policy of the Govt. was there. But NFPE leadership, specially Com. Moza tried to limit the organizational efforts to settle the fringe benefit related issues but was not in a mood to oppose the postal policy which was against the interest of the service as well as of the employees.

1991 : Second promotion on matching savings was achieved.

1992 : In third Federal Council at Dharwar the progressive leadership headed by N.J.Iyer and K.Adinarayana was established. Not only that, the Council decided to join the main stream of struggle as a policy. Since then postal employees became an integral part of national mass movement. Such stand influenced Confederation which also became part of national movement.

1993 : An united strike struggle became possible for four days by three Federations, All India Postal Accounts Staff Association and Association of IPOs & IRMs. A strike call was given by that joint forum. Such unity did not last for a considerable period, although Postal Accounts Employees Association became the partner of NFPE.

· NFPE launched strike struggle in 1996, 1998 and 2000 for 6 days, 8 days and 14 days respectively. In 1996 bonus ceiling was enhanced. In 1998 scale of allowance with increment, leave with allowances and some other financial demands of ED and regular employees were settled. But in 2000 such notable achievement was not there.

These strike struggles brought two major questions forward, viz., whether extra-militancy was being exhibited by NFPE and strike should be organized to achieve something.

During these periods of struggles membership of NFPE increased in various parts of the country but in weaker states employees got a belief that NFPE and FNPO are the struggling organisations. The differences between two Federations could not be established by the leaders exhibiting their fighting spirit and sacrifice.

· Inner contradiction within NFPE leadership was also there. After Dharwar K.L.Moza was replaced by R.A.P.Singh in P-III with a view to strengthen NFPE. Later R.A.P.Singh (popularly known as Masterji) became critical of NFPE leadership after 1998 strike though he was taken into confidence by the leaders.

· Introduction of CCS(RSA) Rules 1993 and 1995 was fought together. But there were some soft corners to check-off system on the part of a section of leadership because of the fact that amount of collection of subscription would be more and that too without devoting any labour.

· After introduction of New Recognition Rules formation of ED Union at various levels could be possible without much difference. All India leadership was also chosen by a consensus amongst the leaders. Change over of leadership to serving employees was also based on consensus.

2002 : Complications arose after release of recognition rules for the Federations. Federal Council held in October 2002 in Kolkata exhibited a sharp difference. There were certain impacts of last ED All India Conference held at Tamilnadu where money power and muscle power were exhibited. Attempts were made to combine R-IV,GDS union and major chunk of P-III against NFPE leadership. But due to the role played by the President and G.S. of P-III, functional unity of NFPE could be preserved.

· The main issue for consideration before the progressive forces was how to establish pro-NFPE leadership in GDS Union and also in P-III afterwards. In Jwalamukhi AIC of P-III the team headed by M.Krishnan and K.V.Sridharan took over and tried to streamline the organisation to strengthen NFPE and to fulfill the requirement of struggle.

· After fifth CPC and Geethakrishnan Commission’s recommendation the Govt took their efforts to outsource and curtailed the postal services with view to privatization. Various programs including strike action were launched and compelled the Govt not to reduce the postal service by introducing licensed agency, Panchayet Sanchar Seva Yojana, closure of single and double-handed post offices and lastly closure of 9797 post offices. These were the great achievements during the regime of Neo-liberal economy.

2008 onwards : General Secretary of sole recognized GDS Union failed to maintain unity of postal movement being the part of NFPE. His call for fragmented strike from 18^th December 2008 jeopardised the attempt of joint movement and placed the settlement of GDS demands in back foot. It became impossible to continue with him in the interest of GDS employees and joint movement as well. Under this compelling situation NFPE had to organize the GDS Union separately and fight. Inner struggle in the organisation should not stop ---- this is the heritage of NFPE.

NOTES ON HISTORY OF P&T MOVEMENT

Com. Shibsankar Roy, West Bengal, Ex. Assistant General Secretary AIPEU Gr.-C

Towards formation of Union