THE HISTORY OF P & T TRADE UNION MOVEMENT IN INDIA
Postal Service - An Introduction
The
Postal System in India was first introduced by Lord Clive in 1756 for
official communication only. Bags used to be sent to the District
Magistrates and Collectors. The first Post Office was opened in Calcutta
during 1774, for sending communication by private persons. Postal
Committee of 1852 recommended the introduction of postage stamps and
also dropped the practice of charging the articles according to
distance. During October, 1854 the postage stamp was introduced for use
in Post offices, (i.e) quarter anna postcard and half anna envelope.
The
Railway system was first started in 1853 and thereafter expanded its
linkage to all big Cities. Along with Railways, the Postal system was
also expanded. Telegraph system was introduced in 1853.
Emerging Trade Unions
T.
U. consciousness in India had first grown during the later half of 19th
Century, amongst the textile workers of Bombay and Nagpur. The total
strike observed by the workers of Empress Mill Nagpur in 1877 over wage
rate was the first working class struggle in the country. Between 1882
and 1890 about 25 strikes took place in Madras & Bombay
Presidencies. During 1905 to 1909 there were continuous strikes in
Bombay textile mills as well as other factories due to economic
distress, ever rising cost of living, without corresponding increase in
wages to the workers and the economic crisis caused due to imports from
Manchester, Sheffield which created the total down fall of textile mills
and also created unemployment. T. U. consciousness was emerging in the
country in the back ground of many workers struggle throughout the
world.. The amalgamated society of Railway workers of India and Burma
which was formed in 1897 by Anglo Indians and domiciled Europeans had
also contributed in developing T. U. consciousness among the Govt.
employees and workers.
Beginning of P & T Movement
The
discontentment was growing amongst the P & T employees over their
service conditions and ill treatment. During 1880, there was a sporadic
strike by Postmen of Poona, over some grievances. The Strikers were
helped to a great extent by Late Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Between 1886 to
1988 discontent was also simmering amongst the Postal and RMS employees
due to the unhygenic working conditions, hard work, low wages, oven like
RMS Vans, long and inconvenient hours of work and tyrannical discipline
etc. as per the report published in Amrit Bazar Patrika dated 4th
March, 1886.
Postal club incognito Trade Union
In
1905 the Postal Club was formed at 18. Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Calcutta
13 incognito to the Trade Union movement under the Leadership of Late
Babu Tarapada Mukherji who entered the service on 01.02.1895 as a postal
employee. After the recognition of Postal Club, it was organised 150
employees and started sending memorials to the Government. The
Presidency Postmaster called the Secretary Com. Ashwini Kumar and told
him' Look here, Aswini, if you do not give up your Secretaryship, I will
transfer you to Port Blair. He replied "I will carry my banner of the
union there too." One B. L. Advocate Sril Nirmal Sen Gupta had joined
the Postal Club and his oratory and penmanship attracted everybody. Bombay
Postal Club was also formed in 1905 but it had started its working in
1907, which also carried only the Trade union activities. Postal League
of Dacca was first started in
1909 by Sarat Chandra Sen. He prepared many memorials and posted to all
over India which had the impact of organizing T.U. activities through
out the nation. Resultantly, the PMG had threatened him to desist his
activities or he will arrest him. But he never cared. Then he was
transferred to Imphal and had worked till 1912. At the time of Bengal
Bifurcation, he was again sent back to Dacca.
10 Days Strike In 1908 - Com. Henry Barton, the Pioneer.
Mr.
Henry Barton, himself a telegraphist, working in Burma, started
focussing attention of the authorities on the grievances of telegraph
workers through the columns of various news papers under a psendonym. In
1906 he started a Magazine called as Telegraph Recorder in name of a
Chinese Gentleman. For the trade Union activites and for the publication
of 'Telegraph Recorder', Com. Henry Barton was suspended from service.
He was proceeded for the publication of the journal. But the Chineese
gentlemen had accepted his authorship and pleaded for Com. Henry Barton.
However the Department had transferred him from Burma to Berhampur
(Orissa). He had availed two years leave and finally established the
Indian Telegraph Association in 1908 with the head quarters at Calcutta
and launched the first strike of telegraphists which lasted for 10 days.
This successful strike had resulted in the revision of salaries to the
telegraphists and defacto recognition ensured by the method of
collective bargaining. Postal signallers who had worked in the place of
telegraphists during the strike did not get the benefits. After the
Strike, Com. Henry Barton was dismissed from the service and he become
the full time worker of 'Indian Telegraph Association'.
Merger of Postal of Telecom & its first achievement
During
1912, the Government has consolidated the Postal & Telecom and
brought under one Department and under the control of D. G P&T.
Therefore Com. Henry Barton, Sen Gupta & Babu Tarapada joined
together and led the mass of the P&T Workers. During the first world
war (1914 to 1918), their united movement has brought the Dearness
Allowance first to Govt. employees as Rs.3/- & Rs.5/-in the name of
grain allowance.
145 days Bombay Strike in 1920
The
Russion Revolution in 1917 has created a new atmosphere and the working
class movement had emerged with a new spirit throughout the world. It
had its impact in India also. During post war period since 1918 onwards
there were series of working class strikes in the country and the
discontent was due to post war expenditure made the life miserable and
intolerable. The Postal employees are not in exemption but they were in
the forefront of working class struggle.
On
16th March 1918 Bombay City Postmen Union was formed due to the efforts
of Shri. V. G. Dalvi. Bar-at-law and he was the first Secretary. The
Postmen of Bombay City conducted a glorious strike in September 1920
which lasted for 145 days. The telegraph messangers had also joined the
strike later. Ultimately discussions were held with the Presidency
Postmaster and Chief Supdt. of Central Telegraph office Bombay and an
agreement was reached resulting in redressal of many grievances of the
Postmen. The Postmen Union, thereafter was formed at Poona, Ahemedabad
and other places. Ultimately the Bombay Presidency Postmen and Lower
Grade staff Union had been formed and it carried the T.U. activities.
Bihar Dhoti Strike
The
Postal Clerk was paid Rs.20/- only as pay in the year 1916. Most of the
officials were retired with the maximum of Rs.30/- or Rs.40/- atmost.
Their repeated representations yielded with no results. The staff of
Muzzaffarpur H.O. had decided to come in Dhoti for duty from 2/2/1919 to
record the protest and anger. It spread to other cities in Bihar. The
Viceroy had no other alternative except to announce an increase of
Rs.10/- per head and the Dhoti agitation had ended in 4 or 5 days with
successful results.
Formation of Postal Union & others from 1920 to 1932
The
All India Post office and R.M.S union was formed in the year 1920 under
the Leadership of Babu Tarapada Mukherji. During the post war period on
account of the mounting pressure of the workers, the Government had
appointed a Telegraph Enquiry committee and a separate committee for
Postal Employees under the Chairmanship of Mr. H. H. Haseltine C.I.E.
Mr. Barton was nominated as a member of the Telegraph Enquiry Committee.
But in the Postal committee, no union representative was nominated and
particularly, they denied the right to Babu Tarapada Mukherjee, being
nominated as the member of the committee.
Based
on the recommendations of these committees, time scale of pay was
introduced in the place of grade system in the year 1927. As the report
was unsatisfactory, there were serious protests among the Postal
employees. Babu Tarapada demanded that pay of the clerk should be
enhanced from Rs.60/- to Rs.200/- and end the discrimination to the
staff working in R.M.S. & D.L.O as the benefit of pay
revision was not extended to them. A separate R. M.S. Union was then
formed at Gorakhpur and one more union named as "The Association of Town
Inspectors and Inspector of Post Offices' also sprang up during 1926-27
to project their cadre interest. Between 1920 to 1932 some more unions
were formed. The Circle Offices Staff Association was recognized by the
Government in April 1930. Thus from 2 unions in 1920, it mounted to 20
by 1930. But the degree of unionization increased consistently from 19%
in 1920 to 43.75% in 1932. This rise and fall in the P & T Trade
Union movement during this period was due to the fact that the entire
movement was in the hands of few leaders & mass of the workers were not properly trained on Trade Union lines.
Babu Tarapada demise - A blow to P & T movement
Babu
Tarapada had gone to Simla to discuss about the selection grade
problems in clerical cadre. A bogus telegram was issued in the name of
Profulla (his nephew) that "Biren attacked with small fox. Come
immediately," Biren way his elder son. Tarapada returned only after
discussion of the issue. Babu Tarapada died on 20.09.1929 which gave a
blow to the P&T movement. Com. N. C. Sengupta was elected as General
Secretary and thereafter he led the movement.
In
1931, Government has decided upon the policy of retrenchment and
decided 10% cut in salaries. This could not be resisted effectively due
to splinter groups of unions which had not come together to launch any
struggle. This stalmate was continued upto 1934, In 1934 the Government
appointed the Postal Enquiry Committee known as Pasricha Committee which
recommended new scales of pay from July 31, 1934.
1939 to 1946 - 3 week Postmen strike
During
1939 to 1945, no significant movement took place due the Second World
War. But the movement under went a qualitative change. The membership in
this year touched a new height of 51%. The discontentment amongst the
employees increased by leaps and bounds as the Government did not
implement the adjudicator's award (Justice Rajadhakaya). All these
resulted in Postmen strike of 1946. This was also joined by A. I. Postal
and R.M.S. Employees Union. This was called off after three weeks when
the agreement was signed. As a result of implementation of the award,
the P & T Employees were paid 15% of pay (i.e) Rs.3.75 as Grain
Compensation Allowance and Good Conduct Pay was raised to Rs.10/-. This
strike also shook the Government completely and to some extent helped
the independence struggle of the country.
1947 to 1954
With
the dawn of Independence the T.U. movement gained further momentum and U
P T W (Union of P & T workers) was formed on 13th August 1947 by
merger of All India Postal & RMS Union, the Indian P&T Union led
by Com. M. A. Jabbar and the Indian Telegraph Association led by Dr. G.
Noronha. The major union of the All India Postmen & L. G. Staff
union (lead by com. G. Dalvi) however kept out. The membership swelled
from 61% in 1947 to 67% in 1950. On the eve of Independence, 1st pay
commission was appointed to set down some principles for wage
determination and rationalization of pay scales. The recommendations of
First pay commission acquired national significance as it replaced
regional scales. Within 2 years of the acceptance of recommendation of
the 1st pay commission Report, a dispute arose on the question of
Dearness allowance as the Government refused to implement the
recommendations of the Commission. The threat of strike in 1949 and
later in 1951 brought some adhoc relief. The threatened strike of 1949
had resulted in long term imprisonment of Com. O. P. Gupta, then General
Secretary U P T W and other leading comrades all over the country. Com.
Khushal Singh, Postmen, Com. Janak Gupta T. O. and a few others were
dismissed in the year 1949.
Realignment and Formation of NFPTE
The
question of the Realignment of all the existing P&T Unions was
mooted as early as 1948 and was even discussed in a conference. Again in
1952 the issue came to the fore but agreement was not arrived at. In
1954 a scheme of Realignment was circulated to elicit opinion from all
those concerned. The Govt. approved scheme for the realignment of Unions
in full was released through a special circular by the then Director
General, Posts and Telegraphs Shri. H. L. Jerath (No. SPA- 351/20/47 dt.
2nd July, 1954)
The
scheme envisaged nine All India Unions (for the Class - IV and allied
cadres - 4 for the class III and allied cadre-4, one for the Class III
and Class IV cadres). The unions will be formed section wise i.e.
Postal, RMS Engineering and Traffic (two in each one for Class III and
another for Class IV) and in the Administrative Offices the service
Association will represent both the Class III and Class IV cadre. The
nine unions will be federated as a body. These are the technical
aspects.
The
welcome feature was the right of sole representation of the P&T
employees was vested with the Federation of these nine Unions. The
special features are the nine unions will be compulsorily affiliated to
the Federation and the Federation has also no right to expel its
affiliates. The All India Unions will however, be autonomous so far as
the questions relating only to its members are concerned. The All India
Unions will also be separately recognized by the Government. The
membership enrolment be through the respective All India Unions only.
After
the coming into being of the Federation those unions/Associations which
do not join the scheme of Realignment and opt for retaining their
distinct recognition as a different body will not have the right to
enrol any new members. They will be permitted to retain their original
membership.
This
scheme was accepted by the Unions of P&T Workers, All India P.M.
& L.G. Staff Union, All India Postal & RMS Union, Telegraph
Workmen's Union, Telegraph & Telephone Engineering Union and
Telegraph Line Staff Union,
The
Union which accepted the scheme established the All India Ad-hoc
Committee of the respective unions (9) and issued instructions in
September 1954 for implementing the scheme. The time schedule for
holding the All India Conferences in 7-10 November, 1954 at Delhi was
also drawn up. The joint session of the Nine All India unions were held
at Vinaynagar New Delhi at 6 PM on Sunday the 24th November 1954. The
nine All India conferences held their open sessions on the 22nd
November, 1954 and continued up to 24th November 1954. The Federal
Councilors of the nine All Indian Unions (realigned) who met at 4.30
P.M. on 24th November. 1954 adopted a resolution which stated inter alia
that the National Federation of P&T Employees is established on
this day the 24th November, 1954.
The
elections were held in the most democratic manner. Contests did take
place for the important posts including that of the Secretary General.
Decision on crucial issues were taken at different levels and stages by
the representatives and in appropriate forums.
Since
1954 the NFPTE has chequered history and a glorious record of services
to the membership and the Central Government Employees movement.
1957 Strike Call Led To Setting Up of Second Pay Commission
The economic conditions drifted from bad to worst and the inflation has hit the employees worse. The
NFPTE therefore demanded for setting up of a Second Pay Commission and
immediate grant of interim Relief and served strike notice in August
1957. The other organizations of Central Government employees under the
aegis of Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers also
gave the strike notices. This has resulted the Government in
announcement of appointment of 2nd Pay Commission.
July 1960 Strike
The
report of the Second Pay Commission caused deep disappointment and
resentment amongst the employees. The norms of D.A. were slashed. Need
based minimum wage as per the norms of 15th I.L.C. was denied on the
plea of flexibility pay scales. The employees were depressed due to
incremental rates which were either not improved or in some cases
reduced. These retrograde recommendations of Second Pay Commission led
to 5 days strike in Central Government Employees from 12th July 1960
spearheaded by NFPTE. The Government let loose a reign of terror and
adopted severe repressive measures. Thousands of workers all over the
country were arrested, suspended, removed from service and faced trials
in the courts of law. 17780 P&T employees were arrested and put
behind the bar. NFPTE was derecognized, which was subsequently restored
in 1962. But inspite of derecognition, NFPTE continued to function and
all the disabilities of 1960 strike were got nullified and none amongst
the rank of NFPTE remained out of job.
Appointment of Das Body & Gajendragadkar Commission on D.A. Issue
The
employees were unable to accept the dying wage. The D.A. issue remained
the main focal point of dispute. The Chinese aggression in 1962 and
Pakistan aggression in 1965 delayed the settlement of the genuine issues
of Government employees. However Government has appointed Das Body for
consideration of D.A. in 1964. It had recommended to grant additional
D.A. and also to revise the D.A. formula but the Government rejected its
recommendations. The Government through mass pressure was again
compelled to appoint another commission headed by justice P. B.
Gajendrgadkar in 1967. This commission as well as National Commission on
labour recommended the appointment of 3rd pay commission. But this was
not done.
Introduction of the Scheme of Joint Consultative Machinery and compulsory arbitration scheme
The
1960 glorious strike although failed but it forced the Government to
concede many demands bit by bit later on. The Government in its anxiety
to avert such catastrophe conceived the scheme of Joint Consultation and
Arbitration Scheme in 1963. The scheme was finally accepted by the
recognized unions in the year 1966 after seeking improvements in the
scheme. The important feature got introduced in the scheme was that no
new union in any department would be recognized where a union
representing all the categories of staff broadly and adequately existed.
1968 Strike
Under
the leadership of NFPTE, the P & T workers acquired lot of gains
and settled many of their long standing demands. The maximum settlement
was reached in the year 1967. In 1968, the Staff side National Council
of JCM raised the demand for need based minimum wage according to 15th
I.L.C. norms. The Government refused to settle it and therefore a
disagreement was signed. The Government thereafter refused to refer the
demand to Board of Arbitration under the Scheme. This compelled the
Central Government Employees to go on one day token strike on 19.09.68.
In P & T, the strike was massive and very wide spread. The
Government has adopted the same repressive measures, like mass scale
arrests, termination, suspension and derecognition of Unions. There was
human loss of strikers who had been shot by the police. Several leaders
were arrested and put behind the bar. There was heavy victimizations
throughout the nation. The NFPTE was derecognized immediately. The NFPTE
could be recognized again in 1970 only through court order.
Formation of Rival Unions
In
the wake of one day token strike and derecognition of NFPTE w.e.f.
21.09.68, the P & T Department gave recognition to a rival
federation on paper without membership throwing overboard all the norms
of recognition of unions and unilaterally breaking the realignment
scheme. The FNPO was formed and extended all patronage by the ruling
Congress Government then.
Most
of the disgruntled elements joined the rival unions. Lately the Janata
Government has given recognition to a third Federation based on
political consideration against the avowed principle of one union in one
Industry as outlined in the manifesto of Janata Party. Thus the
Bhartiya Postal Federation was formed on 17.11.78.
Historic & Glorious Strike of P4 - 19.09.1984
The
P4 Union under the leadership of Com. Adinarayana had called upon one
day token strike on 19.09.1994 exclusively for the ED demands.
Eventhough the strike was a great and historic success, the non
participation of other wings under NFPTE and the role of the Federation
has raised several debates aftermath of the strike. However, this strike
has revived the strength of the movement and cut the ice in the long
silence of strike action since 1968 in the P&T movement.
Bifurcation of P&T and Formation of NFPE
The
bifurcation of the P&T Department took place on 1.1.1985.
Resultantly, there was no alternative except to bifurcate the NFPTE also
and accordingly by in the 18th Federal council of NFPTE held at Kolkata
from 17.03.86 to 21.03.86, the separate federation for Postal Unions
was formed under the name of 'National Federation of Postal Employees’.
Com. N. J. Iyer, Com. K. L. Moza and Com. Des Raj Sharma were duly
elected as the first President. Secretary General, and Treasurer
respectively for the newly formed 'NFPE. Com. Adinarayana was elected as
Deputy Secretary General of the Federation.
Eventhough
an arrangement to continue the NFPTE as the co ordinating body for
Postal & Telecom was decided in the council, it was not implemented
whole heartedly after the bifurcation. NFPE is nothing but the replica
of NFPTE.
First Attack on RMS
During
the period between 1982-85, Sorting work in running trains in Railway
Mail Service in about 285 sections all over India was abolished. This
has rendered surplus of nearly 4500 posts of sorting Assistants and
about 3000 van peons (Group D). Night sets have been abolished at many
places.
Jabalpur
conference of R3 union decided to organize one day token strike which
took place on 06.06.1985 for the exclusive demands of R3.
Participation of mass movement
Dharwar
Federal Council held in 1992 has resolved to join all the workers
movement of the nation whenever the mass platform organisation called
upon for direct action. Since then, the NFPE is involving its all cadres
for all such programmes.
Local Struggles
The
NFPTE & NFPE being the mass movement have already encouraged the
local struggles and extended its support to the local agitations. Few
examples of local struggles are furnished just for information.
1.
5000 Postmen of Bombay city struck work from 01.06.92 to protest
against the combination of beats and curtailment of deliveries. NFPE
intervened on 04.06.92. The Chief PMG was forced to sit with the Circle
union leaders and agreement was signed to keep all the orders under
abeyance and there was no victimization for the participation of the
strike.
2.
The Postmen of Chandigarh and Ludhiana conducted total strike from
01.06.92 to 07.06.92 to protest against the curtailment of deliveries
and combination of beats. The strike was called off on 07.06.02 after
holding a special meeting with the circle union leaders where all the
orders were kept under abeyance and there was no victimization.
3.
Glorious Strike of Kerala: Against abolition of Mail offices and change
in the pattern of sorting in the shape of outward and inward, the RMS
employees of Kerala Circle started strike from 08.06.92. the Strike
started from Changanacherry which was spread to the entire circle
including post offices. The entire state was paralised. The authorities
efforts to shift the RMS work to Post offices was effectively resisted
and defeated. The strike was called off on 18.06.92 after an agreement
with Circle union leaders was reached.
4.
Against abolition of 56 posts of Postmen & thier redeployment, New
Delhi GPO & New Delhi Central Division have served strike notice on
07.11.94 and complained to Regional Labour Commissioner. Other division
had also served strike notice on 26.11.94.
5.
North East Region: - The officials working in Telecom & 34 others
Departments of C. G. were drawing the special Duty Allowance and only in
the postal it was denied. The Department of Posts appealed against the
CAT, Guwahati decision allowing SDA to all C. G. Employees working in
the region and obtained a stay order. In case of other Departments,
either stay was not granted or the Departments did not appeal. This has
resulted a total strike from 02.06.91 to 08.06.91 in the region.
The
Federations advised the Circle unions of North East regions to suspend
the agitation in view of the general elections and make it as one of the
demand in the proposed All India Strike to be held from 15.07.01.
Accordingly, the circle unions called off the strike on 09.06.91.
Thereafter,
as there was no improvement in the demand, the Circle unions of Assam
& North East Region went on Strike for 38 days from 15.11.91 to
22.12.91. This was called off on 22.12.91 after reaching the agreement
on the following.
(i) No victimization
(ii) Pay advance to all & will be adjusted in three monthly installments
(iii) Strike period will be adjusted against EL.
The
Government assured that the issue will be resolved at the earliest.
Hon'ble Supreme Court delivered its judgment on 20.09.94 setting aside
the judgment of the Guwahati of Cuttack CAT. Two sitting judges Hon
Kuldeep Singh & V. D. L. H. while setting aside the judgment however
granted no recovery from the officials who have been paid the SDA. This
causes another kind of discrimination between Postal & Telecom in
the same Ministry.
The
comrades of Assam & NE again went on one day token strike again on
19.02.95 and there was heavy victimization. Several Rule 37 transfers
were ordered. Leaders were punished on flimsy reasons.
However
the issue was settled only after the implementation of Sixth CPC. Our
CHQ had a role in demandings SDA to Postal Employees of the region
through our memorandum and also in oral evidence.
6.
Tamilnadu: - While the Government has caused orders to treat the Bonus
strike period as eligible leave to regular employees, the ED employees
were denied and depressed. The P3 circle union of Tamilnadu Circle in
order to register protest over the arbitrary treatment to EDAS has
conducted one day to the strike on 30.04.1995 which was a total success
in the circle.
There
were many such local struggles conducted by the circles/divisions.
However, the particulars of these actions are not available on records.
If the circle secretaries/divisional Secretaries consolidate the
particulars of local struggles conducted in their area, its achievements
and victimization etc. the CHQ will compile all these items and publish
in the Bhartiya Post or publish a separate book on local struggles.
Opinions/suggestions among the participants of the workshop is also
invited.
December 1993 Strike
On
18.09.83, the union cabinet has agreed for appointment of 5th CPC as a
consequence of negotiation held in the wake of C. G. Employees from
decision for General Strike which was scheduled to commence from
12.10.93. 5th CPC was appointed on 09.04.94 with Chairman Justice S. R.
Pandian, member Prof. Suresh Tendulkar and Member Secretary, M. K. Khan.
NFPTE directed the Staff Side Secretary National council (JCM) to
include the demand of formation of independent ED Committee &
scrapping of New Recognition Rules. Justice Talwar Committee on EDAs was
appointed on 31.03.95 due to the Four days strike the Postal JCA
launced from 07.12.93 to 10.12.93.
New Recognition Rules 1993
The
revised Recognition rules were notified by Government vide Mo
2/10/80-JCA (Vol. IV) dt. 05.11.93. NFPE protested the rules since
Federations & GDS are not covered by this rules. Filed a case in
Delhi High Court. The Court dismissed the petition. During the first
verification held in 1995, NFPE boycotted. However no union could be
recognized as no one had secured 35% in that verification. However, NFPE
has made to participate the verification held in 1997 after the
formation of separate set of rules for GDS as 'EDA (RS) Rules 1995 for
the verification of membership.
Achievements & Gains
The
significant achievement of NFPTE is the agreement reached in 1974 with
the P&T Board on 20% promotional avenue for the P & T workers.
It has been successful in getting 16 holidays plus two restricted
holidays for the P & T operative staff. The Bonus strike has
compelled the Government to grant bonus to postal employees at par with
Railway. The Two promotions (TBOP & BCR) was its achievement where
no such provision of automatic promotion was available in any other
Central Government Departments.
Conclusion
NFPE
is still the premier organization of Postal workers even in the midst
and emergence of rival federation and unions. It has today having 70%
and more membership of Postal employees. It is an independent
organization and not affiliated to any Central Trade Union or
organization. It comprises of all shades of opinions.
There
has been an unfortunate period of serious infighting for some years.
But despite this and the serious attack on it by the Government during
the black days of emergency, when the duly elected office bearers were
not recognized, journals were burnt, leaders were arrested and put
behind the bars and unleashed all forms of repressive measures to crush
the organization, the NFPTE (NFPE) has survived and emerged more united
and stronger.
Thus,
the NFPE with its glorious history and tradition has committed and
determined to serve the Postal Workers to improve their economic and
service conditions and continue to serve as the vanguard of the Central
Government employees movement as a whole.
The
innate faith of the P&T works to the NFPTE/NFPE and their loyalty
to the organsation cuts across all kinds of barriers primarily because
the links and communion between the rank and file and the Central
Leadership is continuous true and real.
The
Postal workers by their own experience and wisdom thus acquired have
identified and accepted the NFPE as the only organization which can
spearhead the struggle body at the Centre. Its message and mandate are
honoured by nearly five lakh employees who constitute the NFPE.
The NFPE is a movement and no power can halt this force on its onward March.