STRIKE IS OVER, BUT THE STRUGGLE WILL CONTINUE.
WE ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH
The two days historic
strike that shook the country is over. About twelve crores workers participated
in the strike. About ten lakhs Central Government employees including five
lakhs postal and RMS employees joined the mass upsurge of the Indian working
class. In many states the strike turned into total bundh and in other parts of
the country also it affected all the sectors of industry and other service
sectors. The total unity and commitment exhibited by the entire trade unions
has no parallel in the history of our country.
The
Central Government tried to ignore or underestimate the strike in the initial
stage. But the largest mobilistaion of the workers throughout the length and
breadth of the country, compelled the Government to negotiate with the leaders
at last minute. The first round discussion held with the cabinet Minister for
labour, Sri Mallikarjun Kharge and second round discussion with the Group of
Cabinet Ministers headed by Sri. A. K. Antony, Defence Minister, failed as the
Government simply sought more time and was not ready to settle any of the
demands raised by the unions and appealed the leaders to call off the strike.
The Secretary, Department of Posts also made a similar appeal to call off the
strike, even when the main demands raised by the Postal JCA (NFPE & FNPO)
remained unsettled.
In
addition to the demands raised by the Central Trade Unions, the Confederation
of Central Government Employees & Workers and the Postal JCA has raised the
demands of constitution of seventh Central Pay Commission, merger of 50% DA
with pay, removing the restriction on compassionate appointments, filing up of
all vacant posts, Departmentalization of GDS and related issues, Revision of
wages of casual labourers and regularization, scrapping of PFRDA bill, raising
the bonus ceiling limit, grant of five promotions, OTA revision, abolition of
posts, outsourcing, contractorisation, privatization, cadre restructuring etc.
also in the strike notice served to the Government and the Department of Posts.
Government was not ready to settle any of the above demands and hence the
question of calling off the strike did not arise at all.
In the
Postal the strike was conducted under the banner of Joint council of action
(JCA) comprising NFPE & FNPO. The Strike was near total in majority of the
circles and about 60 to 80% in the remaining circles. The entire Postal and RMS
services were paralysed for two days. Both Departmental employees and Gramin
Dak Sevaks exhibited perfect unity in the strike. NFPE and its affiliated
unions including GDS had already conducted a one day strike on 12th December 2012. Naturally,
there was apprehension about successfully organizing two days strike within a
short span of two months. But the mass scale participation of the employees in
the two days strike proved that workers are ready even for still higher form of
action, if the Government is not ready to settle their genuine and legitimate
demands.
What next
is the question before us and working class of our country. Even though the two
days strike is over, we have no other go, except carrying forward the struggle
with added vigour taking inspiration from the mass sanction and determination
of the workers at large. There is no short cut. As correctly pointed out by
Late Com. K. G. Bose who revolutionized the P&T Trade union movement-“the
organized trade union movement has drawn lessons that all illusions about the
Government policies should be given up and has come to the conclusion that it
is not a question of appealing to the sense of injustices of the Government,
but the relative strength of the organized movement and the forces combating
it, which will decide their future”.
The
Government and the ruling class will try their best to implement their policies
by retaining the power and their supremacy over the people of the country and
working class. But history has taught us that they cannot continue their
anti-people, anti-worker policies forever. A day will come and the balance of
power will definitely change in favour of the toiling masses of this country
and the ruling class and their neoliberal policies will be thrown to the
dustbin of history and an alternative force with alternative policies shall
emerge defeating the policies of the present day ruling class. The alternative
policy will never be the imperialist globalization polices. It will be a policy
which will lead us to the path of socialism. That day shall come, no sooner
than later. Such a change is not easy. We have to suffer and be ready for
bigger sacrifices. NFPE is committed to this task.
The
power-that-be should not be under the illusions that the working class will not
go for another strike in the near future. They should clearly understand
that-“the fire that is burning with flames and the fire that is burning beneath
the ashes, are both fire”. The fire beneath the ashes may burst out at any time
again as a wild fire. The growing anger, protest and discontentment among the
common people and workers may burst out at any time. No Government on earth can
withstand such a mass upsurge of the common people and the toiling masses.
Government should take note of the writings on the wall. Brutal killing of the
workers, severe victimizations and using the force to suppress the protest, may
not succeed.
Comrades,
the path before us is not full of roses, but full of obstacles and of
sufferings. But we are sure that at the end of the tunnel, there will be light.
If winter comes, can they prevent the onset of the spring? Let us move forward
unitedly with the working class of our country and let us loudly proclaim
without any hesitation that – “We are on
the right path”.
CIRCULAR OF CONFEDERATION ON STRIKE AND SCOVA MEETING
Circular No. Conf/23/2013 Dated: 25.2.2013
Dear Comrade,
The 48 hour two day
General Strike
The
two days strike, for which the call was given by the Joint Platform of Trade
Unions in the country through the National Convention held at New Delhi on 4th September, 2012 was a tremendous
success. Not only the workers in the country but also common people
supported the strike action in many States. It is estimated by the
Central Trade Unions that more than 10 crore workers might have participated in
the strike. In other words more than 50 crore people of the
country supported the action. The overwhelming response in the
mightiest strike action ever of the Indian working Class is
indicative of the growing anger against the economic policies pursued by the
Government. There had been constant and continuous increase in the prices
of basic needs of the common people i.e. food items, gas, diesel, gas, coal
electricity etc. in the last two years. The inflation in the economy
continued unabated despite the assurance held out by the rulers, as a matter of
course. to contain it.
Every decision of the UPA II Government has fuelled the
inflation in the economy and consequent rise in prices of all essential
commodities. Despite the lathi charge and arrest of the workers in
certain parts of the country, the strike had been by far
peaceful. Leader of the Haryana Roadways Corporation
affiliated to AITUC was killed in Ambala Transport Depot in a tragic incident
when the Transport authorities decided to take a bus from the depot against the
opposition of the workers. Most of the State Governments especially the TMC led
West Bengal State Govt. Did their best to suppress the strike action without
success.
All vital sectors viz.
Bank, Insurance, Central and State Government offices, Industrial
Establishments, Ports and Docks, Surface Transport except Railways and
Airlines, Power etc. remained paralysed. The Central
Government employees on the call of the Confederation of CGE and workers
responded magnificently. There had been apprehension of the extent
of participation in the two day strike action especially after the one day
strike on 12.12.2012 on the 15 point charter of demands. The report
we have received at the CHQ proves that the apprehension was totally misplaced
and the number of employees who participated in the 20th and 21st Feb. 2013 was more than we could elicit on 12thDecember. 2012. No doubt in some of the
organisation, the strike participation on comparison with 12th December, was less. But this has been more
than made up by the other organisation who could improve their position of
participation on 20th and
21st. We append hereunder the Press Statement we
issued on 21st Feb.
on the basis of the reports we have received through telephone and SMS.
The unprecedented
participation of workers in the strike had been the manifestation of the
people's resentment to the economic policies of the Government which
has virtually made the poor poorer and the rich richer. They have asserted in no
uncertain terms that these policies must be reversed at all cost for India to
remain a sovereign republic. The recent decisions of the Government to
allow FDI in Pension, and increase FDI foray in the Banking and
Insurance Sector will bring back the country to serfdom. The
struggle will have to continue and the campaign against the policies must pick
up further momentum in the months to come.
There had been continuous
propaganda by the Government through electronic media that the Government employees
do not have the right to strike and not only "dies non" but
disciplinary action will also be taken against the striking
employees. It has been proved on a number of occasions that the
vindictive actions will be resorted to by the Government when the unity is
disrupted and the strike participation for one reason or other
dwindle. The greatest safeguard against such
barbarous and vindictive actions is to preserve our unity and
determination and tread the path of struggle with cent per cent participation. Campaign
amongst the mass of the employees to bring home the pernicious impact of the
economic policies in the day to day life and standard of living is a
pre-requisite for the success of the strike action. Wherever, this
has been done, it has paid rich dividends.
We must review the two
day strike action as soon as possible. Since the Conference of the
Confederation is due in the month of April, it may not be possible
to convene the National Executive meeting immediately. We are
planning to meet in the Sectt. and in order to enable us to conduct a proper
review, we need the following information both from the State
Committees and the Central HQrs of the affiliated Association. The
format is given in the annexure to this communication. Kindly ensure
that the reports are sent to us by 10th March, 2013.
With
greetings and once again conveying our sincere gratitude and congratulations to
all the affiliates, State Committees and the Active workers and leaders who
made the strike a magnificent success.
Yours fraternally,
K.K.N. Kutty
Secretary General
Annexure
Format for sending report
A. For State Committees.
(a) Name
of the State.
(b) Name
of the Association/Federations which participated in the strike with percentage
of participation.
(c) Name
of the Association/Federation which did not take part in the strike.
(d) Name
of the organisations which participated in the strike despite the call from
their CHQ.
(e) Name
of the stations visited by the leaders as part of the campaign.
B. For affiliates.
(a) Name of the Federation/All India Association.
(b) Number of Units/Bramches
(c) Name of the Unit/Branch which participated in the
strike.
(d) Name of the Units.\/brnaches which did not take part in
the strike.
(e) Specific reasons advanced by the Units for non
participation
(f) Name of the Units visited by the leaders
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