NEW GDS UNION FORMED UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF NFPE CAMP :
LET US COME FORWARD, NOURISH AND STRENGTHEN IT
A new union of Gramin Dak Sevak comrades (erstwhile Extra Departmental) has been formed at Amaravathi, Marashtra. The name of the new organisation is 'ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION- GDS (NFPE)'.
During past few years, resentment was fuming inside GDS comrades against the nontransparencies, doubtful activities, autocratic style of functioning of the General Secretary (CHQ), AIPEDEU, S.S.Mahadevaiyah. We are sorry to mention that he is the General Secretary of the poor GDS employees but he is accustomed to lead luxurious and sophisticated lifestyle. Moreover, the General Secretary was totally reluctant to launch effective movements or conflicts against the administration even when GDS 'Employment' Rules was substituted by GDS 'Engagement' Rules, thereby actually converting the GDS cadre into equivalent to Casual Labours. Rather, he preferred to spend his time more to campaign against and malign NFPE, though everyone knows that the names 'NFPE' and 'GDS' are synonyms to each other. On the other hand, he never bothered to explain numerous confusions and questions arose in the minds of the members. In the ongoing All India Conference, he tried to continue same style of functioning and impose on everybody, but comrades were not ready to accept this any more. GDS comrades and NFPE had tried their best to retain the unity of Postal Employees, but finally the General Secretary, GDS Union, compelled us to divide the unity. For the struggling force, there was no other alternative but to form a new Union for the interest of GDS and Postal Employees as a whole.
Finally, a large number of delegates from various Circles, attending the All India Conference of AIPEDEU at Amaravathi, Maharashtra, walked out from the house protesting the activities of S.S.Mahadevaiyah and formed the new All India Union. The All India Committee of 'AIPEU-GDS (NFPE)' is headed by the following comrades:
- President: Com. Bijoy Gopal Sur (West Bengal)
- General Secretary: Com. Pandu Rao (A.P.Circle)
- Treasurer: Com. Murgham (Kerala).
Due to the prevailing situation, the GDS comrades fighting to form a struggling organisation with the banner of NFPE, sought help from and were advised appropriately from different corners of the country by prominent leaders like Com. M.Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE, Com. K.Raghavendran (Working President, Confederation & former S.G., NFPE), Com. K.V.Sridharan (G.S., Group-C), Com. I.S.Dabas (G.S., Postmen & MSE/Gr-D), and Com. Tapan Dasgupta (Circle President Gr-C, West Bengal) & Com. Asit Das (General Secretary, SBCO, West Bengal).
Our Federation (NFPE) is committed to guide, support and nourish the development of this organisation and confident that soon this organisation will emerge as the pioneer of the GDS movement in coming days. The task of all Circle/Branch/Divisional Secretaries and organisers will be to jump into action immediately to shape the newly formed AIPEU GDS (NFPE) everywhere. This is the lesson of history that the struggling force emerges as the main and the largest platform of the workers. The case of BSNL workers is a glaring example. But it will not happen automatically. We have to make it possible.
In this backdrop, All Branch/Divisional Secretaries are required to remain present in the extended circle working committee meeting in Kolkata on 12th April in person without fail, where the situation and our responsibilities will be discussed in details. We are happy to announce that Com. K.N.Parashar, Dy. Secretary General, NFPE, who was present in open session of All India Conference of AIPEDEU and delivered a nice speech for the struggling GDS employees, will be present in our Extended Circle Working Meeting.