The Hindu : National : Postal Extra Departmental staff to strike work from today

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Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004

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Postal Extra Departmental staff to strike work from today

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 13 . The All-India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union has decided to go on an indefinite strike from tomorrow in support of its demand for merger of 50 per cent Dearness Allowance with pay, grant of trade union facilities and pension.

According to D. Subramanian, president of the All-India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union, they represented three lakh postal employees responsible for offering and maintaining communication services to rural India, and also promote and provide the small savings facilities.

The Supreme Court had in 1977 had ruled that the extra departmental employees (earlier known as "extra departmental" and now designated as "Gramin Dak Sevaks") were holders of civil posts and performed the business under the same rules and were governed by similar conduct rules.

"But in the most discriminatory and arbitrary manner, the Gramin Dak Sevaks have been grossly denied all facilities and benefits," Mr. Subramanian said.

The union has met the Communications Minister, Dayanidhi Maran, whose attitude towards them was "positive" following which the employees decided to drop the "indefinite fast."

The indefinite strike will, however, be held outside the Dak Bhavan.

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