HISTORIC STRIKE OF GDS HAS BEGUN

UNPRECEDENTED SHOW OF UNITY AND COURAGE

LONG AWAITED REVOLT OF THE ‘PRISONERS OF STARVATION’

IT IS A DO OR DIE BATTLE

M.Krishnan

Secretary General

Confederation of CGEW

Ex-Secretary General, NFPE

Battle lines are drawn. 

Bugles sounded. 

The war has begun.

About three lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Postal Department has shown the determination and courage to challenge the most unsympathetic and indifferent Narendra Modi Government. When others hesitated, GDS are outright and fight with the Govt face to face. Two and half lakh GDS are on strike from 22^nd May 2018 and 1,29,500 Branch Post Offices remained closed. In some circles, departmental employees joined the strike as a fitting solidarity to the cause of GDS. P4 All India Union too given a call for strike. 

GDS strike is a revolt of the most exploited and down-trodden section of workers. All the four GDS Unions (AIPEU-GDS, AIGDSU, NUGDS & BPEDU) are on strike. It is a unique show of unity in action.

GDS are not beggars or second class citizens of postal department. More than 60% of the employees of the Postal Department are GDS and more than 80% of the Post Offices are GDS Branch Post Offices. Major revenue of the department comes from GDS. They why this discrimination and step-motherly attitude? GDS no more want the lip sympathy of the Postal Board Officers or anybody else. They want their wage revision which is long over due and Civil Servant Status. It is their right and they shall get it. For that they are ready for any sacrifice. It is a do or die battle. Without struggle no victory shall come. GDS shall fight and fight and fight and shall win this battle. No force on earth can stop them from marching towards their goal.

GDS are not afraid of victimization or punishments such as dies-non, put-off duty, removal or dismissal. They are not afraid of arrest or jail. They are the true followers of the legendary leader Com.K.Adinarayana, who had shown them how to fight, even if alone. Com.Adi has taught them that those hands which refuse to raise against injustice and those tongues which refuse to shout against injustice are symbols of slavery. It is Com.Adi who taught them the lesson of class consciousness “an injury to one is an injury to all”. They are poor people, may be less educated but they are intelligent and know how to identify and fight with enemies of workers.

Red salute to all those fighters who are in the battle field. In this kurukshetra war, GDS shall win and history will be re-written in red letters.

Stand united and fight unitedly, come what may.

Unity for struggle & struggle for unity.