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PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
NEW DELHI, July 16: The eight-day-old strike that badly affected postal services across the country was called off today with the government assuring employees of looking into all ``legitimate grievances'' and not resorting to victimisation.
The strike was called off after two-hour talks between leaders of trade unions and Communications Minister Sushma Swaraj to resolve the issue that provoked noisy scenes leading to adjournments in both Houses of Parliament during the last few days.
Swaraj told reporters that the government would resolve the demands, including implementation of the Justice Talwar Committee Recommendations relating to 3.8 lakh extra departmental agents (EDA) for postal delivery in villages ``very soon.''
Describing employees' decision to call off the stir on mutual faith and understanding as ``a new tradition in the history of trade unions,'' she assured them there would be no victimisation in form of pay-cuts, transfers or suspensions.
RL Bhattacharya, secretary general of the NEW DELHI, July 16: The eight-day-old strike that badly affected postal services across the country was called off today with the government assuring employees of looking into all ``legitimate grievances'' and not resorting to victimisation.
The strike was called off after two-hour talks between leaders of trade unions and Communications Minister Sushma Swaraj to resolve the issue that provoked noisy scenes leading to adjournments in both Houses of Parliament during the last few days.
Swaraj told reporters that the government would resolve the demands, including implementation of the Justice Talwar Committee Recommendations relating to 3.8 lakh extra departmental agents (EDA) for postal delivery in villages ``very soon.''
Describing employees' decision to call off the stir on mutual faith and understanding as ``a new tradition in the history of trade unions,'' she assured them there would be no victimisation in form of pay-cuts, transfers or suspensions.
RL Bhattacharya, secretary general of theNational Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE), and GK Padmanabhan, secretary general of the Federation of National Postal Organisation (FNPO) said in a joint statement that the decision to call off the strike was taken on the basis of mutual trust between the minister and employees.
Replying to a question the Minister said, ``now the ball is in my court, and I will not allow them to resume the strike.'' Secretary, Post, RUS Prasad, said the employees assured that backlog of mail would be cleared within three days. Trade Unions leaders would meet postal secretary tomorrow to solve some of the issues relating to pay scales and an agreement is likely to be signed tomorrow on some of the demands, Padmanabhan told PTI.
Bonus issue was before the Cabinet and the Minister had promised a solution to it soon, he said.
Rajya Sabha witnessed three adjournments over the issue today with Opposition demanding explanation on government's decision to seek army help in running the postal services with Congress and Leftparty members describing the move as one aimed at breaking the strike in an unfair manner.
Swaraj made a statement in the Upper House immediately after the strike was called off, but was shouted down by Opposition members. Later, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee also made a statement in the House on Opposition demand.
Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) greeted the employees saying they have shown ``exemplary unity which could bring all democratic forces for their support''. Over six lakh employees including 3.8 lakh EDAs went on an indefinite strike on July 9 pressing for their 10-point charter of demands after their talks with the Minister failed.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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