Postal Employees’ Movement: From Glorious Legacy to Present Challenges
-Bruhaspati Samal-
The history of the Indian postal employees’ movement is not merely the story of a trade union organisation; it is the story of courage, sacrifice, unity and unwavering commitment to justice for the working class. For generations, postal workers across the country have stood united to defend their rights, improve their working conditions and safeguard the dignity of labour. Among the organisations that shaped this historic journey, the National Federation of Postal Employees and its major constituent, the All India Postal Employees Union, Group-C, have played a central and unforgettable role. These organisations were born in an era when India was still under colonial rule and when the rights of employees were severely restricted, and it was during those difficult times that postal workers realised that without unity and collective strength justice would remain a distant dream—an idea that echoes the ancient Vedic message, “Sangachhadhwam Samvadadhwam Sam Vo Manamsi Janatam,” which calls upon people to move together, speak together and keep their minds united.
Long before independence, postal employees had begun organising themselves to challenge injustice and demand humane service conditions. At that time employees worked under extremely harsh circumstances with long working hours, poor wages, lack of job security and almost no welfare measures, yet the collective awakening among postal workers gradually transformed this hardship into organised resistance, reflecting another Vedic teaching, “Samani Va Akuti Samana Hridayani Vah,” meaning let intentions be united and hearts become one, a principle that mirrors the very foundation upon which every successful workers’ movement must stand. The early decades of the postal employees’ movement were marked by extraordinary courage and sacrifice, and during the years surrounding independence postal workers participated in nationwide struggles demanding fair wages and democratic rights for government employees despite facing intimidation, suspension and disciplinary action, just as history repeatedly shows that when ordinary people unite around a just cause they create extraordinary strength, much like the diverse forces in the Ramayana who joined together with a shared purpose to defeat injustice.
One of the important phases of the postal movement emerged in the late 1940s and early 1950s when employees across the country united to demand improvements in service conditions and wage structures, strengthening the understanding that postal workers were part of a broader national working-class movement, a reminder that collective strength—like the combined effort described in the Puranic episode of Samudra Manthan where even opposing forces worked together to churn the ocean—often becomes the only path to achieving something valuable. Another historic phase came during the nationwide government employees’ movement in the early decades after independence when postal workers stood shoulder to shoulder with other central government employees demanding fair wage policies and recognition of trade union rights, and though many employees faced suspension, imprisonment and financial hardship, their unity remained unshaken, demonstrating once again that when people stand together adversity can be overcome. The 1960s witnessed one of the most dramatic struggles in the history of government employees’ movements when postal workers actively participated in a nationwide strike demanding fair wages, humane working conditions and recognition of trade union rights, and despite harsh repression, arrests and dismissals the collective determination of workers proved that unity among employees can withstand even the strongest pressure.
Eventually the sacrifices made during that struggle compelled the authorities to reconsider their position and recognition of the organisations was restored, reinforcing the enduring truth that rights are rarely granted voluntarily but are secured through perseverance, sacrifice and solidarity. In the decades that followed, postal employees continued to play a significant role in nationwide movements of central government employees whenever issues of wage revision, service conditions or pension rights arose, standing united with other departments under the banner of the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers and achieving improvements in pay structures, fair service rules, pension provisions and welfare measures through sustained collective effort. Throughout this long journey the guiding principle of the postal movement remained unity, as workers from different regions, languages and backgrounds stood together with a shared sense of purpose, demonstrating that the strength of an organisation lies not in the authority of a few individuals but in the collective determination of thousands of ordinary members committed to solidarity and justice.
History and tradition also warn that organisations weaken when unity gives way to ego and internal rivalry. The Mahabharata offers a powerful reminder that even a mighty empire can collapse when arrogance and internal divisions destroy collective wisdom, while the Ramayana illustrates that victory over injustice became possible only because diverse groups united with discipline and shared commitment—two timeless lessons that remain equally relevant for modern organisations.
Today the above two historic organisations of postal employees are passing through a difficult phase. The derecognition of the unions by the authorities since April 2023 has created a serious challenge for the movement and legal battles are being fought to restore recognition and protect the democratic rights of employees, and at such moments the ancient wisdom that emphasises unity becomes especially relevant. Moreover, in such circumstances the survival and revival of the movement depend greatly on patience, discipline and unity among members. But, unfortunately recent developments have created concern among many members. Instead of collective reflection and coordinated action disagreements within sections of leadership have begun to surface publicly, and the exchange of accusations, letters and debates on social media platforms has created confusion and disappointment among ordinary members who remember the glorious traditions of unity that once guided the movement. When internal conflicts become public the greatest damage is done to the credibility and dignity of the organisation itself, because the reputation built through decades of sacrifice can weaken if personal differences overshadow organisational responsibility. Trade union leadership therefore demands maturity, patience and the ability to place collective interest above personal pride.
Members of the postal movement must remember that organisations are always greater than individuals. Leaders may come and go but movements survive through generations, and the benefits enjoyed by postal employees today are the result of long struggles conducted by earlier generations who endured hardship and repression in order to secure justice for their colleagues. Those pioneers never allowed personal ambition to divide them. They understood that discipline, unity and shared commitment form the backbone of a workers’ movement, and their sacrifices created the strong foundation upon which the present generation stands today. This is therefore a time for introspection and collective wisdom. Every office bearer and every member must ask themselves a simple question: what matters more—personal prestige or the survival and strength of the organisation? When the future of a historic movement is at stake, individual ego must give way to collective responsibility.
The teachings of India’s ancient wisdom once again offer guidance. The Vedic call for unity reminds us that progress becomes possible only when minds and hearts work together and when people speak with one voice and act with shared purpose, just as collective effort has always been the source of strength in every successful movement. Members of the postal movement across the country must therefore remain calm, patient and united during this period of uncertainty. Temporary disagreements should not weaken their faith in the organisations that have served them for decades but should instead strengthen their commitment to the ideals of solidarity and collective struggle. The present crisis must be seen not as an end but as a moment of testing. Every great organisation in history has faced periods of difficulty, and what determines its future is how its members respond during such moments. If unity and discipline prevail the organisation emerges stronger, but if divisions deepen the achievements of the past may slowly fade away.
The history of the postal employees’ movement clearly demonstrates that whenever workers stood united they succeeded in overcoming adversity. Their unity compelled authorities to listen, negotiate and recognise the legitimacy of their demands, and that same spirit of unity is required today to safeguard the future of the movement. Let the members remember the sacrifices of those who went to prison, faced suspension and endured hardship for the sake of the movement, and let them remember that the fair wages, dignified service conditions and welfare measures enjoyed today were achieved only because workers stood together without allowing divisions to weaken their resolve.
At this critical juncture the message to every member must be clear: remain united, reject ego and groupism, uphold the values of discipline and solidarity and preserve the dignity of organisations that have served the postal community for generations. The present crisis will pass, but the legacy of struggle and sacrifice must endure. The future of the movement depends not on a few individuals but on the collective wisdom and unity of its members. If they stand together with determination and patience the historic organisations of postal employees will once again rise with renewed strength and continue their mission of protecting the rights and aspirations of workers. The timeless truth of the workers’ movement remains unchanged: unity creates strength, sacrifice builds history and collective courage secures the future.
(The author is a Service Union Representative and a Columnist, presently working as the General Secretary, Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers and President, Forum of Civil Pensioners' Association / National Coordination Committee of Pensioners' Association, Odisha State Committee)
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