PJCA Strongly Opposes Postal Cadre Merger, Submits 12-Point Charter of Demands and Warns of Indefinite Strike
Postal Joint Council of Action (PJCA) Submits Charter of Demands to Postal Directorate – Strong Opposition to Proposed Cadre Merger
New Delhi, 04 November 2026: The Postal Joint Council of Action (PJCA), comprising the National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE), Federation of National Postal Organisations (FNPO), All India Grameena Dak Sevak Union (AIGDSU) and National Union of Grameen Dak Sevaks (NUGDS), has strongly opposed the proposed unification of various postal cadres with the Postal Assistant (Post Office) [PA (PO)] cadre.
In a letter dated 04.11.2026, addressed to the Secretary and Director General, Department of Posts, the PJCA expressed its serious concerns over the proposed merger/unification of the cadres of Sorting Assistant (SA), Postal Assistant (Circle Office/Regional Office), Postal Assistant (SBCO) and Postal Assistant (Foreign Post Office) with the PA (PO) cadre, including their respective supervisory posts.
Strong Opposition to Cadre Merger
The Federations pointed out that each of these cadres has its own distinct functional responsibilities, service requirements, organisational identity, promotional avenues and career progression. They cautioned that merging these cadres into a single unified cadre would adversely affect their separate identities and legitimate service interests.
The PJCA demanded that the existing identities of all cadres be retained and that cadre restructuring be undertaken separately for each category, with effect from 01.01.2016, without disturbing the existing cadre structure and promotional hierarchy already implemented for the PA (PO) cadre.
The letter further stated that despite detailed deliberations and firm representations made during the meeting held at the Directorate on 03.11.2026, no categorical assurance was given regarding the withdrawal of the proposed merger/unification. Several other important issues raised by the Federations also remained unresolved.
PJCA Decides to Pursue Issues Through a United Platform
Expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of concrete assurances, both Federations decided to revive the Postal Joint Council of Action (PJCA) and jointly pursue the outstanding issues through a united organisational platform.
The PJCA has also decided to submit a comprehensive Charter of Demands to the Department, seeking a time-bound resolution of all outstanding issues within 15 days, through meaningful discussions with the PJCA at an appropriate level of the Department.
Major Demands of the PJCA
The Charter of Demands contains the following 12 important issues:
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Withdrawal of the proposed cadre merger: Stop the proposed merger/unification of SA, PA (CO/RO), PA (SBCO) and PA (FPO) cadres with PA (PO), including their respective supervisory posts. Maintain the separate identity of all cadres and finalise cadre restructuring for the remaining categories.
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One Head Office for one District: Drop the proposal of the one Head Office for one District concept.
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Postal and RMS Divisions: Stop the proposed merger of Postal Divisions and RMS Divisions and the bifurcation of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh Circles.
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Separate GDS Judicial Committee: Constitute a separate GDS Judicial Committee for comprehensive revision of pay, allowances and service conditions of GDS employees.
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Protection of departmental establishments: Stop destabilisation of the Postal Department's establishment. Any shifting or destablishing of employees of any wing, if inevitable, should be undertaken only with the willingness of the employees.
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PAO and Accounts cadre issues: Stop any hidden move towards decentralisation of PAOs, restore 1,520 posts arbitrarily abolished in the name of rationalisation and cadre review, grant 40% SCF quota promotions to Senior Accountants in the AOA cadre, grant officiating promotion in the AAO cadre from Senior Accountant, provide one-time diversion of vacant Sorter quota to MTS for promotion to LDC and diversion of SA posts to JA.
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Postman establishment: Stop all unscientific Inter-Divisional Committees (IDCs), fill up all Postman vacancies with LR Postmen and revise Postman delivery norms.
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Withdrawal of unrealistic targets: Withdraw unrealistic and unscientific targets and fix targets based on local conditions, population, workload, connectivity and available infrastructure.
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SB and SBCO officials: Merger or control change of SBCO officials should be undertaken with PAO only.
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Social security for GDS: Grant pension, family pension, gratuity, medical facilities and other social security benefits to GDS employees on par with departmental employees, including adequate pensionary benefits to retired GDS.
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ABPM beat reorganisation: Withdraw the order dated 06.09.2026 relating to mechanisation/reorganisation of ABPM beats, which is reportedly causing additional workload and hardship to GDS employees.
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Withdrawal of victimisation cases: Withdraw victimisation cases, charge sheets and punishments arising out of the 2023 strike against Shri S. S. Mahadevaiah, former General Secretary, AIGDSU, in the interest of industrial harmony and fair play.
A United Front for Protection of Postal Employees' Interests
The revival of PJCA and the submission of the comprehensive Charter of Demands mark an important development in the ongoing efforts of postal employees' organisations to protect cadre identities, promotional avenues, service conditions and the overall interests of employees across the Department of Posts.
The strong opposition to the proposed cadre merger reflects the collective stand of the participating Federations that cadre restructuring should not undermine the distinct identity, career progression and service interests of existing cadres.
The coming days will be crucial, as the PJCA has sought resolution of all outstanding issues within 15 days through meaningful dialogue with the Department of Posts.
The united stand of NFPE, FNPO, AIGDSU and NUGDS sends a clear message that the legitimate demands and service interests of postal employees must be addressed through consultation, transparency and constructive dialogue.