Except in the First Membership verification, almost all major unions contested independently, it was a straight contest between BSLEU Alliance and NFTE Alliance, in all of which BSNLEU won with good margin. Even after FNTO, which was an ally of BSNLEU (United Forum), deserted and joined NFTE alliance, United Forum won with more than 28,000 votes difference. FNTO’s aspiration to be the king-maker fell flat. It seems that after NFTE turned down the request of FNTO to contest in the latter’s name, FNTO is contesting in its own name with the support of certain small unions.

Thus it is a triangular contest. Nobody has got any doubt about the results. BSNLEU Alliance is going to win with more than 60% and good margin. This does not mean that we dont require preparations. Instead, we should make all preparations, so that we  get  still more votes and win with further margin.

The notice fo strike was served on the management more than 6 weeks back. But the management did not find time to discuss on these issues til now. All of a sudden intimation was received on Friday (26th November) that a meeting with JAC is fixed at 1430 hours on the same day. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, JAC and some General Secretaries were on tour and out of Delhi. Still Convener authorised the General Secretaries and representatives available at New Delhi to meet and discuss. Comrades P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, P.Asoka Babu, Dy. GS,  K.R.Yadav, Vice-President, Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA and others attended. CMD explained the management position only. Since there was no satisfactory proposals, the discussion ended without any result.

The JAC has called upon the leaders and workers to accelerate the preparations for the strike. Many PSU organisations have expressed their solidarity and support to the strike. Let us march ahead to a mighty strike which will compel the Government and management to acceede to our genuine demands.

It is not only actual smoking that kills. Even second-hand smoking kills! A study conducted by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare and Bloomberg Philanthrophies reveals that more than 6,00,000 people die yearly due to second-hand smoking, meaning those who are  near the smokers and getting the smoke in their lungs etc. The children and women are also affected in very large numbers. There is no other way but to completely stop smoking. No small small measures will do.

The demand of the employees organisations in the Indian Labour Conference meeting held on 23-24 November 2010 at New Delhi that contract workers should be paid wages equal to the regular workers and also leave, LTC etc. has been rejected by the employers. “We do not want to give facilities such as a five days week or LTC to contract workers “, Secretary, Employers Association, Delhi stated.

The central trade unions are also demanding regularisation of of contract workers.  Thousands of contract workers are engaged to do the work of permanent employees with less wages and without any social security measures. The unions are demanding that all social security measures be implemented.

The Central Trade Unions have already called for a Parliament March on 23rd February 2011 on the 5 point demands which includes the demands of the contract workers also.

Not surprisingly, the Prime Minister has urged for liberalisation of the existing labour laws, to help the big corporates and capitalists.

Inaugurating the 43rd Indian Labour Conference at New Delhi on  23rd November 2010, the Prime Minister focussed on the rigidity of the labour laws and wanted reforms, which means that  the laws are to be reformed to suit the requirements of the employer.

All the Central TUs including INTUC has criticised the contents of the   speech.

As per reports, the Department of Public Enterprises is proposing to lay off non-performing staff to the extent of 10% yearly. The II Pay Revision Committee for executives in PSUs had also recommended that 10% of executives be laid off who are of poor and non-performing categories. Sam Pitroda Committee had recommended that one lakh employees be retrenched through VRS/Transfer in BSNL.

It is clear that the government and the managements are in a conspiracy to reduce the number of employees to suit to the wishes of the employers. The employers want to increase the working hours as also to reduce the number of regular workers and engage contract workers instead whom they can exploit more. The Prime Minister had stated yesterday in the Indian Labour Conference that Labour Laws should be liberalised meaning that the existing rights of the workers is to be reduced.

The Central Trade Unions and all Federations/Associations have to continue their struggles against these attacks on the working class