BSNLEU and All India BSNL-DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA) have been continuously pressurising the  DOT and BSNL management to ensure that all the payments etc.should be settled at the time of retirement itself. This  has compelled the management to issue clear instructions to the effect. Vide No.500-57/2010/CA II/BSNL dated 14-12-2010, BSNL has asked the subordinate offices that ‘ the matter related to settlement of retirements cases should be taken on top priority and necessary instructions shall be issued to all concerned for timely submission of pension papers to CCAs, prompt compliance of the quiries raised by CCAs, submission of opening balances of Loans and advances as on 01-10-2000 in respect of DOT employees absorbed in BSNL and timely submission of GPF final payment cases duly completed in all respects within the prescribed time frame.’

Issuing of order is not sufficient. The local/SSA units of the union should continuously monitor and pressurise the management to ensure that the orders are fully got implemented.

The two recognised Federations during DOT period, NFTE and FNTO are in opposite camps now. In the last verification they were together and contested to defeat BSNLEU. But thye lost by 28,000 votes. Now they are contesting separately and each boast of winning the elections!

The workers have learnt from their own experiences. That is why they have uninterruptedly elected BSNLEU in the last three verifications. After the good wage revision despite adverse conditions and the Promotion Policy which have ensured promotion for all employees after every 8 years instead of 16 and 24 years, they are going to vote for BSNLEU in large numbers. But let us not be complacent. Meet each and every worker and seek his vote. Victory is ours!

The year 2011 is an year full of  challenges – Challenge to the financial viability of BSNL, challenge of facing the Membership Verification, challenges of price rise, corruption, anti-worker policies of the Government and so on.  Are you worried? Worrying will not help. The challenges have to be faced squarely and make it an opportunity to struggle and win!

A change is already coming in the BSNL. The workers have become aware of the financial crisis of BSNL mainly created by the Government to help the MNCs and big business. The agitation by the workers and the continued pressure from the Joint Action Committee has compelled the Management also to do some thing at least. The number of new connections provided in the last three months is an improvement for the better. We have to keep it up. Workers have to take initiative for a better service to the subscribers.

The Membership Verification is also to be taken as a challenge. During the last 6 years during which BSNLEU was the recognised union, United Forum /BSNLEU have gained more achievements for the workers than NFTE/FNTO could achieve during the 30 -40 years of their continued recognition in DOT and BSNL. The Wage Revision and the Promotion Policy have given the workers financial benefit  which they never even dreamed of. More than 80% of the workers have now got promotion after the NEPP has been issued. The malicious propaganda of the rival unions are not going to influence the workers at all.  The challenge for BSNL is not of winning; that is assured. But BSNLEU wants to win with more than 60% votes. Contact each and evey worker and ensure that the target of 60% is reached. We shall win and win with great margin.

The fight against the anti-worker, neo-liberal polices of the government is not an easy one. That is why the entire trade unions in the country, including INTUC, have joined together. The 7th September strike was a milestone in this fight. The Central Trade Unions have called for a Parliament March on 23rd February 2011. Crores of workers are going to particiate including us. We have to defeat the anti-people policy. That is a sustained and united struggle.

As state earlier, the New Year 2011 is full of challenges. It should be our duty to make it an opportununity to fight and win. Let us March Ahead!