In the meeting of the Joint Action Committee with the CMD BSNL held on 31st March 2011 to discuss about the suggestions of the Unions to improve the services, the management requested to withdraw the lunch hour demonstration on 5th April in view of the present critical situation of BSNL and not to give a wrong signal to the customers.

The JAC leaders pointed out that they are not interested in organising agitation for agitational purpose. The 5th April demonstration has been decided to oppose the proposals of the BRPSE to implement VRS in BSNL as also reduction in the retirement age from 60 to 58 years and reduction of staff. This is a clear violation of the assurance given by the management and the government several times that such issues will not be decided without consulting the unions. Further these proposals are anti-worker and can not be accepted by the unions.

This seemed to convince the management. The CMD graciously agreed that when there is a justified cause, the workers have right to take their own decision.

Now it is the workers’ turn. The lunch hour demonstration should be massive and should be in all places which will give clear indication to the government and management not to proceed with the ani-worker proposals.