Reports are being received from many centres about the large number of workers joining BSNLEU from other unions, specially from NFTE. This is not limited to one or two circles. It is a general trend after the last membership verification.
The excellent work done by BSNLEU in the wage settlement and Promotion Policy (NEPP) has been appreciated by the workers. During the last 7 years since BSNLEU has got recognition, hundreds of important issues have been favourably settled. This is the fourth time that it has been elected by the workers through secret ballot as the majority union.
I welcome all these new members and assure that BSNLEU will always stand to protect, promote and safeguard the interest of the BSNL workers.

As per the decisions of the meeting of the JAC held on 26th July had decided to approach NFTE and BSNLWA as also FNTO to come back to the JAC to save BSNL and its workers from the present crisis. Accordingly JAC has written to Comrade C.Singh, General Secretary, NFTE BSNL and Convener, BSNLWA. A copy of the same is given below. I hope that NFTE will reciprocate and rejoin JAC for common cause.

JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE
JAC/GL 27-07-2011
To
Com. C. Singh,
General Secretary, NFTE BSNL
Sub: Joint Action Committee – regarding participation
Dear Comrade,
Kindly recall my telephonic conversations and letters on the above subject.
It is unfortunate that since February 2011, NFTE along with the other unions in the BSNL WA are not participating in the meetings of the JAC. According to the letter dated 19-02-2011 received by the JAC from you as GS of NFTE BSNL as also Convener of BSNLWA, you have intimated your decision not to participate in the JAC meeting. The following reasons have been mentioned by you for taking such a decision:
1. During the period of the V membership verification it was posted In the BSNLEU website that NFTE BSNL has split in two, to take advantage in the verification, which has hurt the feelings of employees belonging to NFTE BSNL.
2. A newly registered union was admitted in the JAC during the struggle period although it was decided earlier that new unions will be admitted only a after a detailed discussion in the JAC meeting.
3. BSNLEU is taking mileage although of the JAC although all the unions are part of the JAC
With regard to the point (2) I am to state that no new union has been admitted to the JAC for the last one year or so. Even in the last meeting held on 26th July 2011, the item was deferred without taking any decision.
With regard to point (1), the issue is about the propaganda and campaign being made by the unions participating in the Membership Verification. At the time of the membership verifications, all the participating unions have been propagating, including publishing in their websites, points which are suited to the requirement of the concerned unions. NFTE was also doing the same. Despite this propaganda during the period of earlier membership verifications, all the unions were continuing in the JAC, which is an umbrella organisation.
With regard to point (3), I am to state that all the constituent unions are equally justified in focussing the JAC and its decisions including implementation. No unions have any special right or privilege. The President and Convener are elected unanimously. It is to be mentioned that the GS NFTE BSNL is still the elected President of the JAC. All the decisions hitherto have been taken unanimously after thorough discussion.
As far as BSNLEU is concerned you may be aware that even though it is the recognised union empowered to negotiate with the management on wage revision etc., it had invited NFTE BSNL also to be part of the negotiation process. NFTE took the stand that unless it is given the right to sign the agreement, it will not participate in the negotiation. Management did not agree to this as according to it, only the representative/recognised union can sign the same.
BSNL is in crisis now, especially due to the anti-PSU policy of the government and the lack of effective management. It has posted a loss of Rs.1820 crore in 2009-2010 and it may post some more loss in 2010-2011. The market share has gone down and it is only number four in the total connections and number five in mobiles. The government is trying to impose VRS/CRS which we have been able to stop through joint struggles under the banner of the Joint Forum /JAC. It is the same case with disinvestment. You are fully aware that while most of the PSUs have been disinvested, it could not be implemented in BSNL due to the sustained agitations and struggles by BSNL workers under the leadership of the Joint Forum/JAC, of which you were also a party. The various recommendations of the Sam Pitroda Committee and the BRPSE are against the interests of BSNL and its workers and the government is trying to get them implemented. Only a united movement and joint actions can stop this attack.
The JAC has taken decision to observe the financial year 2011-12 as “Customer Delight Year 2011-12” to ensure a better service to the people and to strengthen BSNL and improve its financial viability. The management is also moving in similar direction although it has its own priorities and pressure to implement the recommendations of the Pitroda Committee and BRPSE. It is the need of the hour that all the workers and their unions/associations in BSNL jointly plan and implement programmes which will save BSNL and its workers and their families.
The meeting of the Joint Action Committee held on 26th July 2011 has decided to approach you once again for rejoining the JAC. Therefore, I would request you and through you the other unions in the BSNLWA, to consider all the above aspects and participate in the deliberations of the JAC thus making the united movement of the BSNL workers a mighty force to enable it to fulfil its historic responsibility of defending and strengthening the BSNL and its workers.
Yours Fraternally

VA.N.Namboodiri
Convener, JAC

The Minimum Wages in Delhi has been revised as follows from April 2011:

Unskilled workers : Rs. 247.00 daily Rs. 6,422.00 monthly
Semiskilled workers : Rs. 273.00 Rs. 7,098.00
Skilled workers : Rs. 301.00 Rs. 7,410.00
Highly skilled : Rs. 327.00 Rs. 8,060.00

This is as per the 2001 Consumer Price Index (CPI).

There is no justification for Yedyurappa, to continue as the Chief Minister of Karnataka after all the allegations of scam and also the report of the Lokayukta that he has misused his official position to grab and wealth for his family. It is the responsibility of the BJP, to which party he belongs, to ensure that he quits the CM post.

Yesterday’s( 26-07-2011) heavy rain once again showed that Delhi is never prepared for the rains. Two hours rain, and the entire city was water-logged. All the roads were jammed with heavy traffic. The vehicles were moving inch by inch.
The JAC meeting was fixed at 1600 hours. I, being the Convener, somehow started early and was there well before 1600 hours. Since nobody turned up even after 15 minutes, I started phoning one after another. Almost everybody was on the road unable to move forward. The roads were completely jammed due to the rain. We could start the meeting only at about 1700 hours, when almost all the comrades reached. Delhi is one of the richest corporations. It is the capital of the country where the President, Prime Minister, other ministers and top government officers are staying. But nobody takes care of the convenience to the people. Hundreds of crores of rupees are spent for roads, sewage etc. But the situation is worst. There is no way for the water to go. Delhi papers are focussing these issues continuously. But the government and the Corporation authorities are sleeping.
The citizens of the capital city has to rise and make the government and the MCD to move; there is no other alternative.

The JAC meeting held today, 26th July 2011, after reviewing the progress made during the last three months of observing Customer Delight Months, and appreciating the workers for the progress made, however little it may be, called upon the entire workers to make further efforts to improve the services. It also called upon the management to ensure that the equipments and other materials are made available at the earliest.
The details of the meeting will be posted in the BSNLEU website: http://www.bsnleuchq.com

Greetings on Cuban National Day!
Today, 26th July, is the Cuban National Day. The Cuban Revolution in 1959 saw the emergence of another socialist state after USSR and China. Though it is a small island country in Latin America, the revolution was important in more than one count. It was the first socialist country in the American continent under the domain of the USA, the leader of the capitalist system. The revolution under the leadership of Comrades Fidel Castro and Che Guivera was a history on its own.
USA has never been able to adjust to the revolution in Cuba and has been making all kinds of attacks against it. The Cuban blockade is continuing for decades intended to paralyse its economy, which is mainly dependent upon from exports of coffee, cigar, sugar etc. But Cuba has outlived the blockade and has been able to improve its people’s standard of living in all respects.
On this National Day, let us wish all the best for the Cuban people and a bright future!

” A better world is possible. This is said by some one who has lived dreaming and more than once had the rare privilege of seeing dreams become realities that were not even dreamt of.” – Fidel Castro

” ..how great is our people, how invincible is a just idea, how important it is to believe in humankind, how beautiful to fight for great ideals..” – Fidel Castro

Former Telecom Minister A.Raja, who is in Tihar Jail in connection with the 2G Scam has submitted in the CBI Court again today, 26th July, that the Prime Minister and former Finanace Minister Chidambaram was fully aware of the decisions taken in the 2G auction.
The Congress is in big trouble with the Prime minister and one of the senior minister in the cabinet, both Congress, being pointed out by the former Communications Minister. Whatever explanations are given by the Kapil Sibal or Chidambaram, the common people has understood that it is not only Raja, but there are others who are still in the government involved in the decision making which resulted in the scam.
The people of this country has got a right to know the full facts. All those who are involved should be taken to task.

The joint Action Committee of BSNL Associations/Unions of Executives and Non-Executives (JAC) is meeting today, 26th July to discuss about the aggressive implementation of the “Customer Delight Year 2011-12”.
The experience of the last three months will be reviewed and appropriate decisions taken to implement the programme more successfully.