The one day strike today, 15th December 2011, by BSNL workers was a magnificent success. Throughout  the country, more than 95% workers participated in this crucial strike. In many circles, all offices including that of CGM was closed without any body attending office. Many CGMs could not attend office. Workers in hundreds demonstrated in front of offices. Thousands of workers held demonstrations in major cities like Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore etc. In Corporate office, Delhi for the first time fthousands of agitated workers demonstrated and almost blocked the entire office. JAC has congratulated the workers for the excellent strike giving a stern warning to the management that if the issues are not settled, there will further struggles including indefinite strike. Reports poured from all circles about maximum participation in the strike. FNTO officially kept away from the strike, but in many places their members joined the strike, well knowing the strike is for genuine demands and that united struggle is of utmost importance.

The Casual and Contract workers all over India as per the call of the BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation fully participated in the strike, despite the fact that their issues were not in the strike notice. They very well understood that unless BSNL exists, their work also will not be there.

The BSNL DOT pensioners as per the call of the All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association participated in the demonstrations and gave solidarity and support  to the strike

We thank both the BSNLCCWF and AIBDPA for their support and solidarity to the strike.

In the corporate office the JAC leaders sat down in front of the CMD’s room expressing the anger of the workers in not settling the issues. CMD came out and invited to discuss the issues. It is to be noted that not even a meeting was called by the CMD earlier on the strike demands. Only Director(HR) met the JAC and discussed without any result. The report from all over India and the huge demonstrations in front of the corporate Office made the CMD to meet the leaders. There was no settlement in the meeting, but it was clear that the management was on the defensive.

The Regional Labour Commissioner called the JAC leaders in the afternoon. JAC leaders told the RLC that since the issue is of an all India nature the meeting is more appropriate in the presence of the Chief Labour Commissioner. Within minutes the Chief Labour Commissioner came on his own. He chided the management representatives for not intimating them about the strike in advance. JAC leaders wanted the DOT officers also in the meeting. Accordingly next meeting has been fixed by the CLC in his office at 1100 hours on 22nd December, when we intimated the CLC that the next meeting of the JAC on 21st December may take further programmes of action including indefinite strike.

In the Parliament questions were given notice of by Comrade Shyamal Chakroborty, Basudebacharya and other leaders, but could not be taken due to the house being adjourned.  However, the Minister was fully aware and it is understood that he had contacted DOT and CLC and enquired why it is not settled. This had  an important impact.

Chennai CGM got 15 comrades arrested in connection with the strike. JAC strongly reacted on the matter with CMD, who took immediate action and the workers were got released.

It is noteworthy that the Central trade Unions like CITU, AITUC as also All India Federations like Confederation of Central Govt. Employees, NFPE, AIIEA, BEFI, AIDEF , AISGEF and others gave solidarity and support. JAC expresses its thanks to all of them.

Dear Comrades, this strike is historic in that it consolidated all section of workers including Executives and Non-Executives and brought the issues on the financial viability of BSNL, the immediate repatriation of ITS officers, Bonus, 78.2% IDA fixation, opposition to VRS, restoration of LTS, encashment of leave, medical allowance etc.

The struggle is not over. It has started with vigour. The meeting of the JAC on 21st December will review the situation and plan the next step to ensure that the demands of the workers are achieved at the earliest.

Once again, congratulation to all workers and comrades! Unity for struggle and Struggle for Unity and Unity and Struggle  for the advancement of the workers is our motto! We shall March ahead, We shall win!

Inquilab Zindabad!