There is no doubt that BSNL Employees Union will continue to be the first in the VI Membership verification of the non-executive unions in BSNL. This fact is conceded by all the unions, though reluctantly and the past results concur with the same.
Why BSNLEU / United Forum has won in all the last 4 verifications? The answer lies in the past excellent performance of the UF/BSNLEU during the last many years.
1. The first and foremost is its uncompromising fight against the anti-PSU, anti-worker policy of the government. The unions which later united and formed the BSNL Employees Union in 2001, have been in continuous struggle against the corporatisation process initiated by the government. While the recognised Federations in DOT viz.NFTE and FNTO openly declared that they will not fight against the policies of the government, the National Action Council formed by the former E.III(N), T.III, Administrative Unions etc continued a serious battle against the proposal for corporatisation touring the entire country and propagating. Two strikesw were also successfully organised by the NAC. Unfortunately the recognised Federations agreed for the corporatisation, though they went on strike against the same. This compromise with the management not only resulted in corporatisation, but the same could be implented by the government even six months earlier than it was proposed. Just as they have agreed for ban on recruitment and reduction of staff earlier, they agreed for corporatisation also putting the entire future of the employees at stake.
After the formation of BSNL, and later of BSNLEU, the latter continued its efforts to ensure for the viability of the BSNL and for better service. While neither the recognised Federations in DOT did not take any initiative to bring all the unions together nor NFTE, the recognised union after the first membership verification in BSNL, also did not take anyinitiative. It was only after the recognition of BSNLEU and at the initiative of the latter that the Joint Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations was formed and efforts made by all the unions/associations to save BSNL.The slogan of unity and struggle was implemented at the initiative of BSNLEU.
Despite decision of the government/Minister three times for disinvestment of BSNL not evn a single share could be disinvested so far. All the unions categorically rejected the offer of shares for the employees which was a clever ploy by the government. While almost all the PSUs have been disinvested, less or more, even after 12 years, BSNL still continues to be afully government owned company.
The programme of “Customer Delight Month/Year” was initiated by the Joint Forum /Joint Action Committee with the participation of all the unions. This could be done at the initiative of BSNLEU. Though the service is still not up to the mark, efforts are on throughout the country by the workers to better the same.
Without going in to further details, it can truly be stated that BSNLEU was in the forefront to defend and save BSNL and its workers. All the employees are fully aware of the same. That is why the BSNL employees, irrespective of the affiliation, looks to the BSNLEU and Joint Forum/Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations to continue the struggle to strengthen and save BSNL and its workers.Even the workers in other PSUs and Central trade Unions are fully appreciate the role of the BSNLEU in this respect.( to be continued).