Indefinite Strike from  20-04-2010 and Agreement

JAC Revives Agitational Programmes.

The Joint Action Committee which met on 9^th June 2015 reviewed the latest developments including the assurances given by the Communications Minister, Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL on the strike agreement on 20-04-2010. The meeting expressed its utter disappointment at the lethargic manner in which the issues were being dealt with. Instead of 93.3 million GSM tender, only 5.5 million tender was floated. BSNL was compelled to pay spectrum charges of Rs. 10,186 crore and Rs. 8,313 crore  will have to be paid for BWA spectrum charges. This will take away almost all the cash balance of BSNL. 78.2% IDA was not paid to staff, though that was one of the agreements. Revision of Pension for BSNL pensioners from 01-01-2007 also was not settled.  Under these circumstances, the JAC decided to revive the agitational programmes. Accordingly the following action programmes were decided:

1. Lunch Hour demonstrations on 14-06-2010
2. Dharna at C.O./Circle/SSA levels on 16-06-2010

These programmes were effectively organized with massive participation.

The JAC leaders met the Secretary, DOT, Shri P.J.Thomas on 18^th June 2010 and discussed, but no issue was solved. The JAC met the full BSNL Management Committee on 21-06-2010 and had detailed discussion, but no results.

Under these circumstances, the Joint Action Committee met again on 21^st June 2010 and decided to ensure that maximum efforts should made to save the BSNL. The following programmes of action were decided:

1. Post Card campaign: All the employees should send Post Card to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister with the following demands written on it:

Respected Sir,

Kindly ensure financial viability of BSNL by reimbursing 3G and BWA Spectrum charges of Rs. 18,500 crores paid by BSNL, to enable it to implement the socio-economic commitment of the Central government.

Yours Faithfully,

Name, Designation, Signature.

These cards should be sent by all the employees by 5^th July 2010, so that more than 3 lakh Post cards will reach the Prime Minister.

2. A National Convention to be held at New Delhi on 21^st July 2010 with massive participation of employees. The JAC decided to hold similar conventions in major cities also.
3. Meetings with Communications Minister, Finance Minister and Prime Minister be sought for, for pressing our demands.
4. The JAC should be formed at Circle, SSA and Branch levels immediately to organize the programmes effectively and successfully.

A detailed circular was issued by the JAC which was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA), S.P.Sharma(BSNLWRU), (FNTO), D.P.Patwa(AIBCTES), (NFTE), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), Rana Pratap (BEA BSNL), G.L.Jogi (SNEA(I), R.S.Yadav(ATM), N.D.Ram(SEWA BSNL) and Ram Kishun Ram(BTU BSNL).

Meeting with Communications minister A.Raja on 24-06-2010 at Coimbatore

With a view to stop BSNL’s payment of Rs. 8,313 crore towards BWA Spectrum charges, the JAC leaders held an emergent meeting with Communications Minister Shri A.Raja, who was attending the World Tamil conference at Coimbatore on 25-06-2010. Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi(SNEA(I), and Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA) attended. The following issues were discussed:

1. Procurement of 10 million mobile equipment
2. Reimbursement of the Rs. 18,500 crores to BSNL, which was the charges paid by it to the government for the allotment of 3G and BWA spectrum.

The meeting was cordial and the minister agreed to favourably consider the same.

National Convention of BSNL Workers on   19-07-2010

As per the decision of the  JAC, a National Convention of BSNL Workers was held on 19^th July 2010 at Mavlankar Hall New Delhi to give wide publicity to the problems of BSNL and educate the workers and prepare them for agitational programmes. The Convention was presided by Com.N.T.Sajwani, Chairman of the JAC. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener welcomed and also presented the draft declaration of the Convention. Com. Basudeb Acharia, Member of Parliament and senior leader of the working class inaugurated the Convention. Prominent Central trade union leaders Com.M.K.Pandhe, Vice-President CITU, Shri G.Sanjeeva Reddy, President, INTUC,  Com.G.L.Dhar, Secretary, AITUC, Com.Prabir Purkayasta, telecom expert and other leaders addressed the Convention and supported the JAC movement.

The Convention was also addressed by Coms. P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi(SNEA), C.Singh(NFTE), K.Vallinayagam(FNTO), Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA), Suresh Kumar(BSNLMS), V.Subburaman  (TEPU), Hari Singh (BTU), N.D.Ram(SEWA BSNL), D.P.Patwa(AIBCTES), Shrivastava(WRU) and O.P.Gupta (Former SG NFTE). A large number of employees were mobilized from the nearby circles like Rajasthan, UP(West), Punjab, Haryana, H.P. and Uttarakhand.

After the declaration was adopted the Convention declared to launch a powerful nationwide strike from 19^th to 21^st October 2010. The declaration called upon the workers to make the strike a big success. The Convention also declared that if the government/BSNL Management fails to settle the issues, the 3 days strike will be converted in to an indefinite strike.

As per the decision of the National Convention, circle level conventions were held  with massive participation and addresses by the leaders of the Joint Action Council. (To be continued)