Protest against abolition of ADC – Demonstration on 03-04-2008

The TRAI has been reducing the ADC, which is to be collected from the private telecom companies and  to be given to BSNL for loss making village connections as per the assurance of the government at the time of corporatization, year after year and the same was completely stopped from 01-04-2008 on the pressure from the private operators. This will seriously and adversely affect the financial viability of BSNL. Hence the Joint Forum strongly protested the TRAI decision and organized protest demonstration on 3^rd April 2008 all over India, demanding restoration of ADC.

Merger of 50% with Pay – IDA Lunch Hour demonstrations on 13-05-2008

Even after  the IDA crossed 50%, the same was not merged with pay as required. As per the call of the Joint Forum, Lunch Hour demonstrations were held on 13-05-2008 in all SSAs/Circles/Corporate Office demanding immediate merger of IDA.

Meeting with Secretary DOT on 22-05-2008

The Joint Forum leaders met Secretary DoT, Shri Sidharth Behura on 22-05-2008 and discussed the following issues:

1. ITS Absorption: The delay in absorption was mentioned by the Joint Forum leaders. Secretary, DOT replied that the Cabinet Note has been returned with some queries. The matter will be seriously pursued.
2. BSNL’s Pension Contribution (60%-40% issue): DoT agreed with the Joint Forum that such conditions are not necessary. He stated that a Cabinet Note on the same is approved by the Minister and will be submitted to the cabinet.
3. Restoration of ADC: Secretary DOT stated that DOT is taking action for changing the guide lines of the USO Fund to give financial assistance to BSNL to the tune of Rs. 2,000 crore per annum, as has been recommended by TRAI, in lieu of ADC.
4. Navaratna Status to BSNL: The JF leaders expressed their concerns in the delay in awarding Navaratna status to BSNL. Secretary DOT stated that DPE has already recommended and the issue is waiting for the final decision of the apex body.
5. Allotment of 3G Spectrum to BSNL: Joint Forum demanded that BSNL should be allotted 3G Spectrum on priority basis as has already been issued by the Communications Minister. Secretary DOT stated that as per the assurance, BSNL will be allotted with one slot in the 3G spectrum.
6. Delay in 50% IDA Merger: The JF leaders drew the attention of the secretary DOT to the undue delay in issuing the orders on the IDA merger by BSNL even after the approval by DOT. Secretary DOT assured that he will speak to CMD BSNL.

Meeting with CMD BSNL on 27-05-2008 on future of BSNL

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, JF along with representatives of 13 unions / associations in BSNL met CMD BSNL, Shri Kuldeep Goyal on 27-05-2008.

At the outset, the Convener expressed JF’s grave concern over  the undue delay in the supply of GSM equipments, due to which BSNL is unable to provide new connections and also the quality of services of the BSNL is sharply coming down. Market Share of BSNL has sharply declined from 47.69% as on 31-03-2005 to 24.74 as on 31-03-2008. Immediate purchase of GSM equipment is required.

3 Days Dharna from 28-05-1008 demanding 50% Merger of IDA  from 01-01-2007

The Central government issued orders for merger of 50% DA to its employees from 01-04-2004. The merger of CPSUs were decided by the government w.e.f. 01-01-2007. Despite this decision, the BSNL management did not issue the orders. A lunch hour demonstration was held on 13-05-2008 as per the call of the Joint Forum demanding immediate orders. The management wanted the unions to agree for 10% disinvestment, VRS, delay in wage negotiation, Promotion Policy etc. which were completely unjust and unfair. The meeting of the Joint Forum with the CMD BSNL on 27-05-2008 could not settle the issue. Hence the JF decided to organize Dharna on 28-05-2008 at all SSAs/Circle/C.O.

The Dharna was well participated and gave a strong message to the management that the workers will not surrender their rights or cow down before threats.

In Delhi in front of the Corporate Office, more than 500 comrades participated, which was inaugurated on 28-05-2008, by Com. Basudeb Acharya, Member of Parliament and senior CPI(M) leader. It was addressed by all the leaders of the union including Convener, JF, Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri.

Meeting with Minister on 29-05-2008

The Communications Minister Shri A.Raja called the Joint Forum for discussion, in which he directed the BSNL Management to issue orders on the IDA merger. BSNL issued the orders on the same day. Hence the dharna was deferred. The joint struggle of the workers has won on the spot.

Demonstrations against VRS and disinvestment proposal of BSNL, as also for grant of Navaratna status for 50% Merger of DA, 5 promotions etc. on 2^nd June 2008.

Meeting was held with Secretary, DOT on 22-05-2008, in which the issue of restoration of ADC, Absorption of ITS in BSNL, Navaratna status for BSNL, allotment of 3G Spectrum to BSNL, fresh tender of 45.5 million and 93 million tender for mobile equipment were raised. Though some assurances were issued, the government was going on with its agenda.

As such, the joint Forum in its meeting on 31-05-2008 decided to organize demonstrations on 02-06-2008 and wearing of black badges while in the office.

Demonstration and Black Badge wearing on 02-06-2008

The programme was organized successfully. The call had its impact.

Demonstration against merger ITI with BSNL on 29-07-2008.

In between, the government was proposing merger of ITI with BSNL. As per decision of Joint Forum, massive demonstrations were organised at SSA/Circle/C.O. on 29-07-2008 against the merger since, ITI was loss making, it was a manufacturing PSU while BSNL is a service provider etc. (12,500 employees in ITI, where even the payment of salary was in difficulty). Convener JF met the ITI leaders and convinced the ITI unions our stand on opposing the merger. JF sent a detailed letter on our opposition to the merger to the Communications Minister on 16-07-2008.

The Joint Forum strongly opposed the purchase hundreds of vehicles for ITS officers, when the company was facing financial crunch. It exposed the unnecessary expenditure from the meager finance of BSNL.

Since the ITS absorption was being delayed, the joint Forum demanded repatriation of BSNL executives and non-executives back to DOT through a letter to the Secretary DOT on 17-09-2008. The JF also demanded that immediate action should be taken to finalise the 95 million mobile tender.(To be continued)

2008

All India Protest Day observed on 21^st January 2008

BSNL workers as per the call of the Joint Forum observed the All India Protest Day by wearing black badges and demonstrating in front of BSNL offices and exchanges. Hundreds of workers participated in these demonstrations warning the management of the ensuing strike if the demands raised by the Joint Forum are not settled.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Joint Forum, addressed letters 0n 14-01-2008 to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, Shri Santosh Mohan Deb,  Minister of State, Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and Shri A.Raja Communications Minister on the urgency of settling the issues and seeking for a meeting.

Meeting with CMD on 23-01-2008

On the basis of the letter dated 23-01-2008 from the Forum, a meeting was held with Shri Kuldip Goyal, CMD BSNL and discussed the following issues:

Immediate purchase of equipments, restoration of ADC to BSNL which was discontinued from 2008-2009, early payment of USOF, Modernisation and increasing productivity of Telecom Factories, regular functioning of the Works Committee at SSAs, providing broadband connections without delay, increasing of marketing, eliminating wastage and corruption etc.

Joint Forum calls for Indefinite Strike from 26-02-2008 against Disinvestment

As per the decision of the Joint Forum the strike notice was served on 24^th January 2008.The demands of the strike included (1) Drop IPO/Disinvestment proposal in BSNL (2) Wihdraw proposal for VRS in BSNL (3) Withdraw DOT’s arbitrary order dated 15-06-2006 on BSNL’s pension Contribution (4) Ensure uninterrupted supply of 2G and 3G equipments, additional 2G spectrum as well as 3G spectrum as agreed earlier (5) Ensure BSNL’s financial viability by continuing ADC, Reimbursement of Licence Fee and USO Fund (6) Grant  Navaratna status to BSNL and (8) Immediate absorption of ITS. The strike notice  issued on 24-01-2008 was signed by V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), M.B.Vichare(NFTE BSNL), K.Vallinayagam(FNTO), G.L.Jogi (SNEA(I), K.Sathyanarayan (AIBSNLEA), V.Subburaman(TEPU), V.Narayana (BSNLMS), S.P.Sharma(BSNLWRU), V.R.Venugopal(BTEU), A.D.Patil(AIBCTES), R.S.Yadav(ATM), Hari Singh (BTU) and Subhash Gaur(BSNLOA). Wide publicity was given to the strike through issue of pamphlets, press statements and wall posters etc.

Discussion with Secretary, DOT on the Strike issues

On the basis of the strike notice issued by the Joint Forum, a meeting was called by Secretary, DOT Shri Sidharth Behura on 19-02-2008, in which CMD BSNL Shri Kuldeep Goyal was also present. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, JF and other leaders explained the demands of the strike. The outcome of the deliberation in brief was the following:

1. Disinvestment of BSNL: There is no immediate proposal for IPO. Minister has also issued a press release on this.
2. VRS proposal: If the BSNL employees do not want VRS, no such scheme will be introduced.
3. Withdrawal of DOT’s Arbitrary orders on Pension (60% – 40%): The matter will be taken up with Cabinet.
4. Uninterrupted supply of 2G, 3G spectrum: This will be given preference. BSNL will be allotted 3G spectrum.
5. Ensure BSNL’s Financial viability: DOT Secretary stated that Cabinet Note is under circulation and assured discussion with Minister and appropriate action will be taken for the same.
6. Navaratna Status to BSNL: DPE shall forward the case for grant of Navaratna status to BSNL for consideration by apex body.
7. Immediate absorption of group A Officers: Matter is under active consideration of DOT. Draft Cabinet Note is under preparation and the final note will be prepared within 15-20 days.

To a question in the Parliament, the Minister of State for Communications & IT Shri Shakeel Ahmed stated on 28-02-2008 that the government is not considering disinvestment of BSNL.