2006

Negotiations with Secretary DOT on 4^th January 2006.

At the last moment, when the Joint Forum was meeting at about 07.30 PM on 4^th January 2005 , just four hours before the start of the strike in the night of 4/5^th January 2006, the Secretary DOT called the unions for a meeting. The Joint Forum, which was in session authorized Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, General Secretary, BSNLEU & Convener, JF, to conduct the negotiation, since it was felt that the last minute discussions were only meant to confuse and delay matters. The Communications Minister was abroad and the State Minister out of Delhi. After protracted discussion, the Secretary DOT gave written assurances as below:

Yashwant Bhave, Additional Secretary, Department of Telecommunications dated 04-01-2006

Dear Shri Sinha,

Mr. V.A.N.Namboodiri, General Secretary of the BSNL Employees Union met Secretary (Telecom) today on behalf of the Joint Forum and expressed the following concern to him in connection with the notice of the strike given by the union.

1. Disinvestment in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.
2. Unbundling of the local loop.
3. Grant of Navaratna status to BSNL
4. Views of the Union in connection with the proposed Telecom Policy

The Secretary has assured Mr. Namboodiri as under:

1. That there is no proposal regarding disinvestment in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.
2. That unbundling of the local loop is not under consideration
3. That all efforts will be made towards obtaining the Navaratna Status toBSNL.
4. That the views of the Union will be duly considered as and when the draft Telecom Policy is formulated.

Yours

(sd)

Yashwant Bhave

To

Shri A.K.Sinha,

CMD BSNL,

Statesman House,

Connaught Circus,

New Delhi- 110001

Copy to

Shri V.A.N.Namboodiri, General Secretary, BSNL Employees Union

Strike Deferred on assurance from Secretary, DOT

The written assurances given by the Secretary, DOT were discussed by the Joint Forum which was in session and which unanimously decided to defer strike on the basis of the assurances.

Unity Strengthened, Gun Powder Kept Dry

The assurances given were very important, since for the first time, it was made clear that there is no proposal for disinvestment. The Navaratna status was assured. It was also assured that there is no proposal to unbundle the last mile copper cables of BSNL. The unions will be consulted on National Telecom Policy -2005. These written assurances were a big victory for the BSNL workers. The workers all over the country were jubilant that the Joint Forum has been able to get such vital assurances. The Joint Forum congratulated the workers whose determination and preparation for the strike compelled the government to come to the negotiating table and give assurances.

Protest Demonstration on 1^st March 2006 against reduction in ADC and changing of connectivity charges to Revenue Sharing Scheme for Private Telecom Operators.

The TRAI, the telecom regulator, once again showed its partiality to the private telecom operators by drastically reducing the Access Deficit Charges (ADC) to be paid by them to BSNL for providing loss making connections in rural areas, which are financially unviable, but socially essential to fulfill the commitment of the government for universal service.

Instead of calculating the ADC on the basis of the period of talk (per minute) for STD and local calls as earlier, the procedure for payment of ADC is calculated as only 1.55% of the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) which will reduce the ADC from Rs. 5300 crore to about Rs. 2,000 crore, adversely affecting the development plans of the BSNL. The ADC for the ILD (International calls) continued, but it was reduced for incoming calls from Rs. 3.20 to Rs. 1.60 and for outgoing calls from Rs. 2.50 to Rs. 0.80 per minute. These were all done to favour the private telecom companies.

Lunch Hour Demonstrations on 01-03-2006

The Joint Forum strongly opposed the same and issued a press statement. The meeting of JF also decided to agitate against the order. Lunch our demonstrations were organized on 01-03-2006 throughout the country and in front of corporate office with massive participation.