The meeting of the Forum held on 24th January 2013 discussed about the long pending issues like 78.2% IDA fixation,ITS repatriation, 30% fitment/ 5 increments for post-2007 recruited employees, procure of equipment, formation of BBNL and its adverse impact etc.
The following programmes were decided and implemented with massive participation.
- Savingram to Secretary DOT on 28-30 January 2013.
- Lunch hour demonstration on 11th February 2013.
- Dharna on 15th February 2013 at SSA level.
Child Care Leave order issued. Consequent to continued pressure from the Forum, the orders on Child care Leave was issued on 08-03-2013. It was a great relief to the women employees.
Memorandum to the GoM on revival of BSNL
In the meantime, the government of India appointed a Group of Ministers with Shri P.Chidambaram, Finance Minister, as Chairman to suggest means and ways to revive BSNL and MTNL. This was similar to the appointment of Sam Pitroda Committee in 2010, which only recommended measures which will weaken BSNL and MTNL like VRS for one lakh employees, disinvestment of 30% of shares etc.
Despite this background the Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations gave a detailed memorandum to the Chairman of GoM with many important suggestions. A detailed introduction on the growth and development of telecommunications was also given as introductory remarks. Copy was sent to Prime Minister and concerned ministers. Though Forum requested for a hearing, no such meeting took place. This showed the casual attitude of the GoM to the most important issues suggested by the unions.
Notice for Indefinite Strike from 12th June 2013.
Since the issues taken up with the BSNL Management were not being settled, the Forum decided for agitational programmes including strike from 12th June 2013. In preparation for the strike, Lunch Hour demonstrations were held on 11-06-2013. Press Conference was also held. Met the Secretary BRPSE, since the 78.2% issue was referred to BRPSE unnecessarily.
Orders on 78.2% IDA fixation and call off of Indefinite Strike from 12-06-2013.
Seeing the full preparations for the Indefinite Strike, BSNL Management and DOT moved fast. They were delaying the issue of orders on 78.2% IDA fixation on which agreement was made one year back on the eve of the strike from 13th June 2012. The orders on 78.2% IDA fixation was approved by the DOT on 10th June 2013 and the orders were issued on the same day. This was a great achievement, considering the fact that BSNL was in loss and was facing severe financial crisis.
The Forum met on 11th June 2013 and after review of the entire situation decided to call off the strike. The meeting of the forum held on 13th June seriously discussed about the revival of BSNL and decided that massive campaign among employees as also public should be organised to give wide propaganda. Accordingly, it was planned to organise an All India convention at Delhi followed by Circle/ SSA conventions within the next three months. Forum demanded the management to conduct the Works Committee meetings regularly to discuss the development and expansion with the unions. Forum also formed a Core Committee with Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri (Convener), P.Abhimanyu (BSNLEU), K.Sebastin (SNEA), C.Singh (NFTE), Prahlad rai(AIBSNLEA),K.Jaya Prakash (FNTO) and N.D.Ram (SEWA BSNL) to meet on regular basis and implement decisions. (to be continued)
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 
Sir tell something about casual labours.we are depraid long time, we are casual from 1990,so we are casual 30 year it is a history kindly cheak grenag book there are no entry 30 years casual.
Certainly. We are trying.