Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 ( 21 )

30 Tuesday Jun 2015

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Outsourcing/leasing of tower, Optical Fibre Cable opposed

The JAC in its meeting on 04-10-2011 strongly opposed the above outsourcing and addressed a letter to the CMD BSNL on this. A press release was also issued.

Strike preparation in full swing

The preparation for the strike was in full swing. The JAC issued a Circular signed by all the unions. Press releases were issued by the JAC. Many M.P.s were contacted and their support requested.  An Appeal to the Parliament Members were prepared and sent to many MPs. Wall posters were printed and circulated. Campaign meetings were held every where to make the strike successful. In this context, the BSNL Management under the chairmanship of Shri A.K.Garg, Director(HR) held discussions with JAC leaders. All the issues in the strike notice were discussed, but no satisfactory decision was taken by the management. The JAC leaders informed that since no agreement was reached, the strike will take place as decided. Rallies in preparation of the one day strike was organized at SSA/Circle/C.O. levels on 8th December 2015 with good participation. A conciliation meeting held by the CLC on 15-12-2011 could not solve the issues.

One Day Strike on 15th December 2011

The Strike on 15th December 2011 was a great success. Though FNTO did not participate and also issued statement opposing the strike, it did not have any effect.  The strike was participated completely by the workers. The reports from all places indicated that the workers were aware of the serious situation and had come forward to participate in the Strike and save BSNL and its workers. Many Federations/Unions supported and gave solidarity to the struggle of BSNL employees.

25 meetings of the Joint Action Committee was held in 2011 and various issues discussed and struggles organized. (To be continued)

We can not be lazy and casual, BSNL has to be revived

29 Monday Jun 2015

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In the latest circular of the Forum, it is mentioned that no reports have been received from the circle Forums / Unions, about the 09.00 PM- 07.00 AM campaign from 8th June 2015 called for by the Forum. This is distressing. The BSNL employees are in the middle of a great Save BSNL Campaign, and we can not be lazy or casual on the issue. The campaign has now been extended to one more month, which is required.

When the house is on fire, no body can be inactive or casual. BSNL is facing difficult times. The challenge has to be made an opportunity to improve the services, to improve the financial position.

‘Do or Die’, ‘Perform or Perish’ are not mere slogans. They are the slogans which have to be made practical when we meet challenges. Let us be serious, determined and dedicated to the cause of saving and strengthening BSNL.

Meeting of Forum at Bengaluru

29 Monday Jun 2015

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A meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations Karnataka Circle was held at BSNLEU Circle Union Office on 29th June 2015. Com. Sheshadri, AGS NFTE presided. Circle Secretaries / Representatives of BSNLEU, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, SEWA BSNL, TEPU and other leaders attended. Com. C.K.Gundanna, Circle Convener, Forum and CS BSNLEU and Com. H.V.Sudershan, Convener, Forum, BGTD welcomed all as also Com. VAN Namboodiri, Founder Convener of Forum, who was present. Com. G.G.Patil (AIBDPA) was also present.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, former Convener, Forum briefed the comrades about the latest developments regarding the Save BSNL Campaign, 09.00 PM – 07.00 AM and free roaming Campaign and issues connected with the 21-22 April 2015 Strike, the discussion with the Secretary, DOT, discussion with the Minister Communications etc. by the AIBDPA on 78.2% IDA pension fixation. The necessity of utilising the present opportunity to improve the services and development were also explained.

All the comrades present participated in the discussion. The points raised by the comrades were replied to by Com. Namboodiri.

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 ( 20 )

29 Monday Jun 2015

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NFTE & FNTO requested to come back to JAC

As per the decision of the JAC, letters were addressed to NFTE and FNTO to come back to the JAC. Discussion also took place. They stated that they will put the issue before their respective working committees.

JAC meeting with the Secretary DOT on 04-08-2011

The JAC leaders met Shri Chandrasekhar, Secretary DOT on 04-08-2011 and discussed some of the issues raised by the JAC. Shri S.C.Misra, Member(Services) was also present. The following issues were discussed.

  1. Absorption of ITS officers.
  2. Against retaining of BSNL buildings with DOT
  3. National Broadband Network to be entrusted to BSNL
  4. Cancellation of licences of errant companies.
  5. Delay in payment of Revision of Pension from 01-01-2007 and its arrears.
  6. BSNL’s pension contribution to be on the actual basic pay instead of on the maximum of pay

Secretary, DOT assured to consider all the matters positively.

Withdrawal of Medical Allowance, LTC, Leave Encashment etc.

BSNL started posting loss from 2009-2010. It was more loss in 2010-11. In this circumstance, instead of expanding the business, the BSNL management, in the name of reducing expenditure, issued orders withdrawing the Medical Allowance without voucher, restrictions on LTC,  curtailing Leave encashment at the time of availing LTC etc. Further the management did not take any action to pay Bonus. This was done while the employees under the leadership of JAC were making all efforts to improve the services and to make BSNL financially viable.

Dharna on 14th September 2011

The meeting of the JAC held on 7th September discussed the matter and decided to organize dharna on 14th September in all SSAs/Circle and Corporate office. A meeting was called by PGM(SR) to discuss the above issues. But there was no result. The Dharna programme as decided was organized effectively with massive participation in all the centres. This was a clear warning to the management.

JAC decides for One Day Strike on 10th October 2011

The meeting of the Joint Action Committee held on 21st September 2011 discussed all the above issues and decided to organize agitational programmes including strike for settlement of the present issues.  The following programmes were decided:

  1. One Day Fast on 27-09-2011
  2. One Day Strike on 10-10-2011

It was also proposed to meet as many Members of Parliament as possible and seek their support for the demands and agitation. The Strike Notice was issued on 22-09-2011 with the following demands:

  1. No VRS
  2. Immediate payment of Bonus(PLI)
  3. Restoration of Medical Allowance, Leave encashment and LTC.
  4. Immediate conclusion of the process of ITS absorption
  5. 2% IDA fixation
  6. Immediate procurement and supply of equipments including GSM, BB Modem, Cables,Trans SMS, MLLN etc. and implementation of important business projects like ERP, NGN and transmission NMS.
  7. Government Policy Issues:
  8. Compensation for loss making rural services according to policy commitments.
  9. Pension Contribution to DOT only on actual basic pay instead of maximum of the pay scale.
  10. Refund of Rs. 8,313 crore paid towards non-standard BWA spectrum band
  11. Grant of flexibility in selecting circles choice for 3G spectrum
  12. Access deficit Charge(ADC) should be quantified through adequate and appropriate mechanism and paid to BSNL
  13. Reimbursement of Licence fee as assured at the time of corporatization.
  14. Refund of ‘Notional Loan’ of Rs. 7,500 crore with interest collected by DOT to BSNL
  15. Discontinue all Telecom Advisory Committees.

The strike notice was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener JAC, P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi(SNEA(I), P.Venugopal(AIBSNLEA), V.Subburaman(TEPU), Suresh Kumar(BSNLMS), Ram Kishun Ram(BTU BSNL), Gajendra Kumar(BTEU), S.C.Gaur(BSNLOA), N.D.Ram(SEWA BSNL), R.K.Kohli(NFTBE).

As per the decision massive dharnas were organized on 27th September 2011 at SSA/Circle/C.O. levels successfully.

Strike postponed for broader unity

The JAC contacted  NFTE and FNTO leaders who were keeping away from the JAC for some time and requested that they may join JAC and also participate in the one day strike proposed on 10th October 2011. Both unions agreed to join the strike, if it is postponed so that they will get time to prepare. Accordingly, the Strike date was postponed to 15th December 2011. The Strike Notice was issued  on 17-11-2011 signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, JAC, P.Abhimanyu (BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi (SNEA(I), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), V.Subburaman (TEPU), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), R.K.Kohli (NFTBE), Kanchilal(SEWA BSNL), R.K.Ram(BTU BSNL) and S.C.Gaur(BSNLOA). NFTE and a few other unions stated that they will issue separate notice and participate in the strike. (To be continued)

Meeting of BSNLCCWF at Bengaluru

29 Monday Jun 2015

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A meeting of the BSNLCCWF, Bengaluru was held at the CITU office, Bengaluru on 29th June 2015. Comrades from Bengaluru as well as some comrades from nearby stations attended.The meeting was addressed by Comrades C.K.Gundanna, Circle President, Mahantesh, Circle Secretary, BSNLCCWF, H.V.Sudershan, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU and Cheluvaraju, All India Office-bearer, BSNLCCWF.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, All India President, BSNLCCWF addressed the meeting and briefed the house about the present position of the demands of the casual and contract workers, the discussion with the Parliamentary Standing Committee, the 2nd Septemebr Strike, revival of BSNL, AIC at Kanyakumari and connected matters.

The meeting decided to organise agitational programmes for settlement of the urgent demands. It also unanimously decided to participate in the 2nd September strike called for by the Central trade Unions. The meeting also decided to strengthen the organisation by making all workers as members of the union.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) agreement signed – a great achievement.

29 Monday Jun 2015

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Beijing, Jun 29 : Representatives from 50 founding countries, including India, today signed an agreement that provided the legal framework for the China-led USD 100 billion multilateral Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The 60-article agreement specified each member’s share as well as governance structure and policy-making mechanism of the bank, which is designed to finance infrastructure in Asia.

The delegates from 50 founding countries gathered at the Great Hall of the People for the signing ceremony. Australia was the first country to sign the agreement, followed by 49 other members. Seven more countries are due to sign by the end of the year.

The AIIB will have authorised capital of USD 100 billion, and Asian countries will contribute to up to 75 per cent of the total capital. Each member will be allocated a share of the quota based on their economic size, according to the agreement.

The AIIB will be able to help the developing Asian Countries for their infrastructure and development. It is a good development.

 

Repeat of Great depression 1930 – RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan

27 Saturday Jun 2015

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“Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan has asked central banks from across the world to define “new rules of the game” as he warned that the global economy may be slipping into problems similar to the Great Depression of the 1930s” (TOI)

So, the capitalist system is going to face another depression like 1930, according to RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan. This is serious. The working class was the biggest sufferers of the 1930 depression. Even the pay scales of the Central government employees in India were curtailed and reduced. Of course, they fought back to the extend possible at that time.

Anyway, the workers do not want another repression.

 

Vatican recognises state of Palestine – A good gesture

27 Saturday Jun 2015

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At last, the Vatican also has recognised the “State of Palestine.” While most of the  countries have recognised Palestine earlier, some countries did not do so, because of the pressure from the US and Israel. Now the recognition of Palestine by Vatican and Pope is a welcome step. The report on the above is given below:
“The Vatican signed a treaty with the “State of Palestine” on Friday, saying it hoped its legal recognition of the state would help stimulate peace with Israel and that the treaty itself would serve as a model for other Mideast countries.
Vatican Foreign Minister Paul Gallagher and his Palestinian counterpart, Riad al-Malki, signed the treaty at a ceremony inside the Vatican. “

 

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 ( 19 )

27 Saturday Jun 2015

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2011

Meeting with Secretary, DOT on the strike issues

A meeting of the JAC  was held with Shri R.Chandrasekhar, Secretary, DOT on 06-02-2011 with regard to the implementation of the agreement made on 2nd December 2010 at the time of the strike.

Protest Against BRPSE’s retrograde recommendations

In the meanwhile, the BRPSE recommended implementing VRS in BSNL, Reduction of retirement age to 58,  Merger of ITI with BSNL etc. The meeting of the JAC held on 29-03-2011, unanimously decided to organize country wide demonstrations on 5th April 2011 against these retrograde recommendations. The demonstrations were effectively organised throughout the country.

The Convener, JAC, Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri wrote a detailed letter to Communications Minister Shri Kapil Sibal on 12-04-2011 with regard to the absorption of ITS officers in BSNL. Another letter was written on the same day to the Lok Sabha secretariat submitting our suggestions on the allocation and pricing of telecom licences and spectrum to the Joint Parliament Committee (JPC) appointed for the purpose and seeking a meeting.

In the meantime, NFTE and FNTO stopped attending the Forum meetings. The reason seemed to be the misunderstanding arisen due to the hectic campaign in the Membership Verification of non-executive unions held in the December 2010.

“Customer Delight Month”, “Employees Awareness Week”

The JAC meeting held on 29th March 2011 decided to observe May 2011 as “Customer Delight Month”, to educate and propagate among the workers the need to attend to the  customers in a far better way so that the services will be better and there will be good feeling among the customers. The financial viability of the company was going down and the service was also not up to the mark. Hence, the programme of “Customer Delight Month”. There was general consensus in the meeting that the ‘government mind set’ should be changed and work culture should be improved. It was also decided to give wide publicity to the decision. In the same way an “Employees Awareness Week” is also to be observed from 24-04-2011. These programmes were effectively observed in many places.

A meeting was held with the JAC by Shri Gopal Das, CMD, BSNL on 20-05-2011 on the implementation of the “Customer Delight Month” in which the JAC gave a number of valuable suggestions. On the basis of these suggestions, the BSNL issued several instructions to the field offices for taking specific actions to improve the services.

The JAC had another round of discussions on 03-05-2011 with the newly appointed CMD Shri R.K.Upadhyay on the suggestions for improvement of the services and implementation of the “Customer Delight Month”. The Directors (HR), (CFQ) and (CA) also attended.

The JAC also decided to organize   JAC meetings in circles which should be attended by the leaders of the Forum/General Secretaries of the JAC affiliated unions. These meetings were effectively held.

The JAC  objected strongly against the action of  DOT arbitrarily taking over the important BSNL buildings in many places and handing over the same to CCAs etc. Resolution was adopted in the meeting on this subject on 27-04-2011 and forwarded to the Prime Minister, Communications Minister, Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL.

ITS Absorption –  Court case

The  meeting of the JAC held on 8th April 2011 decided to file a court case on the ITS absorption issue. The case will be filed by BSNLEU, SNEA(I) and AIBSNLEA jointly. This was done.

Proposals for a New Telecom Policy 2011 were submitted to the Communications Minister Kapil Sibal on 06-06-2011 as per decision of the JAC.

“Customer Delight Year 2011-12”

The meeting of the Joint Action Council held on 13th July 2011 discussed in detail about the implementation of the “Customer Delight Month”. The reports received from the General Secretaries showed that while in some centres, the observation has been effective, in many places the workers have not started the programme seriously. However, there have been improvement in almost all places. It was decided to extend the programme and convert it to “Customer Delight Year 2011-2012”. A Circular was issued in the matter signed by the Convener and all the General Secretaries.

The Director(HR) BSNL Shri A.K.Garg  issued a letter on 20th July 2011 to all the CGMs intimating that the JAC has decided to observe “Customer Delight Year 2011-12” and to ensure that all actions are taken to make the programme a success. (To be continued)

“Post card campaign” to save BSNL – Forum Decision

27 Saturday Jun 2015

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“Post card campaign” to be conducted in the month of August.

The Forum meeting held yesterday, has expressed it’s dissatisfaction over the fact that, the government has not taken any meaningful step for the revival of BSNL. It is already 2 months since the 2 day strike has taken place, and also talks were held with the Secretary, DoT. Except in the matter of 78.2% IDA merger for pensioners, no improvement has come on any other issue. The Forum has decided that, the whole month of July should be utilised to increase our customer base. At the same time, the Forum has come to the conclusion that, we cannot remain silent for long. Hence, it is decided in the meeting held yesterday that, a “Post card campaign ” should be conducted in the month of August. This campaign should take place from 10th to 22nd August, 2015. A post card should go from each and every employee to the Hon’ble Minister of Communications, demanding immediate steps for the revival of BSNL. The text of the post card shall be as follows:-

” Hon’ble Minister of Communications & IT is requested to immediately settle the demands submitted by the Forum, for the revival of BSNL. “

The post card should be signed by the individual employee, with his name, designation and SSA. The Forum at the circle and SSA levels should organise this campaign.  Let us make the post card campaign a grand success. Let us arrange to send one post card from each of the 2.25 lakh BSNL employees. Let us make the Minister and the government understand about the determination of the BSNL employees to revive BSNL. (Courtesy: BSNLEU Website)