08 Tuesday Apr 2014
08 Tuesday Apr 2014
Posted in BSNLEU
Today, the subject in the trade Union Class organised by BSNLEU at K.G.Bose Bhawan was ” Trade Union Movement with special reference to P and T Trade Union Movement”. The class was taken by Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU.
With this class, the present TU class is over. Next TU class will be conducted later, after decision by the BSNLEU
05 Saturday Apr 2014
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Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU and Advisor AIBDPA met senior officers of the DoT on 4th April 2014 and discussed important issues:
Meeting with Ms. Annie Moraes, Member (Finance):
1. 78.2% IDA fixation for Pensioners – Com. Namboodiri expressed serious concern at the undue delay in taking decision and issue of orders. It is almost ten months after orders have been issued for regular employees. Member (Finance) stated that Dept. of Expenditure has sought clarifications on three issues viz. 1) whether Cabinet decision is required, 2) whether the pension will exceed 60% of the amount being paid by BSNL to DOT on taxes, licence fee etc. and 3) whether there is any precedent for making payment of pensionary benefits on notional pay and pension revision. The reply is being prepared and will be furnished to DoE early. Com. Namboodiri demanded speedy action by DOT.
2. Rs. 1,500 crore payment to BSNL in lieu of ADC: The Rs.1,500 crore allotted for BSNL from USOF is still not paid. This is to be paid with out further delay. Member (Finance) stated that the matter is being pursued, but certain report from BSNL is required on the performance etc.
3. Upgradation of cities on the basis of the 2011 census: Though it is more than 2 years after the census report has been published, the upgradation of cities like Ahmedabad are still pending orders. Com. Namboodiri requested for early issue of orders. It was stated that the issue has to be decided by DPE on the basis of the final report of the Census.
Meeting with Ms. Rita Teotia, Addl Secretary DOT:
1. Merger of BSNL and MTNL: Com. VAN Namboodiri expressed serious concerns regarding the merger and demanded that these concerns of the employees as mentioned in the Forum Memorandum should be settled before any merger is decided. Addl. Secretary assured that so far no decision has been taken on Merger and that the concerns of the employees will be certainly considered.
2. VRS in BSNL: Addl. Secretary stated that the DOT is fully aware of the opposition of the workers. In fact, no decision has been taken and the viewpoint of the unions will be considered, if any decision will be taken.
Meeting with Shri S.C.Misra, Member (Services):
1. 78.2% IDA fixation for pensioners: Member (Services) stated the complications with regard to the queries raised by the DoE. He also stated that the same is being examined and reply will be given to DOE early.
03 Thursday Apr 2014
The 30th Meeting of the National Council of BSNL is scheduled to meet at 1100 AM on 22nd April 2014. This is the second meeting after the VI Membership Verification for recognition of unions in which BSNLEU and NFTE have been recognised.
The sincerity and efficiency of the BSNL management in implementing the decisions of the National Council has been very low in the recent past. Decisions taken in the council are either not implemented or are being delayed indefinitely.
In the last meeting of the Council, the Staff Side has demanded that the next meeting should be in April. It is being implemented. It has to be seen whether the management will implement all the decisions taken earlier before the ensuing meeting. It should do that which will give credibility to the meeting and decisions.
27 Thursday Mar 2014
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It was a hectic programme for one week in Kerala for me. On 18th March 2014 the Circle Convention of the Casual and Contract Labour Union (BSNLCCWF), on 19th March, the Circle Convention of AIBDPA and on 20th March, the Circle Convention of BSNLEU were held at Thiruvananthapuram.
On 21st the SSA Convention of BSNLEU and AIBDPA was held at Kannur and a similar Convention at Malappuram on 26th March.On 22nd March BSNLEU Day was observed at Calicut. A Kudumba Sangamam under the auspices of AIBDPA was held at Ernakulam on 27th March.
I attended and addressed all these programmes. During the interactions with comrades, I could understand that Kerala Circle comrades are making hectic efforts to improve the profit of BSNL and the same will be more than last year. It is the only circle which has been continuously making profits. The recent 16 days strike by the CCLU has improved the wages and other benefits of casual and contract workers. The membership of AIBDPA has increased in a very positive way. All these three unions are working jointly with very good co-ordination.
I expressed my appreciation and called upon them to improve the efficiency and strengthen BSNL.
27 Thursday Mar 2014
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNLEU
A ‘Kudumba Sangamam’ (Family Convention) under the auspices of AIBDPA was held at Lions Community Hall, Ernakulam today, 27th March 2014.In addition to the Pensioners, their family members also participated. The hall was completely full and many more came. The Convention was presided by Com. P.V.Chandrasekharan, Circle President, AIBDPA presided. Adv. Com. P.A.Kumaran, SSA President welcomed.
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor AIBDPA and President, BSNLEU, inaugurated the Convention. In his speech he focussed on the important issues of the BSNL-DOT Pensioners as also BSNL Employees. The fight by the BSNL employees under the Forum as also JAC of Non-executive unions was briefed. He also reported about the International Congress of Pensioners and retirees held at Barcelona.
Comrades K.N.Ravindranath, veteran CITU leader, C.S.V.Nair, A.V.Kuriakose, Circle President, BSNLEU, N.Ramesan, Circle Secretary AIBDPA and other leaders addressed. Com. N.M.A.Karim proposed vote of thanks.
Cultural programmes and rendering of songs by the senior citizens and children were interesting and educative.
22 Saturday Mar 2014
Posted in BSNLEU, TU News - India
There are many senior comrades of the P and T Movement, who are retired years back, but still continues to keep close connection with the workers and the union movement. Com. N.O.Anandan Master is such a comrade.
While at Kannur to attend the SSA Convention of BSNLEU and AIBDPA on 21st March 2014, I got the opportunity to meet him at his home.Before starting of the Convention, along with Coms. K.Mohanan, Circle Secretary BSNLEU Kerala, P.Manoharan, Circle Asst. Secretary,BSNLEU, C.R.Manoj BSNLEU Comrade and my wife Pankajam, I went to the home of Com.Anandan Master. He was very happy to receive us along with his wife Smt. Sita, daughter Com. Latha, who is working in BSNL and is a very active union leader and her husband Com.T. Chathukutty, working in SBI. We talked about the historic struggles, our common comrades like N.P.Padmanabhan, former Secretary, NFTE, T.M.Janardhanan (Janu Master ), who have let us. I shared my memories of Kannur when I worked there from 1959 to 1964 and about the historic 1960 strike. Of course, we had a tasty breakfast together.
I was happy to see that passed 85, Comrade Anandan Master is still keeping good health. He has kept a lot of old books and journals and also photos connected with the P and T Union movement.
When we departed to attend the convention, Anandan Master and family came up to the gate to see us off.
There are many such senior comrades all over the country who have sacrificed their entire lives for the workers and their movement. It is an inspiration to meet and discuss with them.
Thank You Com. Anandan Master for the few minutes which we shared
22 Saturday Mar 2014
Posted in BSNLEU
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BSNLEU Foundation Day, 22nd March 2014, was celebrated at Kozhikode by organising a well attended meeting in the PGM Office premises. Com. Purushothaman, District President, presided. Com. Jayarajan District Secretary, BSNLEU welcomed all.
Inaugurating the meeting, Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, spoke about the heritage of BSNLEU and the circumstances under which the UNion was formed by merging 8 existing unions. The achievements of the union during the last 13 years were also focussed. Com. Vijayakumar, ACS, BSNLEU and Com. V.Bhagyalakshmi, convener, State Mahila committee addressed.
22 Saturday Mar 2014
Posted in BSNLEU, Uncategorized
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Today, 22nd March 2014, is the 13th Foundation Day Anniversary of BSNL Employees Union, the mighty progressive union of the BSNL Employees. My Revolutionary Greetings and Best Wishes to all of you on this day!
BSNL Employees Union during the last 13 years have been serving the BSNL workers, raising their issues, negotiating and making sustained struggles for achievement of the same. Many important issues including two wage revisions, NEPP and other issues could be settled with the full support of the workers, which benefitted them as never before. BSNLEU will continue to do the same in future also.
BSNLEU has taken initiative to bring all the non-executive and executive unions together to make all out efforts to improve BSNL and its services to the people. The mighty struggles and strikes organised by the JAC/Joint Forum/ Forum compelled the government and the BSNL Management to backtrack from its decisions to implement Disinvestment /Retrenchment / VRS etc. in BSNL. The Forum’s strong reaction to the proposal of the Government to merge BSNL and MTNL, without settling the crucial issues like wage differences, disinvest of MTNL to the extend of 46.5%, huge loan liabilities of MTNL etc. compelled the government from moving forward. But we have to be still vigilant and be ready for instant action if any such decision is taken.
BSNLEU took the initiative for forming the JAC of the Non-Executive Unions for taking a united stand on the workers’ issues and go on agitation unitedly. As part of this unity effort, it strongly initiated for the recognition of a second union also and brought recognition to NFTE, which will benefit BSNL and its workers.
BSNLEU is part of the working class movement in the country. It has got a great heritage. It has assimilated all the inspiring tradition of the P and T Trade Union movement under the leadership of the founding fathers like Babu Tarapada Mukherjee, Henry Barton, V.G.Dalvi and Dada Ghosh. BSNLEU has always taken guidance from the Revolutionary leader, Com. K.G.Bose, who inspired a whole generation of workers and will inspire the future generations.
BSNLEU has taken part in all the struggles organised by the Central Trade Unions and CPSTU, the Co-ordination Committee of the PSU Unions. Our activities and participation are well appreciated.
BSNLEU is part of the world working class. Its representatives have participated in the Congress of World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) since 2005 as also the Trade Union International (TUI) of Public Services, which is affiliated to WFTU.
BSNLEU leaders and workers had been in the forefront of the struggles and had sacrificed themselves to the cause of workers. The fight for justice to workers has been a long and strenuous. This will certainly continue.
The formation of All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA) and BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation (BSNLCCWF) was another achievement of BSNLEU.These two organisations have strengthened and are functioning as the champions in their respective areas.
BSNLEU stands for the working class unity. It stands for progressive ideas. And it will always be in the forefront of the struggles for the cause of BSNL workers.Let all of us pledge to continue and improve our work and struggle for the cause of the BSNL workers.
Revolutionary Greetings to all our Comrades, Friends and Well Wishers on BSNLEU Day!
21 Friday Mar 2014
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNLEU, Uncategorized
The SSA Unions of AIBDPA and BSNLEU Kannur District organised a very impressive Convention jointly on 21st March 2014 at Com. T.K.Balan Memorial Hall. The hall was full with some comrades even sitting outside the hall. Com. K.Kunhiraman, SSA Secretary, AIBDPA presided.
Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU and Advisor AIBDPA inaugurated the Convention. In his speech, he mentioned about the latest developments in BSNL, including the proposal of the government to merge BSNL, formation of new companies bifurcating BSNL etc. and called upon the workers for rallying round BSNLEU to fight the saem.He also briefed the house about the latest position on 78.2% IDA pension fixation, Barcelona Congress of Pensioners and Retirees etc.
Coms.K.Mohanan,Circle Secretary BSNLEU, P.Manoharan, ACS, BSNLEU, Ravindran Kodakkad,DS, BSNLEU, P.V.Unnikrishnan, SSA President AIBDPA ,K.R.R.Varma, ACS, AIBDPA, P.V.Rajan, DS BSNLEU, Nandakumar, Circle Vice-President, BSNLEU and other leaders addressed.
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 