My Hearty Greetings and thanks to all members, comrades and well-wishers on this BSNLEU Day, for the support and guidance given which helped the growth and success of BSNL Employees Union during the last 11 years in serving the interests of the workers and common people. Within 4 years of its formation, BSNLEU became the No. 1 union in BSNL. During the last 4 membership verification, it won with thumping majority continuously  and continues to be the recognised and negotiating union.

The path has not been rosy: it was full of thorns and other obstacles. But with the full support and solidarity from the members, it has crossed all and advanced. As the founder General Secretary and the present  President, I have been part of the movement all along. Many important issues could be settled during the period, like two wage revisions, Promotion Policy etc. and there are some more to be settled. The process will go on. We are on march towards progress and advancement.

Let us remember all the comrades who were with us and have contributed for the victory and growth.

BSNLEU ZINDABAD!

There is good news for the senior officials whose demand to grant them stepping up of pay  to that of their juniors in the junior scale, due to point to point fixation in the pay revision, was rejected by the management.

This was agreed to at the time of the pay revision itself. A committee consisting the staff side and official side  recommended stepping up of pay. This was approved by the Management Committee and BSNL Board, but was rejected by the DOT, since they have to pay pension on that.

Some officials in Kerala has gone to the CAT and a judgement was got to step up pay. BSNL went on appeal to High Court which was rejected. The CHQ BSNLEU put a strong demand to implement the court judgement, but instead management went on SLP to Supreme Court. Now the Supreme Court has dismissed the SLPin case Nos.  SLP NO. CC 4124 of 2012                 CC 4142 of 2012                 CC 4173 of 2012. After many years, the management has lost its case. It has  now to implement the agreement it made with the union earlier of stepping up of the pay of the senior to the junior in the junior scale who got more than the senior in the wage revision.

The BSNL management should immediately implement the court judgement without any delay. The seniors will get justice now.

CHQ BSNLEU is making all preparations for the inauguration of the CHQ building ‘K.G.Bose Bhawan’ at New Delhi on 22nd March 2012, the 11th Foundation Anniversary of BSNLEU. Invitation cards have been sent to senior leaders, leaders of sister unions etc. and we hope that most of them will attend. The function will be at the building place itself. Com. A.K.Padmanabhan, President, CITU will inaugurate the building.

The Central Executive Committee will be held on 22nd and 23rd March at Delhi itself.

It is a joy for each and every BSNLEU worker that they have been able to have an own building with contribution from the workers themselves.

The 11th Foundation Day anniversary of BSNL Employees Union will be celebrated in a big way by the BSNL workers as usual.

On  22^nd of March 2012, BSNL Employees Union, the only majority and recognised union of non-executive employees in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will be completing 11 years of glorious service to the nation and the employees in particular. All over India, BSNL employees will be celebrating the day by organising meetings and rallies as also involving themselves in social activities like blood donation camps, donation of school books and uniforms to the poor children, food and funds to the blind, deaf children, kambals and spectacles to the old people etc.  The commitment to the society is one basic concept we have always cherished and tried to implement maximum.  As employees having reasonable monthly earnings, we have responsibility to the society and mainly to the poor sections to share their burdens to the extent possible. It is not charity, but a commitment.

In this connection, we cannot forget many senior comrades who have retired from service and are continuing their service to the society in various ways in the fields of education, politics, social service, health issues, employment opportunities and similar activities. We appreciate that instead of retiring from activities, they continue to be part of the mainstream.

CHQ will be celebrating the Foundation Day with the Inauguration of the Union’s own building at New Delhi, named ‘K.G.Bose Bhawan’. Comrade A.K.Padmanabhan, president, CITU will inaugurate and many senior BSNLEU leaders as also leaders of fraternal organisations are invited to grace the occasion.

But mainly it is the service rendered by the union to the BSNL workers and the working class in general, that keeps the union in a separate category. BSNLEU has to continue the legacy. Due to the election/membership verification process every two years to elect the recognised union, and the fact that BSNLEU has won continuously in the last four verifcations, others will have to raise criticisms against BSNLEU to justify their existence. But once the election mania is over, all the workers agree that during the last 7 years of recognised period, BSNLEU has served the workers in an appreciate way and has many achievements to its credit. BSNLEU will continue this excellent service.

We hope that all Branches/SSAs/Circles will observe and celebrate the Foundation Day as usual.

A workers meeting of BSNLEU, especially that of District Executive Committee members and Branch Secretaries was held at the BSNLEU office, CTO premises, BG. I spoke in detail about why we are opposing VRS, Disinvestment etc. and our efforts to improve the BSNL services. The anti-worker policy of the government was exposed. The gains achieved during the last few years by BSNLEU, including the wage revisions, NEPP etc. were explained. Com. Sudarshan, Dist. Secretary welcomed. Coms. Bhandari, Prakash, Prema Praksh, Muddiah and other leaders were also present.

Today, a general body meeting of the BSNLEU was held at Bengaluru   CGM Office auditorium, which was full, even though at short notice. I thanked the house for inviting me and explained in detail about the latest developments in Telecom sector, our fight against neo-liberal policies and certain issues like NEPP, VRS etc. Coms. C.K.Gundanna, Circle Secretary, Sudarshan, District Secretary and other leaders were also present.

The CHQ BSNLEU is fully preparing for the inauguration of the union building KG Bose Bhawan  on 22nd March 2012. Though in some Circles/SSAs, BSNLEU has got own buildings, but it is the first time that CHQ is going to have its own building. It was the dream of all of the union members to have its own building to accommodate Central Head Quarters. After the All India Conference has unanimously decided to purchase a building, within one and half years, the decision has been implemented. The building is close to Dada Ghosh Bhawan, where CHQ is functioning at present.

The inauguration on 22nd March has got more than one importance. First of all, our own building is being inaugurated. Second the building is named after the revolutionary leader Com. K.G.Bose, who fought his entire life for a correct line in the P&T Unions and was the President of united NFPTE. The third is that the building is inaugurated on the foundation day (2001) of BSNLEU. The fourth is that the date is the 35th death anniversary of Comrade A.K.Gopalan, Opposition (Group) leader in the first Parliament, and the greatest leader of the working class and the toiling masses, India has ever seen. On the day of inauguration, the Central Executive Committee of BSNLEU will be meeting also. It will also be a meeting point for many senior leaders who built this great organisation.

The building will be inaugurated by Com. A.K.Padmanabhan, President of CITU and will be greeted by many other trade union leaders.

Yes, it will be a festival of the BSNLEU workers. All preparations are being made for the success of the programme.