Joint Action Committee of BSNL Associations/Unions of Executives and Non-Executives will be meeting tomorrow, 7th February to discuss about 28th February strike, admission of new unions etc. I hope that the meeting will be highly fruitful on both these issues.

Punjab is preparing both for the All India Conference and the membership verification that is to be held in February 2013. This is the message that  we received from the Circle Conference of the BSNLEU Punjab Circle held at Ludhiana on  4^th February 2012.

Both myself and Com. P. Abhimanyu , GS, BSNLEU, reached Ludhiana in the early night of 3rd February. We were received by Coms. R.L.Moudgil, Balwinder Singh, District Secretary and other leaders at the Railway Station. The Conference started at about 1100 hours  on 3^rd at the Convention Hall, presided over by Com.R.L.Moudgil Circle President.  The report was  presented by the Circle  secretary, Com. Balbir Singh. Representatives from all the districts participated in the discussion.  Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary  gave his key note address and touched upon in detail on almost all the important issues.

Open Session.

The Open Session started at about 1300 hours presided by Com.R.L.Moudgil, Circle President.  Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, All India President, spoke about the international and national situations and the struggles taking place all over the world and India. He touched upon the issues connected with the financial viability of BSNL and other issues. S/Shri N.K.Gupta, CGM and other officers also addressed.

Since I had to return by the evening train, I left before the conclusion of the conference. However, the discussion and the very good attendance showed the determination of the Punjab comrades to strengthen their organisation and make the AIC a big success.

The meeting of the Standing Committee of National Council of BSNL was held today, 25th January 2012. The first meeting of the National Council, after BSNLEU won in the second membership was held on January 25th itself in 2005. BSNLEU is the recognised union in BSNL for the last 7 years and it is sure that in the next verification in 2012 also, BSNLEU will win.

During these 7 years BSNLEU could achieve many gains for the workers, through discussions and struggles. BSNLEU has initiated a movement to save BSNL, which all unions have agreed and under the leadership of JAC, the movement is going forward.  Let us continue this movement to save BSNL and its workers.

I am at Calicut since yesterday. I will return to Delhi on 23rd January. Today, the District Secretary, BSNLEU, Com. Jayaraj came to my residence and handed over to me about 10 calenders of 2012 published by the District Union. It is beautifully printed with multi-colours in an attractive manner. It is to be taken to CHQ for office and other comrades.

The Calicut District BSNLEU has been publishing the calendar for many years, which will be supplied to each and every member. You can see the calendar in homes of all our comrades. In addition to the usual information, the important dates connected with trade unions and especially of telecom are  noted in it.

I feel that this is a good system and also a propaganda for the union and can be emulated by others.

It was expected. Thousands of BSNL workers have joined BSNL Employees Union during 15th December to 14th January period when the BSNL management has accorded time to enrol members of the unions. The continuous reports in the BSNLEU website confirm this.

Despite the unjustified and negative criticism of the NFTE , FNTO etc. the workers have understood from their own experience that the Wage revision and NEPP have been the best they have received in their entire life. They also appreciate the continuous struggles undertaken by BSNLEU to protect the interests of the workers. Naturally more and more workers will join BSNLEU.

Welcome to all New Members of BSNLEU! Congratulations to the branch/SSA level leaders and workers who made it possible. Without their support it would have been difficult to enrol these members.

K.G.Bose Bhawan, the newly purchased building of BSNLEU will be inaugurated on 22nd March 2012. The date is also the foundation day of BSNLEU. CEC meeting of BSNLEU also will be held at that time in New Delhi. CHQ is making all arrangements to make the programme a great success.

At about 1930 hours today, 7th January, I got an unexpected call. It was from Comrade V.A.Harsulkar, the former General Secretary of T-III Union for a very long period and then President, till BSNLEU was formed. He was one member of the Presidium at Vishakhapatnam Telecom Convention in 2001 which was the foundation conference of BSNLEU as also who hoisted the National Flag at the start of the Convention. We wanted him to be one of the Patron of the new union, but he politely declined. I had visited him at his residence two-three times afterwards as courtesy call.

He has called me to congratulate for having bought a building for the BSNLEU at New Delhi. He told that he has seen the report in the union journal, Telecrusader, which he is receiving regularly.He was  happy  and enquired about the location of the building etc. I Invited him to attend the inauguration on 22nd March  and he assured to come, health permitting. He might have crossed 85. Com Harsulkar had a dream  to have  an own building for T.III union at Delhi and had collected some amount, but the plan did not work. The money was used by the next general secretary to own a rest house at Kanyakumari. So, he will be doubly happy that BSNLEU, which he presided at the formation Conference, has fulfilled his dream of having union’s own building in Delhi.

Thank you, Comrade Harsulkar for taking keen interest in the union even at this stage and wishing to come to attend the inaugural function. Hearty welcome to you!