Category Archives: CITU

Remembering Com. A.K.G., the Commander of the Downtrodden.

21 Saturday Mar 2020

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22nd March 2020, is the 43rd death anniversary of Comrade A.K.Gopalan, veteran working class leader, PBM, CPI(M) and the first Opposition (Group) Leader in the Indian Parliament. He died on 22nd March 1977 after a long illness.

Com. AKG, as he is popularly called was an indomitable fighter of the working class and toiling masses. His entire life was full of struggles for the downtrodden people. He was arrested and put in jail many times both by the British as well as the Indian rulers. Com.AKG, who was in the forefront of the Independence struggle was in Cannanore Central Jail even on 15th August 1947, on the day India got Independence, even though almost all the freedom fighters who were in jail were released.

Comrade AKG could not tolerate injustice. Wherever and whenever he saw injustice, he jumped in to the struggle against the onslaught. There are any number of such struggles which AKG led and succeeded. It was the three great leaders, Coms. P.Krishna Pillai, E.M.S.Namboodiripad and AKG who built and strengthened the Communist Party in Kerala.

I had the opportunity to meet Comrade AKG several times and seek his guidance. During many of his visits to Calicut along with his wife, Com. Susheela Gopalan, who herself was a senior leader, Member of Parliament and later Minister in Kerala, I had the fortune to receive them at the Railway Station and to bring them to the house where they were to stay. One such time, AKG was ill and for many weeks he was not able to speak due to illness. Myself along with Com. M.Balasubramanian, the Dist. Secretary E.III Union, went to the Railway station and took him to the house of Advocate P.K.Kunhirama Poduval where they used to stay. After reaching Calicut, two senior doctors, Dr.CBC Warrier and Dr. N.S.Venugopalan checked him and stated that he was better. In fact AKG was able to speak bit by bit. That day the Confederation of Central Government Employees, of which I was the convener, had arranged a meeting in the Mudalakkulam maidan in connection with an All India strike next day. I very meekly asked the doctors whether I can request AKG to address the strike meeting. AKG immediately agreed and the doctors consented provided he would not speak more than five minutes. AKG agreed to the condition and it was decided that he will address the meeting.

The news that Com.AKG will address the meeting in the evening of the day spread like wildfire. Irrespective of party affiliation, people in thousands gathered at the maidan to hear Com.AKG, his first speech after several weeks. The meeting started in time and after welcome etc. Com.AKG was requested to address. He started speaking and the audience sat in pin-drop silence to hear their beloved leader. The stipulated period of five minutes was over, but he continued speaking. Then Com.Suseela Gopalan, who was also on the stage, reminded him the doctors’ advice. He laughed away the request, openly telling the public that he knew when to stop. All were very much worried. Then Com. M.K.Kelu (Keluettan), one of the senior most leader of the CPI(M) who was also present, openly requested him to stop his speech considering his health. The audience also in one voice supported the request. Then and then only, AKG stopped his speech, thanked all and sat down. Such was his love for the people who even in the face of severe illness could not stop interacting with them.

I remember another incident which again shows the tenacity of Com. AKG in fighting against all attacks on the working class. It was during the 1974 Railway Strike demanding Bonus. The strike was to start from 8th May but due to mass arrest of the leaders and workers and victimisation, it started two days earlier. The Central government met the strike with utmost cruelty and vengeance. Tens of thousands of workers were arrested and jailed. Railway Quarters were searched and even the family members were beaten and harassed not finding the striking workers. In many staff quarters water connection, electricity connection etc. were cut. In Calicut, the procession organized in support of the strike was attacked and people beaten and two news paper reporters also badly beaten and hospitalised. It was terror unleashed for the railway workers and their families.

It was at this time that Com. AKG along with Com. Suseela Gopalan arrived at Calicut. He was not at all well and the doctors advised complete rest. When I reported to him about the serious situation, he wanted to go to the railway quarters immediately. Though we tried to stop him going, he was adamant. We started for the Railway Colony. He stepped out from the car at the entry to the colony and told that we will walk. Com.A.Kunhiraman Nair, veteran NGO Union leader and some other comrades also reached by the time. We were about 6-7 people and led by Coms AKG and Suseela we started slowly walking in to the colony through the small road. Women and children who were alone in the houses saw AKG and started joining us. Within a few minutes, it became a jatha and culminated in the school premises inside the colony. By the time, police also came to the spot. Party comrades also reached. A loudspeaker was brought and Com.AKG started speaking. One police official, without knowing who it was speaking, came forward and threatened to arrest. AKG told him that ‘I am AKG and you can arrest me’. The poor policeman was dumbfounded and became silent. By that time, senior police officers came and the situation became normal. AKG spoke consoling the families of Railwaymen and told that nothing will happen to them, and also warned the police officers that he will come and sit there in dharna if the harassment continues. Within a few minutes the meeting was over after Com. Suseela Gopalan also addressed.After this incident, there was a halt to the harassment of the families in the colony.

It was his forceful speech along with that of Comrade Nath Pai and other opposition leaders in the Parliament against the victimisation of Central Government employees who participated in the historic July 1960 strike that compelled the Jawaharlal Nehru government to take back all the thousands of workers who were dismissed or suspended. It was the same in the case of the 1968 Strike victimisation. For vacating the victimisation, he fought inside and outside the Parliament, even attending many meetings in Kerala.

In all Indian Coffee Houses through out India, one can see the photo of Com. A.K.G. placed in a most prominent place inside, as a token of respect and thanks to the great leader who saved the Indian Coffee Houses and its workers, when the Govt decided to close them. Com. A.K.G. discussed with the Government and all these Coffee Houses were handed over to the co-operatives formed by the workers.

Com.AKG was one of the senior CPI(M) leaders who was not arrested and jailed during Emergency, being very sick. When he came to Calicut during the period myself and Com. N.Ramesh, then Divl. Secretary of E.III Union went to meet him. He was very tired and sick, but asked about the situation in Calicut. When we were returning, he told us ” your job is not to get arrested, but to continue the resistance work against the Emergency and safeguard your workers.” Probably he might have been hinting at my being taken in to custody by Special Branch and questioned for hours a few days back.

He was sick and was under treatment for many months. During this period Com. T.K.Karunan, then leader of Kozhikode Municipal Corporation Workers , came to my rented line house near Sreekandeswara Kshetram and handed over a letter stating that he had gone to meet AKG at Alappuzha hearing that he was not well. He told that Com.AKG was always his beloved leader,despite political difference. The letter was in the handwriting of Com. Suseela and signed by AKG. Whatever he commanded, was done immediately.

Com. AKG died on 22nd March 1977. The Congress party was rooted out in the election, but probably he might not have known the same as he was in coma. The news of the death of the dear leader was a shock to all. His body was brought to his home place in Kannur District. Through out the way in all district headquarters, thousands of people came to pay homage to their departed leader. The condolence meeting held at Kalliasseri was attended by more than ten thousand people. Along with some comrades, we also went there. Almost all the PB members were present. While speaking, Coms. E.K.Nayanar and Mrs. Kamalam broke in to tears and wept due to emotion and memories. Such was the close relation of Com. AKG to all whom he met.Every one who met him even once had the feeling that he specially cared for him. All those who came in contact will have many such incidents to remember. He was very close to all and was loved by all.

A.K.G.Bhawan in New Delhi, the Central Committee office of CPI(M), A.K.G.Centre, the State Committee office of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram and many party offices are named in honour of Com. A.K.G. I used to visit 4, Ashoka Road, New Delhi, where he stayed for many years as Member of Parliament, even after his departure, as it was there where many of us met him and presented our problems and difficulties for being taken in the Parliament. Still the name of 4, Ashoka Road brings many memories, though the bungalow has been vacated by CPI(M) after the elections in 1914. In fact, the govt should have maintained it as a memorial to AKG, a long time Opposition Leader of the Parliament.

BSNL Employees Union was formed on 22nd March 2001, on the 24th death anniversary of Com. A.K.G. It was not accidental, but a conscious decision.

My respectful homage to the memory of this great revolutionary and working class leader on his 43rd death anniversary!

RED SALUTE TO COM. AKG, COMMANDER OF THE PROLETARIAT!

National Convention of Trade Unions on 5th March 2019 at New Delhi

25 Monday Feb 2019

Posted by in BSNLEU, CG Employees, CITU

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A National Convention of Trade Unions will be held in the Constitution Club Annexe, Rafi Marg, New Delhi (within the campus of Mavalankar Hall ) 1.30 pm on 5th March 2019.

The Convention will review the 2 days national strike on 8-9 January 2019 called by the central trade unions and also decided future course of action. In addition to the delegates from the CTUs, delegates from CG Employees, State employees, PSU employees including BSNL employees and other delegates will participate. 20 delegates from BSNL will be participating.

Red Salute to Com. E.Balanandan on his 10th death anniversary!

19 Saturday Jan 2019

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Today, 19th January 2019, is the 10th death anniversary of Com. E.Balanandan, the veteran trade union leader, former President of CITU and PB Member of CPI(M).

His life was full of struggles for the working class and he himself had to suffer victimisation and many years in jail. Three times Member of Parliament(both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), MLA as also the President of the militant trade union, CITU, he was active till his death.

As to other trade unions and their leaders, Com. Sami, as he was affectionately called by comrades and friends, was also the guide and advisor of P and T, and BSNL employees trade union movement. The more than four decades of contact with him has been always been an inspiration to me and many others. During the crises that the telecom trade union movement had to face, he was always there to guide and help. His presence in the formation Conference of BSNLEU inspired all.

On his death anniversary, I pay respectful homage to Com. E.Balanandan!

Red Salute to Com. Balanandan!

TU Act 1926(Amendment) Bill anti-worker – CITU

03 Thursday Jan 2019

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The Centre of Indian Trade Unions denounced the unilateral move of the Govt of India to amend the Trade Union Act 1926 in the name of bringing about so called “transparency” and avoiding “duplicacy” as noted the press briefing by Union Cabinet.

But the text of the amendment, as available with the Central Trade Unions reveals the dubious intent of the Govt to usurp wide discretionary power with the Govt in the matter of recognition to central trade unions in total departure from existing mutually agreed practices being followed for last couple of decades, based on which verification of membership of central trade unions have been conducted number of times during last three decades. All the ten central trade unions jointly conveyed their opposition to the said Bill and also conveyed specific suggestions for changes on 10th August 2018. But none of the suggestions of the central trade unions has been accepted.

Central Trade Unions are confederations of the enterprise based registered trade union entities, which represent the workers in various tripartite or bipartite forums. Definition of the Central Trade Unions or eligibility of being considered as Central Trade Unions had already been unanimously formulated in joint meeting of the Central Trade Unions and the Union Labour Ministry on the basis of a minimum membership (to be jointly decided from time to time by similar joint meeting between the CTUOs and the Ministry of Labour & Employment) and spread over in four states. The proposed Amendment Bill has not deliberately incorporated this unanimously agreed formulation being followed from the very beginning and instead proposed “as may be prescribed” thereby usurping discretionary power with the Govt in the matter of procedure of recognition of central trade unions. Instead of so called “transparency” the Govt has been trying to retain arbitrary power in their hands in order to interfere in the trade union functioning. Already the dubious intent of the Govt stood thoroughly exposed in the manner the Govt has arbitrarily debarred the biggest central trade union in the country, Indian National Trade Union Congress(INTUC) representation in the tripartite committees including the Indian Labour Conference. All the ten central trade unions in the country opposed such proposal of the Govt.

Secondly, while the BJP Govt has been showing keenness in re-writing the procedure of recognizing central trade unions, they remain absolutely negative in making the employer mandatorily recognizing the trade unions at the enterprise level. As a result in many workplaces throughout the country, particularly in private sector, workers are being victimized only for forming their trade unions as had happened in Maruti-Suzuki in Manesar, Haryana and the latest of such incident has been in Yamaha in Tamilnadu. Numerous struggles are going on only on the demand of recognition of trade unions in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Rajasthan and other states. Existing law empowers the employer not to deal, if they like, with the trade union at the enterprise/workplace level, even if there is a single union. The entire trade union movement has been demanding since long the statutory provision of mandatory recognition of the trade unions at the enterprise level. But the proposed amendment bill totally ignored said long standing demands of the trade union movement thereby allowing their corporate masters to play ducks and drakes with the basic trade union rights of the workers.

The proposed Trade Union (Amendment) Bill 2018 as cleared by the Cabinet of Narendra Modi is the integral part of its package of so called “Labor Law Reforms” including the four code Bills repealing existing 44 labour laws, which is thoroughly designed with dubious articulation to impose conditions of slavery on the working people and totally abrogate trade union rights. All the trade unions in the country, barring the Govt-sponsored one led by RSS, rejected the proposed Bill with contempt it deserves and are determined to resist the pro-corporate changes in labour laws through united action. The working people of the country are going to demonstrate their contempt through the forth coming countrywide two days general strike on 8-9 January 2019 in a massive way.(Courtesy: Ganashakti)

MAY DAY GREETINGS FROM WFTU

27 Friday Apr 2018

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May Day 2018: With Internationalism and Solidarity!!
17 Apr 2018
1 MAY, MAY DAY

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) in the name of its more than 92 million affiliates all over the world salutes, on the occasion of this great day, all the workers who live, work and struggle in every corner of the world. May Day was, is and will be a beacon for the struggles of yesterday and tomorrow despite our enemies’ efforts. May Day has to be a message of resistance against bourgeoisie, imperialists and their international alliances’ policies.

At the same time, the workers’ blood which was shed in Chicago on 1886 reminds us of our duty today; it reminds us that nothing is given for free; every right or freedom that was conquered by our class has been won through sacrifices, conflicts and organized struggles.

Today, whilst technology and scientific progress have contributed to the increase of the produced social wealth, our class’ living conditions have been deteriorating. In every capitalist country, the bosses attack our class achievements: they are sweeping through salaries, pensions and social security; they are privatizing everything, they don’t hesitate to attack even the sacred right to strike! Strike is the most powerful weapon we have in our hands and we are not going to allow anyone to limit, confine or convert it to a dead letter!

At the same time, they are intensively preparing and conducting regional wars.They pave the way for new massacres that will maximize their profits, for new imperialist interventions that will destroy nations, spill peoples’ blood and deprive them of their natural resources. The ongoing imperialist intervention in Libya and Syria, the growing aggression against Venezuela, the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the massacre of Saudi Arabia against Yemen, the tension on the Korean peninsula, they are all indications that multinationals have smelled new profitability areas; and every time this goes through the dead bodies of workers.

Under the current conditions of the deep economic crisis of capitalism and intense competition among various imperialist centers to control new markets, our most powerful weapons are INTERNATIONALISM and SOLIDARITY. No worker must feel alone. All together, we must move on with Solidarity and Internationalism, building the Unity of the working class to give practical effect to Karl Marx’s motto “proletarians of all countries unite”.

In this context, and on this anniversary, the WFTU expresses its solidarity with our persecuted brothers, the immigrants and refugees, who either because of imperialists’ bullets or because of poverty and misery generated by this system, are forced to leave their homeland. The WFTU will continue to be on their side, fighting for a world without exploitation and refugees. Immigrants must become an integral part of unions, unite with local workers and fight together for wages, rights, against wars and interventions.

We join our voice with the heroic Palestinian people in order to gain their own independent and democratic homeland.

At the same time, we stand by the side of the struggling female worker, the one who suffers from double exploitation. The WFTU female members, at the recent World Women’s Congress in Panama, declared loud and clear that they want equal rights to work, society and life. The WFTU also fights and will continue to fight for this equality. It’s the same orientation that we follow for the the youngsters, as the new generation of workers have the task to honor the best May Day struggle traditions.

This year, the WFTU, by giving its hand to anyone who has stood up, has announced the year of trade union education and training. Our purpose is that the new shifts of workers be insubordinate, militant, enemies of class compromise and collaboration. We honor the year of trade union training and we call on every union to contribute to the militant truth, revealing the true meaning of May Day and the sacrifices the working class made for it. By rescuing the past, the very memory of our movement, we leave a legacy for tomorrow’s struggles and we also have a tool for the future. It is a duty to know the history of our movement.

The WFTU takes steps forward, strengthens and grows: and that’s what frightens our opponents. There is no other way than to make it present everywhere, in every corner of the world, so that there is no longer a hungry, dismissed, hunted or persecuted worker. The WFTU must be a “trench” of struggle for a future without exploitation of man by man. This is how the vision of the first Secretary General of the WFTU, Luis Saillant, envisioned in 1945 will be brought to life: “The WFTU for the workers of the whole world!”

LONG LIVE MAY DAY!

CITU General Council started at Kozhikode

24 Saturday Mar 2018

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The CITU General Council has started at Kozhikode on 23rd March 2018 which will continue up to 26th.The Presidential Speech was delivered by Dr. Hemalatha, President and the Report was submitted by the General Secretary, Com. Tapan Sen, M.P. The General Council strongly opposed the new notification by the Central government on making all appoints as term appointments and called upon the workers to protest the same. Solidarity actions will be organised on 2nd April through out the country on which day the Trade Unions in Kerala have called for a strike against the new attack on the working class. The Council is attended by 460 delegates. The Reception Committee led by Com. Elamaram Karim, General Secretary CITU Kerala has all arrangements for the conduct of the council.

CITU General Council at Kozhikode from 23rd March.

22 Thursday Mar 2018

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General Council meeting of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) will begin on Friday (March 23, 2018) at historic port city of Kozhikode in Northern coast of Kerala. A galaxy of leaders of revolutionary trade unions reached in the city to design the future course of struggles. The meeting will begin with the flag hoisting and the formal opening of four day session with the address of CITU president Dr. K Hemalatha at the venue christened as Muhammed Amin Nagar arranged in Tagore Centenary Hall, Kozhikode.
The General Council meeting gets significance as the central government announces its decision to eliminate regular employment.
After the Presidential address, General Secretary Tapan Sen will present the report. A separate session will be held to update 25 year old Bhubaneshwar document on organization. The Bhubaneshwar document was adopted by General Council held in 1993 at Bhubaneshwar. On the basis of 25 years’ experience and lessons the document will be discussed thoroughly to incorporate new strategies to reach out the unreachable sections of working class.
The council would discuss the central government’s disastrous move to weaken the unity of worker the help of communal and caste forces.
Kozhikode, a city has rich heritage of historic labour and peasant struggle hosts the CITU general Council after the gap of 17 years. The working class in the district is fully engaged with the reception committee to make the meeting a grand success. Seminars of various subjects held in connection with general council attracted thousands of workers and common people from all walks of life.
A huge workers’ rally will be held in Kozhikode beach on 26th of March. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the rally. CITU president Dr. K Hemalatha, General Secretary Tapan Sen, vice president A K Padmanabhan, state president Anathalavattam Anandan, General secretary Elamaram Kareem will address.
Dr. Hemalatha inaugurated a seminar JAN EKTA, JAN PRATIRODH, JAN ANDOLAN, on 22-03-2018 held in Kozhikode in connection with CITU general council. (Courtesy: Ganashakti)

Comrade Mohamed Amin passed away

12 Monday Feb 2018

Posted by in CITU, Obituary, Tributes

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With extreme sorrow and grief it is intimated that Comrade Mohamed Amin, former General Secretary of CITU and  PB Member of the CPI(M) passed away at Kolkata today, 12th  February 2018. He was 89. He was suffering due to ill health for some time.

Comrade Mohd. Amin started his career as a jute mill worker at the age of 14 and became an active trade union worker. He rose from that position to higher responsibility in the trade union.

Com. Mohd. Amin was a founder member of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions and became its secretary in 1987. He was elected as the General Secretary, which post he held from 2007 to 2010.  He was a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha during the periods 1988-94 as also 2007-2013. He was also Labour Minister in the W.Bengal Government for two terms. He was  elected as a Member of the Polit Bureau of CPI(M).

During his tenure as CITU General Secretary and M.P. he was  stationed at Delhi and was a great help to BSNLEU and guided the organisation on the right path and took up many issues in the Parliament for settlement. He attended the CEC meetings of the union held at Delhi  in July 2008, at Kolkata in November 2008, at Mysore in August 2009 and at Bhopal in February 2010 and gave valuable advice. He was always a source of strength to the organisation.

He was well versed in Urdu and his wrote many books. I read his  book on the life of Com. Hyder Amir Khan, one of the founders of the Communist Party in India, in one reading without stopping, as it was so much thrilling and narrated the hard experiences of the earlier communists. After consulting Com. Amin, on my suggestion, Com.R.S.Yadav, former Circle secretary BSNLEU of U.P. Circle translated in to Hindi and was shown to Com. Prakash Karat, the General secretary of CPI(M).

At the time of his death, he was a special invitee to the Central Committee of CPI(M).

AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF express deep sorrow at the demise of veteran leader Com. Mohd. Amin and convey condolences to the bereaved family, friends and comrades!

 

 

 

Reception to leaders going to attend Mahapadav

30 Monday Oct 2017

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A warm reception was accorded in the evening of 30th October to the delegates of the various central trade unions and service associations at Calicut going to attend the Maha Dharna at New Delhi on 9-11 November 2017. All the CTUs and service associations attended in large numbers. The Dharna is being organised on the demands of the workers and against the anti-worker policies of the government.

Through out the country full preparations are going on for the successful holding of the dharna. It will  be organised in the Parliament Street itself.