Category Archives: Forum

VRS for BSNL and MTNL Employees ?

13 Thursday Aug 2015

Posted by in Forum, General, PSU

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It seems that certain manias of government never end. It is now about Voluntary Retirement Scheme in BSNL and MTNL. While VRS was implemented thrice in MTNL, the staff unions in BSNL strongly opposed it and never allowed VRS to take place in the company. Every time, the government had to go back on the scheme due to the mighty opposition and struggles of the unions under the leadership of the Forum, the umbrella organisation.

 

Once again, the central government, now NDA is taking the old proposal from its store. The proposal as per press reports  target  about 70,000 – 1,00,000 employees in BSNL. We have told and proved with examples in other PSUs, that VRS always have been bad for the service and the PSU itself. But a government, which is pro-private and is not interested in the growth of PSU,  may again try to implement VRS, making it a CRS (Compulsory Retirement Scheme).

The government is to be told emphatically, that the BSNL employees and their unions will never allow any  VRS in BSNL which is against the interest of the workers, the service and the country itself.

Have you started the Post Card Campaign ? If not, start it immediately.

11 Tuesday Aug 2015

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Forum

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The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has taken a very appropriate decision to send a post card by each and every employee addressed to Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Communications Minister, demanding immediate steps for the revival of BSNL. It was only due to the anti-BSNL decisions and policy of both the UPA and NDA Governments that BSNL has started posting loss for the last few years and the service has gone down. It is the responsibility of the government to restore it to its glorious past. The employees under the leadership of Forum are taking every step to ensure financial viability of BSNL and better service to the customers. Due to this, the service has improved and the losses are marginally coming down for the last two years. But it is only through support from the government the process could be expedited.

Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad continuously declares that he will not allow BSNL and MTNL to die and that the government will give all assistance to BSNL and MTNL.  Words have to be followed by action, which is missing. Leave alone liberal assistance, even what is due to BSNL is not being paid. Rs. 1,250 crore which is due to BSNL in lieu of ADC for 2012-13, though approved, is yet to be paid. Rs. 4,460 crore, the balance of refund of the spectrum ( after adjusting Rs. 2,000 crore towards Licence Fee) is yet to be paid. Only Rs. 169.16 crore alone is approved by the Cabinet, recently. Great injustice is being done towards BSNL by the government.

The employees also are very much agitated that the Communications Minister, since he has taken over charge, has not met the Forum leaders even once, despite several requests, even after the strike Notice was served.

It is in this context that the Forum has decided to organise the Post Card Campaign from 10th to 22nd August 2015, by sending Post Cards to the Minister demanding immediate action for the revival of BSNL. Each and every employee, whether executive or non-executive, should write with his signature and address and post the same during this period of 13 days.

It may not be out of place to mention one thing. Unless the decision is completely implemented, the full power of the unions / associations can not be shown to the Government. The SSA/Branch Secretaries should ensure that the Post Card is sent by each and every employee. In the case of those on leave also, the same should be ensured. The CHQs of the unions/ associations need to be informed about the number of post cards dispatched, so that the exact number could be ascertained. This is part of the organisational activity, which every member has a responsibility to implement.

The Campaign is for the defence of the BSNL and its workers. It is for a better service to the customers. Each and every employee should be part of this campaign for the Revival of BSNL.

 

Revival of BSNL – Post Card Campaign 10 -22 August 2015

07 Friday Aug 2015

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News, BSNLEU, Forum

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Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has decided to organise a Post Card campaign from 10th to 22nd August 2015 on the issue of revival of BSNL.

The Posts Cards are to be addressed to “Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Communications Minister, Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Ashoka Road, New Delhi -110001” with the following content:

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

The name, designation and station of the employees should be mentioned. The address, the content and the name of the employee – all should be hand-written. The intention is that all the 2.25 lakh employees should be party to this massive campaign and pressurise the Government to take immediate action for the revival of BSNL. The campaign can be planned in many ways by organising GB meetings, meeting each and every employee, issuing pamphlets, press releases etc. etc. This is part of the Save BSNL Campaign.

The Government should be waken up from its slumber and compelled to take necessary action for the Revival of BSNL as demanded by the Forum in its Charter of Demands earlier.

Shift anti-worker CGM – No other option to save Kerala BSNL Circle

07 Friday Aug 2015

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU, Forum

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The CCLU workers as well BSNL employees in Kerala are on struggle for the last one month. The complete strike by the casual contract workers and Hunger Strike by the leaders of BSNLEU and SNEA against vindictiveness of and victimisation by CGM Kerala is continuing for the last four days almost paralysing the BSNL services. While the CCLU is on strike for better wages and upgradation from unskilled to skilled category as also for implementation of the strike agreement made earlier,  the employees are on agitation against victimisation and harassment of leaders and workers of the unions. Any sensible management would have discussed the issues with the unions and found a settlement. Despite one month of struggle, no worthwhile discussion has taken place.

The assurances given by the Communications Minister to the Kerala M.P.s as well as the assurances given by the CMD to the leaders of BSNLCCWF, BSNLEU and SNEA are not honoured by the CGM Kerala. Shri MSS Rao, CGM Kerala is acting beyond his powers and has already made the entire employees against him by his arrogant and anti-workers decisions. We do not know, whether he is acting in such a way as to help the private companies and sabotage the services to the people so that the one circle, which has always been profitable is also made in to loss.

The workers and the trade unions in Kerala can not allow such a situation. It is a circle which has sent out such arrogant bureaucrats in the past, whether they were in P and T, AGs Office or elsewhere. We usually do not demand for the transfer of an officer. But now, he has crossed every limit and there is no other way except that the present CGM should be packed and sent out of Kerala, if the circle is to be saved. The Minister and CMD should ensure that he is transferred immediately from the circle. Nothing less than that is acceptable to the workers.

We demand the Minister and the CMD to immediately transfer Shri MSS Rao, CGM from Kerala Circle to outside.

Forum calls for protest demonstration on 12th August against formation of Tower Company – BSNLCCWF will also participate.

06 Thursday Aug 2015

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU, Forum

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Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has called upon the BSNL employees to organise massive protest demonstrations on 12th August 2015 opposing the approval of the union cabinet to separate the BSNL towers, numbering about 65,000 in to a separate company bifurcating BSNL. The decision of the Cabinet stating that this will improve financial viability is nothing but a clever move to weaken the BSNL by reducing its revenue from the existing towers. The decision of the Forum to express its protest is in time.

BSNLCCWF calls upon its units to join the demonstrations on 12th August along with BSNL employees.

Protest Cabinet decision to form Tower Company, bifurcating BSNL

06 Thursday Aug 2015

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It is reported that the Central Cabinet in its meeting on 5th August 2015 has decided to form a Tower Company, separating the tower section of BSNL. This is one of the recommendations of the Deloittee Committee and which has been strongly opposed by the Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations. In the two days strike on 21-22 April 2015 called by the Forum, one of the demands was that the proposal to form a Tower Company should be dropped.

BSNL has got about 75,000 towers which will be handed over to the new company along with a few officers and staff. The new company may be financially viable, but the the revenue of BSNL will come down drastically making its revival difficult. The Modi government wants to seal the fate of BSNL as the earlier BJP government has sealed the fate of VSNL by gifting it to Tata. There is no VSNL now, only Tata Communications. We can not allow such a fate for BSNL.

Strong protest action is required to put a stop to this Cabinet decision. BSNL workers under the Forum have stopped Disinvestment of and VRS in BSNL through continuous and mighty struggles. Now it is the turn against the formation of the Tower Company. Any delay will be dangerous for the revival of BSNL.

Modi Government Dishonours Assurances – Betrayal to BSNL

06 Thursday Aug 2015

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News, BSNLEU, Forum

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It is reported that the Cabinet yesterday has decided to grant Rs. 169.16 crores to BSNL, as part of the refund for the BMW Spectrum surrendered by BSNL. BSNL surrendered the spectrum years back and the more than Rs. 4,700 are to be paid to BSNL for the same after the DOT has arbitrarily adjusted about Rs. 2,000 crore towards licence Fee to be paid by BSNL. The Communications Minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad has been continuously declaring that financial assistance will be given to BSNL for revival, but what happens is that even the legitimate refund is not being paid. Is it that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not hearing Communication Minister or the the latter himself is against assisting the BSNL? Any way, the losers are BSNL, the employees and the public. The double face of the Modi Government is exposed fully, which only wants the MNCs and Corporates to grab maximum profits.

Rs. 1,250 crores already allotted for the financial year 2012-13 in lieu of ADC for BSNL is yet to be paid despite assurance from the DOT after the two days April Strike.

The Forum and BSNLEU will continue their sustained struggle for getting justice to BSNL and its workers. THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE WORKERS FOR GRANTED. THEY WILL FIGHT BACK FOR SURVIVAL!

Subsidiary Tower Company from BSNL? – We have serious reservations

20 Monday Jul 2015

Posted by in Forum

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It is reported in the press that CMD BSNL has stated that the proposal for subsidiary Tower Company, hived off from BSNL, is awaiting decision of the government. it is also reported that by hiving off towers, an amount of about Rs. 20,000 crore can be collected, but the same will be with the new company.

Workers have got very serious reservation on this proposal.It will seriously and adversely affect BSNL.

Before any final decision is taken, discussion with the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations should be conducted and their opinion considered.

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 ( 31 )

18 Saturday Jul 2015

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2015

Notice  for two days  strike on 21-22 April 2015 served on 12-03-2015

The notice for strike from 21 to 22 April 2015 was served on the BSNL Management and Secretary, DOT, on 12-03-2015 after a mighty demonstration in front of the Corporate Office. Demonstrations were held in Circles/SSAs  also on the same day.

The Strike  notice was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum, P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), C.Singh (NFTE & President Forum), K.Sebastin (SNEA(I), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), K.Jayaprakash(NUBSNLW(FNTO), R.C.Pandey (BTEU), Suresh Kumar(BSNLMS), R.Venkatraman(TEPU), H.P.Singh(BSNLOA), Anoop Mukherjee(SNATTA), R.P.Sahu(AIGETOA), Rakesh Sethi(AIBSNLOA), R.K.Ram(BTUBSNL), Rana Pratap (BEA BSNL) and R.Raveendran (SEWA BSNL).

Parliament March on 25th March 2015 on Revival of BSNL

The Parliament March which was decided to be held on 19th December 2014 has been postponed to  25th March 2015.  Almost all the state level conventions were held effectively and with massive participation of employees and addressed by Forum all India leaders. Lakhs of signatures from the people were collected demanding the government to take necessary action for Revival of BSNL.

The Parliament March on 25th March 2015 started from the BSNL Corporate Office premises. The leaders of the Forum walked behind the big banner of FORUM  with Parliament March printed on it. Thousands of workers participated with banners and flags of all the unions/associations. Though the police had denied permission, the March went through Janpath, Tolstoy Marg and Jantar Mantar. When it reached near the Parliament Street, the march was stopped by the police with barricades, where a rally was held.

The rally was presided by Com. C.Singh GS NFTE & President Forum. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum welcomed all and congratulated the workers and leaders for the massive participation and presented the demands of the workers. The Meeting was addressed by Com. Tapan Sen, MP & General secretary CITU, Shri Vrijesh Upadhyay, General Secretary, BMS, Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra, General Secretary, AIRF, Com. Amarjit Kaur, Secretary, AITUC and Dr. Dharam Vir Gandhi, M.P. (AAP). The rally was also addressed by Coms.P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA), K.Sebastin(SNEA(I), R.C.Pandey (BTEU), K.Jayaprakash(NUBSNLW(FNTO), Suresh Kumar(BSNLMS), R.Venkatraman(TEPU), Hari Singh(BTU) and others.

A Delegation consisting of Comrades C.Singh, President Forum and GS NFTE, V.A.N.Nambodiri Convener  Forum, P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), K.Sebastin(SNEA(I) and Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA) went and submitted the Memorandum  to the Prime Minister’s office.

The Parliament March was a big success in all respects. The workers and leaders of BSNL Unions/Associations deserved much appreciation for the same.

Meeting with CMD BSNL was held on 17th April 2015. Since most of the items were to be decided to be settled by the DOT no agreement could be reached in the meeting.

 Mighty Two Days Strike on 21-22 April 2015

The discussion with CMD BSNL could not result in any settlement since most of the issues were to be settled with the DOT. The Secretary DOT did not call the Forum for a meeting to discuss the strike issues. Though a call was received in the late evening of 20th April for a meeting immediately, it could not take place since the General Secretaries were not available since all  were in strike preparation.

The strike started from 00.00 hours on 20/21st April and continued till 00.00 hours on 22/23 April 2015. The strike was a complete success with almost 100% in many places. In many circles the entire offices and exchanges stood closed and deserted without any employee attending. Huge demonstrations were organized in front of offices by the striking employees. The Casual and contract workers as per the call of the BSNLCCWF also struck work on both the days. As per call of AIBDPA, BSNL – DOT Pensioners participated in the demonstrations and gave solidarity and support. Central Trade Unions like CITU, AITUC, BMS, INTUC and others also supported.  AIRF, AIIEA, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers, BEFI,  NFPE, AISGEF and other Federations of employees also gave full support and extended solidarity.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, met many Members of Parliament and briefed them about the demands raised in the strike and requested that these may be raised in the Parliament. The Forum is much thankful that the following Members of Parliament, Comrades Sankar Prasad Datta, Jitendra Choudhary ( both from Tripura), P.Karunakaran (leader of CPI(M) in Lok Sabha), P.K.Biju, A.Sampath, P.K.Sreemathi(all from Kerala) who raised in the zero hour in the Parliament on 22st April the issues of strike by the BSNL workers and the demands and demanded intervention by the government. Some of these M.P.s addressed letters to the Communications Minister. (To be continued)

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 ( 30 )

17 Friday Jul 2015

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Contribution to J&K Relief Fund

There was heavy rain and unprecedented floods in Kashmir in September 2014 killing hundreds of people and destroying houses and every thing. For days, Srinagar was submerged including government offices and even hospitals. Such a disaster, Kashmir never saw. The Forum Meeting held on 12-09-2014 decided to contribute one day basic pay for the Kashmir Relief Fund and addressed the BSNL Management to deduct it from the salary and pay to the relief Fund. This was done.

Memorandum to the Members of Parliament

As per decision of the Forum, a Memorandum was prepared to be given to the Members of Parliament explaining the requirement of BSNL and to take up the issue with the government. This was circulated to the Circle/District Secretaries asking them to  meet  the MPs of their constituency requesting them to take up with the Central Government.

Programmes of Action demanding Revival of BSNL

The financial position was deteriorating. For continuous four years BSNL has posted loss. Equipments are not procured due to lack of funds. The issues of the  workers are not being settled in the name of loss. Despite continued efforts of the Forum and the unions/associations, neither the government nor the management was taking any action to improve the situation. Continuous meetings of the Forum were held in December 2014 and decision was taken to organize sustained struggle including indefinite strike for  making compulsions on the government and management to take necessary immediate actions for the revival of BSNL.

  1. A Demands Day to be observed on 11th December 2014.
  2. Massive Campaign for 10 days from 11th to 20 th December 2014 by meeting the public, MPs, MLAs, Trade Unions etc. seeking support for our demands
  3. One crore signatures to be obtained from the Public in support of the demands addressed to the Prime Minister
  4. Parliament March on 19th December 2014 with massive participation on which date the Signatures will be presented to the Prime Minister.
  5. 3 days dharna on 6-8 January 2015.
  6. Indefinite Strike from 3rd February 2015.

The meeting of the Forum held on 5th December 2014 felt that more time is required for the Signature Campaign and other programmes to be organized successfully. It was also decided that state level conventions should be held in order to mobilize the workers for the indefinite strike. The General Secretaries should jointly participate in these conventions. The Forum should be formed in circles where it has not been formed so far. Such Conventions were held successfully with massive  participation. The Date of the Parliament March was also postponed for sufficient preparations, including reservation of tickets from far away places.

The Forum contacted all the unions of executives and non-executive unions in BSNL and called upon them to be party in this great struggle for the Revival of BSNL and SAVE BSNL-SAVE NATION Campaign.

19 meetings of the Forum were held in 2014 which took important decisions and implemented effectively.(To be continued)