Category Archives: TU News

The Historical Strike of 19th January 1981- Indian workers started the struggle 30 years back

18 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by in TU News - India, Uncategorized

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The senior leaders and workers of the trade unions in India will be remembering the first historical successful general strike which was organised on 19th January 1982, 30 years back. It was indeed historical. The call was given by the National Campaign Committee of Central Trade Unions and All India Federations.

The Historic One Day General Strike of 19th January 1982.

The massive strike of the Indian working class on 19th January 1982, 30 years back, was indeed historical. It was for the first time that after a very long period that the Central Trade Unions came together under the banner of National Campaign Committee to raise the genuine issues of the workers and common people and continued sustained struggles

Working People’s National Convention in Bombay

As per the decisions of the Central Trade Unions’ meeting held at New Delhi on 23rd March 1981, a National Convention of Working People was held at Bombay on 4th June 1981. Delegates from all over India participated in large numbers. In addition to the Central Trade Unions, representatives from the All India Federations of government employees, Public Sector employees and others participated. The representatives from undivided National Federation of P&T Employees also participated (NFPTE was bifurcated as NFPE and NFTE after the Calcutta Federal council in 1986). Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan,  former circle Secretary of E.III Kerala and other delegates participated from Kerala. The Convention was addressed by Central TU leaders, Com. P.Ramamurthy (CITU), Indrajit Gupta (AITUC), D.P.Thengdi (BMS), S.S.Dara (INTUC) and others. It was also addressed by Coms. S.K.Vyas (Confederation),N.J.Iyer (NFPTE) and other leaders of  All India federations. The Convention unanimously adopted the following 13 points Charter of Demands.

Charter of demands

  1. Sale of all essential commodities such as food grains, edible oils, cloth, sugar, etc. at subsidised prices through a net work of shops in a comprehensive public distribution system under the control and supervision of popular committees.
  2. Remunerative prices to the peasants and guaranteed supply of inputs.
  3. Enactment and implementation of legislation to guarantee a minimum living wage and job security for agricultural workers.
  4. Stringent measures against black-marketeers, hoarders and smugglers, speculators and officers protecting them.
  5. Repeal of the National Security Act 1980 and the Essential Services Maintenance Act 1981
  6. Need-based Minimum Wage for the working class on the basis of the norms laid down by the 15th Indian Labour Conference.
  7. Full neutralisation of the rise in the cost of living and removal of the ceiling of Rs. 1.30 per point rise in the price index (1960 base) arbitrarily fixed by the bureau of Public Enterprise.
  8. Amendment to the Payment of Bonus Act providing bonus to all workers without ceiling or precondition
  9. Ban on retrenchment and closures, introduction of unemployment allowance to the unemployed.
  10. Withdrawal of all victimisation measures against trade union workers and activists.
  11. Rectification of fraudulent Cost of Living Indices.
  12. Recognition of Trade Unions on the basis of secret ballot.
  13. Full guarantee of collective bargaining and trade union rights.

The following programmes of action were also planned:

  1. A day’s token strike on 19th January 1982.
  2. In preparation thereof, State/Region wise Conventions should be held. It should be followed by demonstrations and rallies.
  3. On 23rd November 1981, there should be a March before Parliament in New Delhi
  4. In preparation for the mass rally a day to be observed on 3rd November  1981 by holding rallies all over India.

Black Day on 17th August 1981

In preparation for the sustained struggle, eight Central Trade Unions jointly issued a call to observe 17th August 1981, the day on which the monsoon session of Parliament was to start, as Black Day by holding demonstrations etc.  This was implemented successfully.

Parliament March on 23rd November 1981

The Parliament March was a complete success.  The Boat Club was completely filled by the participants who have come from all parts of the country. More than 10 lakh delegates participated. Central TU leaders addressed the March. The Charter of demands was presented to the Government by the leaders.

This was the first time that such a large number of workers, including agricultural workers, participated in an All India programme. Trade Unions of various colours and ideology joined together to defend and protect the interests of the workers including the agricultural workers. This was the harbinger of many such struggles in the future.

All India Conference of AITE Union Class III at Calcutta.

The All India Conference of AITE Union Class III, an affiliate of the NFPTE, was held at Calcutta from 29th December 1981 to 1st January 1982. Com. Indrajit Gupta, M.P., and veteran leader of AITUC inaugurated the AIC and called upon the workers to participate in the strike. The house was in full support of the call. A resolution for participation in the strike was moved by the progressive section in the AIC. But Com. O.P.Gupta, General Secretary of the union, did not agree. Despite strong protests from the majority of workers, he announced the decision to go on strike ‘wherever possible’. It was a ploy for non-participation. There was a walk-out from the house protesting against such a decision. The progressive section declared that they will participate in the strike. Com.O.P.Gupta again ensured a similar decision in the NFPTE. But the leadership of Comrades N.J.Iyer and   K.Adinarayana declared that their unions will go on strike. In the Confederation of Central Government Employees also it was decided to go on strike. The leadership of O.P.Gupta and similar other leaders were not prepared for a common struggle of the working class. Their final decision was to organise demonstrations on the day, instead of strike.

The Historic Strike

The strike was a great success all over the country. In Kerala, W.Bengal etc. the strike was full success, even in P&T. All India Radio and newspapers were used by the government to unleash offensive against the striking workers.  In many places, Congress workers were used against the strike and to bring blacklegs to the offices. INTUC did not strike despite its participation in the convention. The success of the strike, despite the ESMA, shocked the government.

Victimisation

In the P&T,  victimisation took place in some places like Kerala. Comrade N.J.Iyer wrote in his “Panorama of P&T Trade Union Movement”, “ V.A.N.Namboodiri, Circle Secretary, E.III, Calicut , M.P.Kunhanandan, Assistant Circle Secretary and K.Damodaran, Branch Secretary were issued Rule 14 charge sheets besides dies-non and break-n-services”  in connection with the strike.  Later in connection with the struggle against victimisation and against unjustified rotational transfers, the entire Circle Working Committee members of Calicut were transferred out the District, and this writer, who was the Circle Secretary, was transferred to Lakshadweep. Dies-non for 35 months was issued against the writer, who refused to join at Kavaratti Islands, as per the decision of the Union. At last as per High Court Orders, the transfer was cancelled.

Martyrs

In Tamil Nadu, three agricultural workers became martyrs of the strike at the hands of the state government. Memorial for them was constructed for them.

Looking Back

After thirty years, when we are looking back and remembering the strike, we can see the sea of change that has taken place. Many strikes of the working class took place as per the call of the National campaign Committee, Platform of Mass Organisations etc. 19 nationwide strikes, almost one every year, have taken place after 1991, after the implementation of the neo-liberalisation policy by the central government. Unity of the central trade unions for joint struggle against the anti-worker, anti-people policy of the central government has strengthened after the INTUC as also BMS joined the main stream of struggles.

The last two years have seen the united and sustained struggles of the working class like Rasta roko, Parliament March etc. under the leadership of the central trade unions.

Towards the One Day Nationwide Strike of 28th February 2012

The Central Trade Unions have given a call for a one day nationwide strike on 28th February 2012 on the 10 Points Charter of Demands which has been welcomed by the entire working class. Efforts are being made to make it a complete success. State level conventions are being held to propagate the demands and to make the strike a success. The Public Sector Unions have held a successful convention on 13th January 2012 at Bangalore and have decided to make the strike a complete success.

In the BSNL, BSNLEU, NFTE, FNTO, BTEU, TEPU etc. have already decided to go on strike. The meeting of the Joint Action Committee of BSNL Associations/Unions of Executives and Non-Executives is expected to take a positive decision in its meeting to be held on 19th January 2012 for participation in the strike.

Let the memory of the historic strike on 19th January 1981 give more and more inspiration in our future struggles. Let us March ahead to a successful strike on 28th February 2012!

Demonstrations in front of White House by ‘Occupy Wall Street’ Protestors

18 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by in TU News - International

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Thousands of ‘Occupy Wall Street’ protestors demonstrated in front of White House, the official residence of the President  of the United States  in Washington continuing their protests against inequality, unemployment and other issues on which they had been continuing their agitation. It is also reported that in between, a smoke bomb was hurled at the white house by unknown people.

The US government has so far kept silence on the incidents.

DPE issued orders on IDA w.e.f. 01-01-2012

16 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in PSU, TU News - India, Uncategorized

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Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) today issued orders increasing IDA rates on revised  Pay/Pension by 4.7% w.e.f. 01.01.2012 to 56.7% vide order No. F.No.2(70)/2008-DPE (WC) – GL -1/2012 dated 16-01-2012. BSNL is yet to issue the orders.

Central Trade Unions’ meeting with Finance Minister on Budget proposals.

16 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in TU News - India

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The Central Trade unions  met the Finance Minister today, 16th January and demanded  for a worker-oriented budget aimed at generating employment opportunities and removing poverty.

In their customary pre-budget meeting with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the representatives of trade unions suggested the government should come out with more social security initiatives and take steps to strengthen public sector undertakings.

National Trade Unions CITU, AITUC, BMS, INTUC, HMS, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC, LPF and SEWA- submitted the following memorandum for the pre-budget consultation.

To

The Hon’ble Minister of Finance
Govt of India
New Delhi

Sir,

We thank you for inviting the Central Trade Union Organisations for the pre-budget consultations. We hope that our suggestions will be taken up with all seriousness and will find appropriate reflection in the forthcoming budget.

We are seriously concerned about the situation of the country’s economy in the present global scenario. We are afraid the seriousness has not been truly reflected in the note on “State of Indian Economy”, sent by MOF to us. In the midst of acute agrarian distress, unacceptable levels of inflation leading to sky rocketing prices, huge job losses, mounting unemployment, there is an urgent need to revisit these areas of concern which has been glossed over in the note. For example the note deals with GDP growth since 2005 in two and half pages without mentioning a word about employment growth during this period. For a proper assessment of actual impact of the economic growth on the people, the employment data should be released every quarter along with estimate of GDP which will show how most of the gains of GDP growth is being wholly appropriated by the employers/investors leaving common masses high and dry. We urge upon you to initiate suitable mechanism to bring in public domain the actual linkage of employment growth with GDP growth for realistic assessment of the state of economy.

We further urge that the coming budget should be people-oriented addressing the issues of poverty, unemployment and social infrastructure. We place here our specific proposals with this end in view.

• Take effective measures to arrest the spiraling price rise and contain inflation; Ban speculative forward trading in commodities; Universalise and strengthen the Public Distribution System; Rationalise the tax/duty/cess on petroleum products as a part of anti inflationary measure.
• In view of huge job losses and mounting unemployment problem, the ban on recruitment in Govt deptts., PSUs and autonomous institutions should be lifted as recommended by 43rd Session of Indian Labour Conference (ILC).
• All stimulus packages to the corporates must be made conditional to ban retrenchment, VRS, lay-off, closures, wage-cut etc. and to create employment.
• The massive workforce engaged in ICDS, Mid-day meal scheme, Vidya volunteers, Guest Teachers, Siksha Mitra etc. be regularised and the workers engaged in the Accredited Social Health Activities (ASHA) are brought under the coverage of statutory minimum wage and social security. Universalisation of ICDS be done as per Supreme Court directions by making adequate budgetary allocations.
• The scope of MGNREGA be extended to urban areas as well and employment for minimum period of 200 days with guaranteed statutory wage is provided, as unanimously recommended by 43rd Session of ILC.
• Steps are taken for removal of all restrictive provisions based on poverty line in respect of eligibility coverage of the schemes under the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act 2008 and allocation of adequate resources for the National Fund for Unorganised Worker (as fixed percentage of GDP) to provide for Social Security to 43.5 crore unorganized sector workers including the contract/casual and migrant workers in line with the recommendations of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour and also the 43rd Session of ILC.
• Public investment must be increased for creation of assets and decent employment. For the purpose, the public sector units should be strengthened and expanded. Disinvestment of shares of public sector units should be stopped forthwith and their huge reserve and surplus of more than Rs. 6 lakh crore be used for rehabilitation of sick CPSUs and modernization and expansion of other CPSUs. CPSUs are having average debt equity ratio of 0.75:1 as compared to 2.3:1 in private sector, PSUs should be allowed to have more access to debt market of banks and FIs instead of resource mobilization in equity market through disinvestment
• The financial sector, including Banks & Insurance which stood the test of time even during the recent global melt down should be encouraged, enlarged and improved instead of imposing the so called reforms which will adversely affect them and weaken their public sector character. The proposed move of Banking and Insurance and Pension Reforms to be stopped forthwith. Industrial houses should not be permitted to start banking operations.
• Requisite budgetary support for addressing crisis in traditional sectors like Jute, Textiles, Plantation, Handloom and Coir etc.
• Budgetary provision for elementary education should be increased, particularly in the context of the implementation of the right to education as this is the most effective tool to combat child labour.
• Ongoing export of raw materials/mineral resources should be restricted and strictly monitored either directly or through appropriate fiscal instrument to promote value addition and consequent employment generation domestically. In particular, iron-ore export should be banned and domestic steel makers should be allotted captive blocks on a preferential basis.
• The system of computation of Consumer Price Index should be reviewed as the present index is causing heavy financial losses to the workers. The revision of DA should of done every three months instead of six months.
• EPF rate on interest to be enhanced in view of high inflation and as a part of social security. Threshold limit of 20 employees in EPF Scheme be brought down to 10 as recommended by CBT-EPF. Pension benefits under EPS unilaterally curtailed by the Govt. should be restored. Govt. and Employers’ contribution be increased to allow sustainability of Employees Pension Scheme and for provision of reasonable minimum pension as recommended by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour. The interest rate on SDS (Special Deposit Scheme) be raised to 9.5% to begin with.
• Assured Pension for all
• Universal coverage of all employments under Minimum Wage Act and fixation of statutory minimum wage not less than Rs 10,000/- per month with indexation
• Removal all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund; Increasing the quantum of gratuity.
• No Contractorisation and outsourcing of work of permanent / perennial nature. Till the contractorisation is abolished payment of wages and benefits to such workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of the industry/establishment
• Income Tax exemption ceiling for the salaried persons should be raised Rs. 3 lakh per annum and fringe benefits like housing, medical and educational facilities should be exempted from the income tax net in totality.
• Entry of MNCs and big corporate in retail trade be prohibited.

ON RESOURCE MOBILISATION and TAXATION, we propose the following

• Increase duty on imported power plant equipments
• Impose windfall tax on petroleum products exported from standalone refineries to curb their windfall profits.
• A progressive taxation system should be put in place to ensure taxing the rich and the affluent sections who have the capacity to pay at a higher degree. The corporate service sector, traders, wholesale business, private hospitals and institutions etc. should be brought under broader & higher tax net. Increase taxes on luxury goods and reduce indirect taxes on essential commodities as at present the overwhelming majority of the populations are subjected to Indirect taxes that constitute 86% of the revenue.
• Increase export duty on ongoing iron ore export
• Concrete steps must be taken to recover huge accumulated unpaid tax arrears which has already crossed around Rs 3 lakh crore on direct and corporate tax account alone, and has been increasing at a geometric proportion. Such huge tax-evasion over and above the liberal tax concessions of around Rs 2 lakh crore on direct and corporate tax account as on 2009-10, should not be allowed to continue.
• Effective measures should be taken to unearth huge accumulation of black money in the economy including the huge unaccounted money in tax heavens abroad. This money should be directed towards providing social security.
• Concrete measures be expedited for recovering the NPAs of the banking system from the willfully defaulting corporate and business houses. Defaulters should not be allowed fresh loans.
• Tax on Long term capital gains to be introduced; so also higher taxes on the security transactions to be levied.
• ITES, outsourcing sector, Educational Institutions and Health Services etc. run on commercial basis should be brought under Service Tax net.

We hope, the suggestions made above will receive serious consideration. We also urge you to hold post budget discussion with trade unions as is held with the Corporate Association/Federations.

Air India assures salary payment – Staff ends the non-attendance

15 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in TU News - India

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The crisis in Air India for the last few days has ended after discussion between the Air India CMD Rohit Nandan and the representatives of the Pilots. A good number of pilots have been boycotting duty protesting against the non-payment of salary for the last two-three months. Other staff like Stewards and Air Hostesses in international flights were absenting since they were paid neither salary nor the allowances (expenses) for staying in foreign stations.  Many flights were cancelled during the last one week.

Air India, which is in a serious financial crisis, mainly due to the anti-PSU and pro-private companies policy and decisions of the Central Government, especially that of the former Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel , has been demanding subsidy from the government. But the government has not responded to the extent required.

Finance Minister meets Central Trade Unions on pre-budget discussions

15 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in TU News - India

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The Finance Minister  Pranab Mukherjee will be meeting the Central TUs on Monday, 16th January, to have their views before the finalisation of the budget proposals.

The trade unions are expected to raise the issues of the abolition of the contract labour, increase the minimum wage, social benefits like EPF & ESI etc. to them. They are also expected to raise the demand to have more employment generation as also increase the interest rate on Provident Fund decided by the EPFO. All the major National Trade Union centres are expected to participate in the meeting.

‘In the Land of Pame’ – about WFTU Congress at Athens

07 Saturday Jan 2012

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In the Deshabhimani Weekly an article by Comrade A.K.Ramesh, All India President BEFI, on the WFTU Congress  held at Athens 6th to 10th April 2011 was serially published in ten continuous issues. I thought I will read it together and since the final part was published last week, I read it completely yesterday night. It was very interesting. Since his start from Delhi and till  return to India, even minor incidents have been described in a very attractive way. But the important part is about the discussion held in the Conference and the inspiration that the eight hundreds and odd delegates got from the conference. A clear idea of the Congress as also about the grim economic situation in Greece are explained. The excellent way which the Congress was conducted is appreciable. Sufficient number of photoes are also there. Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU had also attended the Congress.

Congratulations to Com. A.K.Ramesh for the very interesting report.

Full preparations going on for the success of 28 February 2012 nationwide strike.

06 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by in TU News, Uncategorized

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All the Central Trade Unions viz. BMS, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC, LPF and SEWA have called for a nationwide strike on 28 February 2012 on the 10 Points Charter of Demands of the working class and the common people. An All India Convention of PSU Unions will be held at Bangalore on 13 January to make plans for making it a complete success in the Public Sector Units.

The Joint Action Committee of BSNL Associations and Unions in its meeting on 19th January is expected to take a favourable decision to participate in the strike. BSNLEU, NFTE, FNTO etc. have already taken the decision to participate in this great strike.

Let us march ahead to make the strike a total strike.

Government proposes new telecom network for secrecy

05 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by in TU News - Telecom specific

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The government is seriously thinking about planning and developing a safety telecom network for its own use. It is worried due to many instances of leaking its information and also spying on its e-mail etc. which are operated by foreign companies. As long as the government is not prepared to control the MNCs and global telecom giants, these are sure to happen. Even now, many foreign telecom manufacturers have not given the encryption code to the government.

A separate net work for the government can be thought of. But it is necessary that the government should take strong action against those foreign manufacturers who are not prepared to accept the regulations of the Indian government.

BSNL Casual and Contract Workers on Struggle path

02 Saturday Jul 2011

Posted by in BSNL News, TU News - India

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BSNL Casual-Contract Workers on Struggle Path
More than one lakh casual and contract workers engaged in BSNL, the telecom PSU, are on the struggle path to achieve their long pending demands and to end the injustice being meted out to them. BSNL Casual & Contract Workers Federation, in its Central Executive Committee meeting held on 16th June at New Delhi has decided to organise Protest Demonstrations on 7th July and to organise a Bharat Sanchar Bhawan March on 11th August 2011 to the BSNL Corporate Office, New Delhi.
The system of casual labour was started in the Department of Telecom decades back for laying cables and lines, removing faults in telephone lines etc. They were eligible for being regularised in the DOT after working for 240 days in a year without any break. By 1988, DOT issued orders to stop the practice of engaging casual labour, but since there was lots of work to be done, the engagement continued. In 1998 a similar instruction was issued, but the engagement again continued.
At the time of formation of BSNL, converting DOT services in to a corporation, an agreement was made by the DOT with the then recognised Federations that all the left out casual labours and Temporary Status Mazdoors (those casual labours who are eligible for regularisation, but due to lack of vacancies could not be regularised and given the Temporary Status) will be regularised with effect from 01-10-2000, the date of formation of the PSU. About 2000 casual workers as also TSMs were regularised accordingly. The process was going on with the other left out casual labour/TSM.
But after 2006, the regularisation was completely stopped by the BSNL management on the plea that the Supreme Court in State of Karnataka & others Vs. Umadevi & others has given a judgement against regularisation of casual labour/TSM. However the Departments of Income Tax, Customs, and Defence etc. regularised their casual labours citing the same judgement in which there was a clause that a new scheme can be introduced for regularisation. In other Central PSUs also casual/contract labour was regularised. Even after citing these examples BSNL management refused to regularise these labours who have been engaged for 10 to 20 years continuously. According to a reply from the Communications Minister in the Parliament, there are 3361 such casual labours out of which 2270 are in W.Bengal alone.
Some of the above TSMs in Odisha circle approached the High Court for justice and the High Court issued favourable orders on the basis of which BSNL was compelled to regularise them. At the same time, BSNL is not prepared to grant regularisation to similarly placed mazdoors.
The daily wages of the casual labour are to be fixed as 1/30th of the monthly salary of a regular employee working in the same kind of job. But now they are given only 1/30th of the central Government rates which is less compared to the PSU wages.
The wages of the contract labour are fixed according to the minimum wages notified by the Government of India. As per the latest notification, the minimum wages for unskilled/semiskilled/skilled/highly skilled in A, B, C class cities are as follows:
Labour A class B Class C Class
Unskilled 247.00 205.00 165.00
Semiskilled 273.00 232.00 192.00
Skilled/clerical 301.00 273.00 232.00
Highly skilled 327.00 301.00 273.00
But in BSNL the labours are being paid a pittance of Rs. 2000/- to Rs.2500/- monthly which is only about half of the wages that is to be paid. After sustained struggles, the BSNL management has issued orders on minimum wages, but except in W.Bengal and T.Nadu , no circle authorities are paying the same to their contract labours. Worst exploitation by the Contractors and certain corrupt officers are continuing resulting in denial of due wages to the labourers.
As per Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act 1970 and other labour acts, social security measures like EPF, ESI are to be implemented for the Casual and Contract labour. But these are also not implemented to the BSNL casual contract workers.
Despite several discussions with the management, when the issues could not be settled, the BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation submitted a petition to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour through Com. P.R.Natarajan, CPI(M) MP. The Standing Committee held a meeting in which the BSNL Management assured that all rules and regulations will be implemented with regard to the casual and contract workers. In fact, they stated that all these orders were implemented.
But what happened afterwards is shocking. Instead of implementing the social security measures and paying minimum wages, most of the casual and contract workers are being retrenched stating that minimum wage cannot be paid and that there is no work. Both the arguments have no basis. These workers were engaged for the past 10 to 20 years and the argument that there is no work is only to deny them minimum wage and social security measures. The arrears from February 2011 are not yet paid.
The workers are on struggle in many places all over the country. BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation have called for a Protest Demonstration on 7th July and Bharat Sanchar Bhawan March on 11th August. A charter of demands has been submitted to the management with the following demands:
1. Regularisation of all casual labour /TSM
2. Payment of wages to casual labour on IDA
3. Payment of Minimum wages to Contract Labour.
4. Implementation of EPF, ESI etc.
BSNL Employees Union, the recognised union in BSNL, has extended full support and solidarity to the struggle of the casual and contract workers. In case the long pending issues are not settled, further sustained agitation including strike will have to be resorted to.
……………….
V.A.N.Namboodiri
President,
BSNL Casual& Contract Workers Federation