Category Archives: TU News – India

TU News from India

Forum will meet on 5th December 2014

01 Monday Dec 2014

Posted by in Forum, TU News - India

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The Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations has called upon the workers to go on Indefinite Strike from 3rd February 2015, demanding the government and the Management to urgently take necessary measures to revive BSNL and improve the services.

In order to plan the campaign programmes in connection with the strike, a meeting of the Forum will be held at 03.00 PM on 5th December 2014 at BSNLMS Office.

All the affiliates have been requested to necessarily participate in the meeting. The leaders and workers at the field level are requested to start preparations for the Indefinite Strike.

Organise National Protest Day on 5th December with Massive Rallies

01 Monday Dec 2014

Posted by in TU News - India

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The call of the 11 Central Trade Unions to organise 5th December 2011 as ‘National Protest Day’ is most appropriate. The Modi Government, after taking over the reins of government has been continuously attacking through its reformist policies, the people and especially the working class.

The amendments to the labour laws to favour the corporates and other employers has been moved in the Parliament. Once they are passed, about 60% of the workers will be out of the purview of the labour rules including minimum wage, EPF, ESI etc. Rajasthan BJP government has already adopted such acts and M.P. Government, which also is BJP, has issued ordinances to that effect. Other BJP governments may also follow suit.

Increase in FDI in all sectors is on the line. Government has already moved for 100 % FDI in Railways, despite strong opposition from the Railway Federation, AIRF. In defence production also, the FDI is being increased. MNCs and big corporates are given all benefits. The due taxes running in to thousands of crores of rupees are being waived as in the case of Nokia, Vodafone, Shell etc. But at the same time, it is not prepared even to refund BSNL the charges of spectrum, which the latter has surrendered. It is delaying the payment of USOF of Rs. 1,250 crores to BSNL, which is in lieu of ADC, and which had already been approved for the year 2012-13.

There is no respite from the soaring prices, despite promise of the BJP that the prices will be stabilised. Even after the global oil prices have come down, the government is reluctant to reduce the price accordingly, citing the loss to the government from taxes.

The aggressive disinvestment process will soon result in private control of many PSUs, resulting in privatisation,  as happened in the case of VSNL. HMT Watches, Hindustan Cables and other such PSUs are being directly privatised. BSNL and MTNL is also on the line.  The PSUs are being sold cheap.

Unorganised workers are being brutally exploited. There is no move to regularise the contract workers who are employed in the place of regular employees resulting in wage slavery. More than 90% of the total workers are in the unorganised sector.

It is in these circumstances that the Central Trade Unions have  called for observing the National Protest Day on 5th December 2014. This call has been supported by all the Independent Federations of Central, State and Public Sectors also.

Massive campaign programmes have been organised in all the states in November 2014 to mobilise the workers for participation in the national Protest Day.

In Delhi, the Central Trade Unions have decided to hold massive rally at Jantar Mantar by about 10.30 hours, which will be participated by thousands of workers.

It is the duty of each and every worker, every trade union, to take this opportunity to participate in the National Protest Day and the make the programme a historical event. The Central trade Unions are expected to take important decision for further agitational programmes.

 

AIRF Opposes Railway Privatisation

30 Sunday Nov 2014

Posted by in Neo-liberal policy, TU News - India

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Lucknow, Nov 29 : All India Railwaymen’s Federation today said it opposes 100 per cent FDI in railways as it will “demolish the existing framework” of the organisation.

“During the national convention of AIRF, 100 per cent FDI in railway was taken as a challenge as it will demolish the existing frame work of the organisation,” National General Secretary AIRF Shiv Gopal Mishra told reporters here.

“It is being said that FDI is needed for railways. But when the government can invest in infrastructure, then why not in railways,” he added.

“The railways is not in loss. The railways could have saved Rs 1,56,000 crore if it was allowed to do fair pricing,” he claimed.

“When in opposition BJP opposed FDI during UPA regime and now it has taken a U-turn and is supporting it,” he added.

Mishra said other issues of merging dearness allowance into basic salary, to provide interim relief, abolish new pension scheme and to restore old one and anti-labour provisions in the labour law were also taken up. (Courtesy: Ganashakti)

 

One Day Strike by BSNL Employees and BSNL Casual and Contract Workers

27 Thursday Nov 2014

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU, Telecom, TU News - India

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The two lakh BSNL Non-Executive Employees and one lakh casual and contract workers have started their one day strike today, 27th November 2014, from 00.00 to 24.00 hours. The reports getting from various centres are very positive and a full strike is taking place. The Call is given by the JAC of Non-Executive Employees and the BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation.

The strike is taking place due to the utter negative and insensitive attitude of the BSNL Management in not settling the long pending issues of the non-executives, despite continued persuasion. In the case of casual and contract workers, it is mainly the non-implementation of the government and BSNL C.O. orders. The casual and contract workers engaged for more than 20-25 years are still not regularised so far.

The reports so far received indicates a full strike in all the places. The workers are angry and unhappy that the management has denied their justified demands.

Hearty Congratulations and Warm greetings to all the workers and labours, who have made the strike a mighty action.

Make the 27th November Strike a Historical one

26 Wednesday Nov 2014

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU, Telecom, TU News - India

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The adamant and negative attitude of the management to the long pending and fully justified demands of the non-executive workers have made the strike on 27th November 2014 a must. It can be understood that how casually the management has taken the strike is evident from the discussion yesterday between the management and the JAC. Neither CMD was present nor even a Director of the BSNL Board. There were 4-5 GMs, who can only intimate the decisions taken so far by the management; and there were no decisions. It was only requesting the workers to withdraw their strike.  This insult has to be replied with a mighty strike, that they will not forget.

The conciliation by the Regional Labour Commissioner was also not different. The management representatives had nothing more to offer. It was also destined to fail.

The Strike by the Non-Executive workers on 27th November 2014 has to be made a big success. Ensure the participation of all workers.

The BSNLCCWF has also called for a strike of the casual and contract workers in BSNL on the same day with their Charter of Demands. Both the strikes has to be co-ordinated and made successful.

Towards Strike! Towards victory!

Talks failed – BSNL Non-Executives, Casual Contract Labour Strike on 27th November

25 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU, Telecom, TU News - India

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The discussion on the strike demands held today between the BSNL Management and the JAC failed. Not even a single demand of the employees was accepted by the BSNL Management.

The JAC met immediately after the discussion and after reviewing the discussion unanimously decided to go ahead with the strike decision.

The BSNL Management is taking the unions for granted. The patience of the Unions is taken for weakness. The 30 point charter includes long pending demands  which needs to be addressed for motivation of the staff as well as for the revival of BSNL. The obstinacy of the BSNL Management has got to be replied by cent per cent strike on 27th November 2014. Forward to a mighty strike with full participation of all the non-executive employees of BSNL.

The Casual and Contract Workers are also on strike on the same day on their own  Charter of Demands. The BSNLCCWF has not even been called for discussion. The Casual and Contract Workers who are brutally exploited and on whose hard work the maintenance of BSNL exists, are being completely ignored and taken for granted. Their strike also will be full. Their fight is for implementation of the government orders on payment of minimum wage, social security measures etc.

Both the non-executive employees, casual and contract workers together, about three lakh workers will make the 27th November Strike a historic one.

Historic Verdict of Delhi High Court Reinstating workers of Hindustan Times

25 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by in General, TU News - India

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The Delhi High Court on 17th November 2014 has delivered a judgement reinstating the 272 workers of Hindustan Times, who were arbitrarily removed by the management nine years back. The Management has also been directed to pay the back wages since their retrenchment. This judgement is a victory not only for the HT workers and Delhi Union of Journalists, who conducted the case, but also to the trade union movement as a whole.

Earlier, the Industrial Tribunal after hearing the appeal of the DUJ, had cancelled the retrenchment orders and directed the HT to reinstate the workers with back wages. However, the management went on appeal to the Delhi High Court. The Delhi HC has now upheld the decision of the tribunal.

13 workers have died during the period after their retrenchment. The Delhi High Court stated: ” In case the relief of back wages is denied to the workmen, it would tantamount to placing a premium on the fraudulent conduct of the management which by its order of dismissal has virtually deprived hundreds of workmen of right to life and livelihood.”

We hail the historic Judgment. It should be an eye-opener to such anti-worker managements.

Opposition Parties Should oppose and defeat the Insurance Amendment Bill

25 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by in CTU, General, PSU, TU News - India

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The NDA Government is going to present the Insurance Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha in this winter session, where the opposition parties are in majority and the government in a minority. The efforts of both UPA and NDA governments in the past were defeated by the then opposition parties.

Why so? it is not simply political, but has other wide ramifications. The Insurance Amendment Act will result in the emergence of the MNCs in a big way and will  weaken the Life Insurance Corporation of India, which is the shining example of the Central Public Sector. LIC was formed through corporatisation of the private companies which were cheating the public. The LIC has grown year after year and even the MNCs failed to compete with the same. The government guarantee for the LIC policies is another benefit to the people, who are assured of their policy benefits. The LIC always reached to help the government whenever it was in financial difficulties, either by purchasing the share of PSUs or giving more dividend or otherwise.

The Insurance amendment Bill is to kill the public sector insurance companies including the LIC. That is why even many among the BJP and Congress, which parties have supported the bill at some time or other, there are members who oppose the bill. Further, the massive campaign conducted by the Insurance Employees Unions, especially the All India Insurance Employees Association  (AIIEA) has exposed the real intentions of the government to kill the Insurance companies and favour the MNCs and big corporates.

It is time that all the opposition parties should unitedly oppose this anti-people and anti-national bill and defeat the same convincingly. The United strength of the Central Trade Unions and Independent  Federations of Workers require to continue the hectic campaign and make the people fully aware of the dangers of the anti-people bill.

About 7,600 Staff Recruitment by State Banks

24 Monday Nov 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, News, PSU, Telecom, TU News - India, TUI of Pensioners and Retirees

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The State Bank Group Banks are in the process of recruiting more than 7,600 clerical staff. Applications have already been called for by State Bank of Hyderabad ( 2,566 vacancies), State Bank of Patiala (1,541), State Bank of Travancore (1,527), State Bank of Jaipur and Bikaner ( 1,188) and State Bank of Mysore (852). The State Bank of India had already recruited about 5,500 during the last year.

Despite the introduction of new technologies, the Banks have found out that fresh blood is required to run the services and serve the customers. Hence the recruitment.

Will BSNL Management realise that it also require fresh blood for a better service? Even after 1,30,000 employees have retired, mainly from the lower cadres, during the last thirteen years, these vacancies have not been filled up. Recruitment is an urgent requirement in BSNL.

 

Govt. on the move to hand over NOFN project to Private Companies.

24 Monday Nov 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Telecom, TU News - India

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It is reported in the press that the delay being caused in the Rs. 20,000 crore NOFN Project, being entrusted to BSNL, Railtel and Powergrid  has made the government to rethink of handing over the work to the private companies. The target of fulfilling the task of providing 2.5 lakh villages with broadband service was projected to be completed by December 2016, which now has been preponed to March 2016 by the PMO.

There seems to be a big conspiracy in the government move. Government wants all the paraphernalia in tender process to be fulfilled by the PSUs and the same time wants it to be speeded up. The private telecom companies had already protested in entrusting the project to BSNL etc. Now, on the plea of the alleged delay they want to get the project for themselves. And the Modi Government, which got huge election funds from the corporates, is willing to play its role.

The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations strongly protest this anti-PSU move of the government and demand that the proposal to hand over NOFN project to private companies be dropped and also allow the three PSUs to continue their work with out undue hindrance as was being done. In fact, the PSUs should be assisted in their efforts to finalise the project at the earliest.