The Joint Action Committee has taken apt decision at the appropriate time to observe “Customer Delight Month” in May, extended to June 2011. Two months are almost over. It is time that we have to examine to what extent the programme has been successful. It is true that within two months any programme in such a big PSU extended all over India can not be correctly evaluated. But we have to see what progress we had made.
The first issue is that how much awareness we could make. In this case it can surely be stated that the message has gone in a big way that BSNL is in real difficulty and that unless something is done, the future will be dim. The experience of the other PSUs like ITI, HMT etc. which has gone loss making and also that the government will not come to the rescue of the workers are well understood.
The second is analysing why the profitable BSNL has gone down in a upbeat market where there is a lot of opportunity for expansion and development, where there are many crores of people who are still not having phone connections. Why private companies are able to utilise the opportunity and why the PSUs BSNL and MTNL are losing the market shares at the same time?
The answer is not difficult to find. In short it is the wrong anti-PSU policies of the government emanated from the neo-liberal policies that have resulted BSNL becoming weak. While all concessions and facilities for growth are granted to private telcos, the PSU telecos are discriminated in every way.
Second is the mismanagement. The ITS officers, who are the top management had technical capability in earlier technologies, but are not uptodate with the present technological development. Transfer of technology has not taken place. Further the present requirement is more on business and marketing than on technology. Unfortunately, not much have been done in this aspect. Inability to procure sufficient equipments and connected materials is another big issue.
There is a slackness all over the work force whether executive or non-executive. This has not been adequately addressed to.
There are many other reasons, but the above in a nut shell covers the main issues.
The observation of Customer Delight Month has made the management and workers aware of these issues to an extent. Results are there in few places. But much more has to be done. The management and the entire workforce have to discuss together and plan our strategy for further improvement.
We need not be panicky. If the 3 lakh workers are determined, no force can stop them. Let us be optimistic.

UNITED FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS
Decisions taken in the United Forum meeting held on 25th June 2011
A meeting of the National Steering Committee of the United Forum of BSNL Unions was held on 25th June 2011. Com. Suresh Kumar, Chairman, United Forum, presided. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener briefed the committee about the latest developments.
After discussion, the following decisions were taken:
1. The meeting decided that the following issues are very important which requires urgent settlement. :
a. NEPP – Modifications.
b. PLI – Bonus
c. NE – 12 payscale
d. No VRS
e. SC/ST Reservation in NEPP – Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST

A letter to be sent by the General Secretary, BSNLEU to the CMD BSNL seeking urgent settlement of the demands failing which agitation will be resorted to.
2. The functioning of the United Forum at Circle levels was discussed. It was decided that the Circle Secretaries BSNLEU should take the initiative to form the Steering Committee at their levels. And start co-ordinated functioning.
3. With regard to allotment of seats in Circle/SSA Councils, the alliance unions will discuss the matter with BSNLEU.
4. The next meeting of the United Forum will be held one day after the NC meeting.

V.A.N.Namboodiri New Delhi
Convener.

The Central Trade Unions have called upon the entire workers all over the country to observe Protest Day on 23rd June 2011 against the intolerable increase in the prices of petrol, diesel,cooking gas and other petroleum products. Already the government has hiked the prices several times. After deregularisation, thus giving the right to the oil companies to decide the price of the petroleum products, the companies have increased the prices higher. The Government will get the taxes and the companies will get huge profits. But what about the ordinary people? Their monthly budget has gone up several times and even the increased wages of the workers could not compensate the increase in the prices.
The decision of the Central Trade Union is timely. Further BMS, which was keeping away earlier, has also joined in the call thus making almost all the Central Trade Unions together.
Let all the working class together make this programme a grand success and prepare for further struggle against the neo-liberal policy of the government which has resulted in all these anti-people decisions.