It was on 19th January 1982 that the First General Strike by the Central Trade Unions against the anti-worker, anti-people policy of the Central Government was organised. During the last 44 years about 23 general strikes have been organised by the CTUs against the Liberalisation – Privatisation – corporatisation moves of the government. It is estimated that about 25 Crore workers participated in the last General Strike.
All the Central trade Unions, except BMS, have called for another general strike on 12th February 2026 against the anti-worker Labour Codes passed by the Parliament and on other major demands raised by the workers. The Independent Federations and Unions have supported the strike.
19.01.2026 is the 17th death anniversary of one of the great trade union leaders of the country, Comrade E.Balanandan. Throughout his entire life, he fought for the interest of the working class. From an ordinary worker, an electrician, he rose to as one of the top most TU leader in the country. He was the President of the CITU for a long time. He continued as a PBM of the CPI(M) for a long period. He functioned as a Member of Parliament also.
He was very closely connected with the P&T Trade Union movement. He was guide and advisor to the BSNL Employees Union. At all times of crises, he was there to help us. I was personally very close to him and I sought his advise in all trade union matters. He took our issues inside and outside Parliament.
On his death anniversary, I pay my respectful homage to this revolutionary leader! Red Salute to Comrade Balanandan!
Red Salute to Comrade Jyoti Basu, former Chief Minister of W. Bengal and one of the founder P. B. Members of CPI(M) on his death anniversary! Many murder attacks were made against the charismatic popular leader, but he survived them all. He was offered the Prime Minister post when the left supported govt came in to power, but rejected the same as per party decision.
He was fully supportive and took immediate decision on certain issues of providing BSNL services in W. Bengal government departments, when the matter was brought to his notice by the union.
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Red Salute to Com. Jyoti Basu on his 26th Death Anniversary!
Recent reports indicate that the Government has decided to convert Vodafone Idea’s outstanding dues into equity at a premium, using public funds to rescue a failing private operator. This decision is deeply disturbing, especially when BSNL, a 100% Government-owned strategic PSU, continues to be neglected. TRAI data shows that Vodafone Idea has lost over 47 lakh subscribers in recent months, with its market share shrinking significantly. Despite this decline, the Government has extended extraordinary support to the private operator. In contrast, BSNL has been denied timely funding, policy support, and administrative approvals. Prolonged delays in the rollout of BSNL’s 4G services have severely affected its competitiveness, while private operators rapidly expand 5G networks. This is not a public versus private debate, but an issue of policy bias and accountability. BSNL is the backbone of rural connectivity, disaster response, and national security. Strengthening BSNL through fair policies and timely support is essential to protect public interest and India’s telecom sovereignty. (BSNLEU)
We all are in hectic preparation for making the Dharna on 9th January 2026 a great success, called for by the Forum of Civil Pensioners Association demanding the Central Government to repel the Anti-Pensioner ‘Pension Validation Act’ as also demanding modifying the adverse Terms of Reference of the 8th Central Pay Commission. This Dharna is part of the sustained struggles against the inhuman anti-pensioner, anti-constitutional attack on the pensioners which the Central Government continues with the target of completely destroying pension and pensioners.
About 40 Pensioners Organisations have already become part of FCPA and more are expected to join. All these Pensioners Associations in Central Government and Central PSUs are joining FCPA realising the draconian attack against the pensioners by the Modi Government. This may be widened later with the Pensioners Associations of State government pensioners.
Many of the Unions / Associations of Central Govt employees who will also be adversely affected when they retire, have declared solidarity and support to our agitational programme.
The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and Trade Union International ( Pensioners & Retirees ) have declared support and solidarity to our just struggle.
Many Members of Parliament have written to the Central Government seeking immediate action on our demands.
Comrades,
The battle lines are very clear and already drawn. The government with their sinister move of destroying our lives and existence are on one side and we the Pensioners, who have served the Nation and its people all over the decades, are on the other side, to save their existence as also that of future pensioners.
If the government feels that we will surrender or run away from the battle field, they are mistaken. We are inheritors of the valiant strikes of 1960, 1968, 1974 and many other heroic direct actions through which many demands were won. Arrests, jails, dismissals, suspensions – we faced them all. The sacrifice of more than 30 martyrs during these struggles will certainly inspire us in future struggles.
Comrades,
Our success in each programme mainly depends upon our mobilising the maximum number of pensioners in these agitational programmes. In the Dharna Programme tomorrow we should be able to bring all pensioners whoever are physically capable of attending the same. In future programmes also. Our hard won gains can not be allowed to be destroyed. Let us March ahead for a better future!
CITU ദേശീയ ജനറൽ സെക്രട്ടറി ആയി തെരഞ്ഞെടുക്കപ്പെട്ട സ. എളമരം കരീമിന്ന് കോഴിക്കോട് ജനാവലിയുടെ സ്വീകരണം. CITU സംസ്ഥാന പ്രസിഡന്റ് സ. ടി പി രാമകൃഷ്ണൻ ഉൽഘാടനം ചെയ്തു. വിവിധ സംഘടനകൾ ഹാരാർപ്പണം നടത്തി. സ. എളമരം കരീം സ്വീകരണത്തിന്ന് നന്ദി പറഞ്ഞു കൊണ്ട് ദേശീയ സ്ഥിതി ഗതികളെക്കുറിച്ചും ഫെബ്രുവരി 12 ന്റെ പണിമുടക്ക് വിജയിപ്പിക്കേണ്ടതിനെ കുറിച്ചും സംസാരിച്ചു. യോഗത്തിന് മുന്നേ അൽപ സമയം സ. ടി. പി. രാമകൃഷ്ണൻ, CITU സംസ്ഥാന പ്രസിഡന്റിന്റെ കൂടെ.
WFTU condemnation statement on the new imperialist intervention in Venezuela
03 Jan 2026by WFTU HQ
The US is intensifying its aggression against the sovereign people of Venezuela.
Following the deployment of U.S. forces in the Caribbean with the pretex of fight against drug trafficking and after the first land strike on a dock area inside the country, the USA uncontrollable escalates its aggression with the contacting of a large scale strike against Karakas, capturing of the President Nikolas Maduro and his wife.
This illegal kidnap, if confirmed, constitute an unprecedented aggressive act that violates every fundamental principals of international law and practice, opening yet another war front in the unstable global scene. This intervention confirming the chaotic phase into which imperialist aggression has entered with unforeseen consequences.
The World Federation of Trade Unions condemns unequivocally the imperialist intervention in Venezuela aiming the control of the mineral and energy wealth of the country in the framework of the inter-imperialistic antagonism for domination.
The WFTU calls upon its members, the class-oriented and militant unions all over the globe to express the unwavering support to the people of Venezuela condemning the unacceptable and unprecedented intervention and to strongly condemn the imperialist intervention against the people of Venezuela and to tangibly extend their internationalist solidarity in multiple ways, supporting the non-negotiable right of the peoples to determine freely and democratically their own present and future.
Solidarity with Venezuela — No to imperialist interventions!
The Central government has passed the anti-pensioner, anti-worker Pension Validation Act which denies Pension Revision and other existing benefits to the past, present and future pensioners. Almost all the major Central Pensioners Associations have together formed the Forum of Civil Pensioners Associations to defeat this draconian attack on the pensioners who have spent their best time of life in service of the people. The Modi Government which hands over lakhs of crores of rupees to the corporates in various dubious ways wants to deny even the pension, which is a Constitutional right as declared by the Supreme Court itself several times. A perusal of the anti-workers Terms of Reference of the 8th Central Pay Commission indicates that nothing positive will come out of it. The 65 lakhs of Central Pensioners, crores of State Pensioners, PSU Pensioners and the employees have to come together as a militant force to defeat the draconian act and force the government to modify the TOR of 8th Pay Commission.
It is time for the employees and pensioners to prepare for a united militant struggle against these attacks and defeat them decisively.
UNITY FOR STRUGGLE! STRUGGLE FOR UNITY! UNITY & STRUGGLE FOR ACHIEVEMENT!
It is the tradition of Karnataka Comrades to honour guests, veterans and seniors in the Annual Conferences and special functions. In the Udipi Branch Conference of AIBDPA held today about 20 comrades who are above 75 years were honoured with shawls, garlands and fruits baskets. Myself along with Pankajam were also honoured.
With family of late Com. P. Appaji, former AGS, E. III. Union and leader of BSNLEU & AIBDPA at their residence. Mrs. Jayanthi Appaji, sons Shri Mithun, Shri Bharath, daughter in laws Smt. Shreelatha and Smt. Disha and children can be seen. Remembered about the sincere and dedicated service of Com Appaji.
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