2^nd All India Conference at Lucknow in 2003

II All India Conference of BSNL Employees Union was held at Lucknow, historical capital city of U.P. , on 2-5 June 2003. Best arrangements were made for holding the conference by the Reception Committee under the leadership of senior leaders Com.R.S.Yadav, K.D.M.Tripathy, O.P.Verma, K.R.Yadav and others. More than 2000 delegates attended.

Com. Moni Bose, Patron, BSNLEU, hoisted the red flag of the Union. Com. E.Balanandan, President CITU and always a guide and advisor to BSNLEU, inaugurated the AIC. Spoke about the task in the trade union front and the need to strengthen the public sector, including BSNL. For the first time, on our invitation, a team of delegates from Telecommunication Employees Association of Nepal (TEAN) led by its President Com. Thankalal Shrestha attended and greeted the conference. They were given a warm welcome by the delegates.

A Seminar on BSNL was organised, which was addressed by Comrade Prabir Purkayastha (Delhi Science Forum), Dev Roy (CITU) T.S.Rajan and others in addition to the presentation of the subject by General Secretary.

It was terrible heat, rising up to about 48 degrees and sitting in the spacious tent in the maidan was most difficult. Then came the cyclonic storm and torrential rain due to which the tent, decorations etc. were washed away. It was only due to the tremendous efforts on the part of the Reception Committee volunteers that necessary arrangements were made to conduct the conference in the next three days.

The Conference discussed about organizational matters. Strategies were chalked out for facing  next membership verification. Resolutions were adopted on pressing issues of the workers.

Office bearers with Comrades Moni Bose as Patron, J.N.Mishra as President, V.A.N.Namboodiri as General Secretary, P.Abhimanyu as Dy. General Secretary and Nafe Singh as Treasurer were unanimously elected.

A massive procession with participation of thousands of workers were organised. The Open Session was inaugurated by Com.M.K.Pandhe (CITU) and addressed by Comrades R.S.Yadav, Shiv Gopal Mishra (AIRF), S.C.Misra(DDG) and others.

BSNL EMPLOYEES UNION – ALL INDIA CONFERENCES.

10^th All India Conference of BSNL Employees Union is scheduled to be held at Guwahati from 2^nd to 4^th April 2022.

BSNLEU was formed on 22^nd March 2001 at the the All India Convention held at Visakhapatnam, which is treated as the First Conference of the Union. Nine All India Conferences have been held so far including the foundation conference. A brief report of these conferences are given below for information.

1. Formation Conference of BSNLEU at Visakhapatnam

Consequent to formation of BSNL in October 2000, recognition granted to all the Unions and Federations earlier were cancelled. Management stipulated that instead of the existing unions formed on the basis of government rules, new unions as per Trade Union Act should be formed and registered with Trade Union Registrar.

While separate unions for Officers, Class III and Class IV Employees existed earlier, now unions in the PSU will be for Executives and Non-executives. E.III (N) Union took initiative and consulted some of the Class III and IV unions for formation of a united Non-executive Union.

Following unions agreed to form a joint non-executive union in BSNL:

1.All India Telecom Employees Union Class III (N) Union : General Secretary – V.A.N.Namboodiri

 2. All India Telecom Traffic Class III Union : General Secretary – P.S.Raman Kutty

3. All India Telecom Administrative Union Class III & IV : General Secretary –  Pabitra Chakraborty

4. All India Civil Wing Employees Union : General Secretary – S.Killivalavan

5. Telecom Factory Industrial Workers Union : General Secretary – Sisir Bhattacharjee

6. Telecom Employees Union : General Secretary – V.Gopal &  Circle Unions of E.IV Union in Kerala, W.Bengal and Assam.

It is pertinent to note that all these unions had strongly protested against corporatisation of Telecom Department in to BSNL and organised sustained struggles, including strikes, against corporatisation under the banner of “Door Sanchar Sangharsh Samithi”, well knowing that corporatisation of telecom was the first step towards it’s privatisation.

 A Convention was decided to be held for formation of the new union. It was held at Visakhapatnam on 21-22 March 2001. Hundreds of delegates participated from the unions proposed to be merged in the union to be newly formed. In the presence of CITU All India President Com.E.Balanandan, NFPE General Secretary Com.K.Adinarayana, General Secretary AIIEA Com.N.M.Sundaram and other respected leaders, BSNL Employees Union (BSNLEU) was formed on 22nd March 2001. It was significant that the date coincided with the death anniversary of the great working class leader Com.A.K.Gopalan, who always was the guide and well-wisher of P and T unions. Office-bearers with J.N.Mishra as President, V.A.N.Namboodiri as General Secretary, P.S.Raman Kutty as Deputy General Secretary and J.S.Dahiya as Treasurer were elected unanimously with inclusion of leaders from all the participating unions. Comrades SisirBhattacharjee and Moni Bose were elected as Patrons. Thus BSNL Employees Union was born. It was a historic moment for the telecom workers.

Workers enthusiastically welcomed formation of BSNLEU. Circle, District and Branch Unions were formed by holding conventions of all merged unions at concerned level in a short period and electing office-bearers unanimously.

Com.N.P.Padmanabhan ( 23.3.1926 – 05.03.1994)

March 5th, 2022 is the 28th death anniversary of Com. N.P.Padmanabhan, the legendary leader of of the P&T employees. His life was full of militant struggles for the cause of the central govt and P&T workers.

Started his official life as a Postal Clerk in Tirur in 1947. Worked in many post offices since rotational transfer was the system. Took prominent part in formation of NFPTE in Kerala. Led the 5 day historical 1960 July Strike in Tellicherry and was arrested and jailed. Elected as Circle Secretary, All India Postal Employees Union class III (NFPTE) Kerala in 1966. Elected as Convener, Circle Coordinating Committee of P& T Unions (NFPTE), Kerala in 1977. Also elected as Convener, Confederation of CG Employees and Workers, Kerala.

Com. Pappettan, as he was lovingly and respectfully called, heroically led the 19th September 1968 One Day Token Strike og CG employees in Kerala with almost 100% participation. 200 temporary employees terminated in Kerala alone. Com.N.P. was dismissed. He was reinstated only after Janatha Govt came in to power in 1977 after the withdrawal of the hated Internal Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

N.P.Padmanabhan was elected as Scretary, NFPTE in 1978 and shifted to New Delhi.Returned to Kerala after four years due to ill health. Elected as Circle Secretary P.III and Vice-President of C-o-C.

Retired from service in 1984 and shifted to home at Tellicherry. Passed away on 05.03.1994. Was cremated in Payyambalam Beach, Cannanore. His Memorial stands there nearby that of Com.A.K.Gopalan and other working class leaders.

Com.Padmanabhan was an unparallelled organiser and an inspiring orator. His speech enthused the workers and strengthened activities. He was a hard negotiator, also a good fighter for the cause of workers. Successfully organised many struggles that of not only P&T or CG employees, but that of many other sectors. P&T House, Trivandrum, which was the union office as well as his residence was the centre where leaders of many unions came for support and advice for their respective struggles.

(There used to be a joke saying in Trivandrum at that time that ‘Trivandrum is controlled by three Padmanabhas – Shri Padmanabha, the deity of Padmanabha Swamy Temple, N.P.Padmanabhan and E.Padmanabhan, General Secretary of Kerala NGO Union the militant leader of the state govt employees’. Such was the popularity of Pappettan).

I met him in 1959 after my transfer to Cannanore from Kottayam. I was inspired by his speeches and advices. Got the opportunity to closely work together in P&T House, Trivandrum since 1978, after I was elected as Circle Secretary of E.III Union. The close connection continued till his death.

After my return from Delhi in 2017, I found that no biography of Pappettan has been published so far. With whatever personal information I had, outputs from other leaders and comrades, from available journals and other records as also with information from his family, a short biography in Malayalam titled ‘ Com.N.P.Padmanabhan, the Militant Leader of P & T Employees’ was published in 2018. (Almost all the 2000 copies, except a few were sold within no time. That was the popularity Pappettan had with the workers).

On this 5th March, arrives his 28th death anniversary. P&T and CG employees are observing the day appropriately.

Life and activities of Com. Pappettan will inspire workers for long, especially in the present situation when the workers are continuing their struggles against the anti-people, anti-worker policy and attacks of the Modi Governmet and a 48 eight hours General Strike is being organised on 28-29 March 2022.

Red Salute to Com.N.P.Padmanabhan on his death anniversary!

V.A.N.Namboodiri

All India General Strikes in India  – 12

General Strike on 28^th February  2012

Workers March to Parliament on 23^rd February 2011

On 23^rd February 2011, New Delhi witnessed a massive “Workers’ March to Parliament” participated by lakhs of workers and orgaised by the Central Trade unions CITU, AITUC, INTUC, HMS, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC and Industrial  & independent federations. The March culminated in to a massive rally in front of the Parliament Police Station, where its forward march was stopped by the police. CTU leaders addressed and focussed on the demands of universalisation of social security to the unorganised workers, containing the rocketing prices of essential commodities, implementation of universal public distribution system etc.

In continuation of the Parliament March, a National Convention of Workers & Employees was held on 7^th September 2011 at Mavlankar Hall New Delhi, which was participated by delegates from central trade unions as well as independent federations. It called upon the workers to organise countrywide Jail Bharao / Satyagraha on 8^th November 2011. The programme was a great success. On the major demands of the people and the working class it was decided to organise a General Strike on  28^th February 2012.

General Strike on 28^th February 2012.

The General Strike on 28^th February 2012 was a great success with very good paticipation in all parts of the country and in all sectors. The demands were well focussed in the huge joint campaigns organised earlier  in the major cities like Hyderabadd, Chennai, Pune, Patna, Calcutta etc.  (to be continued )

 

AUAB decides to organise agitational programme, opposing the arbitrary takeover of ALTTC by the DoT..

 

An emergency online meeting of the AUAB was held today, to discuss and decide about the protest action against the arbitrary taking over of the ALTTC by the DoT. General secretaries of BSNLEU, NFTE, AIGETOA, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, SNATTA, BSNL ATM and AITEEA, participated. The meeting vehemently criticised the DoT for taking over the 81 acre land together with the ALTTC buildings and other infrastructures, whose market value is Rs.6,000 crore. The following agitational programmes are decided, to demand immediate cancellation of the DoT order for the taking over of the  ALTTC.

 

1. The AUAB to write a very strong protest letter to the Government, opposing the arbitrary taking over of the ALTTC and also demanding immediate cancellation of the presidential order issued to take over the ALTTC.
2. To organise protest lunch demonstrations throughout the country on 03.03.2022, against the arbitrary taking over of the ALTTC, by the DoT.
3. A Twitter campaign is to be organised on 08.03.2022, against the high-handed taking over of the ALTTC, by the DoT.
4. It was also decided to mobilise employees massively at Ghaziabad, to protest against the arbitrary taking over of the ALTTC by the DoT. The date for this programme will be announced shortly. (Courtesy: BSNLEU )

 

 

General Strike on 7^th September 2010

All India General Strikes in India  -11

General Strike on 7^th September 2010

A meeting of the Central Trade Unions viz. INTUC, AITUC, CITU, AICCTU, HMS and UTUC was held on 19^th July 2009 at the INTUC Office New Delhi, presided over by Dr. G.Sanjeeva Reddy (INTUC). The meeting expressed serious concern over the rising prices of the essential commodities, continuous job  losses, non-implementation of basic labour rules, extreme inadequacy of the provisions in the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act 2008 and move of the government for disinvestment of Central PSUs. The Central Trade Unions called upon the workers and employees of various unions/ associations irrespective of affiliations to unitedly highlight their concerns on the above issues. It was also decided to submit a Memorandum to the Prime Minister on the above issues as also to hold a National Convention of Trade Unions at Delhi in September 2009 to chalk out future programmes.

National Convention of workers on 14^th September 2009

As decided earlier, the National Convention of Workers was held at Mavlankar Hall, New Delhi on 14^th September 2009 under the auspices of BMS, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, AICCTU and UTUCC. The Convention passed a comprehensive Resolution on the important issues of the workers, the negative and anti-worker attitude of the government and the need to continue sustained struggles. The following programmes were decided to highlight the burning issues facing the working people:

1. State level Joint Conventions
2. All India Protest day on 25^th October 2009.

These programmes were effectively organised all over the country.

National Convention of  Workers on 15^th July 2010

Another National Convention of Workers was held at Mavlankar hall, New Delhi on 15^th July 2010. It reviewed All India Protest day on 28^th October 2009, Massive Dharna and Parliament March on 16^th December 2009 and Satyagraha / Jail Bharao on 5^th March 2010 in which more than 10 lakh workers participated. A Declaration was adopted by the Convention on the various issues already focussed and decided to organise an All India General Strike on 7^th September 2010.

All India General Strike on 7^th September 2010

The strike embraced all the states in the country. In W.Bengal and Kerala it was almost a Bandh. It was not much different in other states. Most of the PSUs were either closed or there was very thin attendance. The strike was a very good success in BSNL. The Central Government and State Government employees also participated in large numbers. This was the  strike with biggest participation so far. In every new strike the number of participation increased. (to be continued)

 

Red Salute to those brave Naval Ratings, Soldiers and Civilians of 1946 Royal Indian Navy Revolt  / Mutiny of February 1946 !

18^th February  2022 is the 76^th aniversary of the starting of the RIN Mutiny of 1946, which is a shining chpater of the great Indian struggle for Independence. Started from naval ship HIMS Talwar in Bombay Harbour, against worst service and living  conditions, it spread to 78 ships and port offices from Karachi  to Calcutta  involving more than 20,000 sailors. It converted itself into struggle for Independence.  It was a struggle of life and death. The revolt is stated to be first organised by B.C.Dutt, the radio operator in the HMIS Talwar. The mutineers hoisted three flags tied together that of Indian National Congress, Muslim League and Communist Party of India in the ships after pulling away the British Flag.

The people of Bombay gave all support to the mutiny and organised massive demonstrations in the city. The main two political parties, Indian National Congress and Muslim League not only did not support the mutiny, but even condemned it. Probably they did not want any obstacles in the discussions with the British regarding grant of Independence. Communist Party of India, the third political party, on the other hand gave all support to the mutiny and organised one day strike as also big rallies in Bombay and other cities. Made arrangements for supply of food etc.

The Mutiny ended on 23^rd February 1946 after strong forces of British troops and Warships reached as also on the call of the Congress and Muslim League to surrender. Thousands were arrested, courtmarshalled and brutally punished. Thus ended the heroic action of the Navy ratings and soldiers.

RIN Mutiny is considered as a heroic and important part of the great Indian Struggle for Independence.

Red salute to the Fighters and Martyrs of Royal Indian Navy Mutiny !

All India General Strikes in India  – 10

General Strike on 14^th December 2006

A National Convention of Workers was held on 25^th July 2006 at Mavlankar  Hall, V.P.House premises as per the call by the seven central trade unions, viz. AICCTU, AITUC, CITU, HMS, TUCC, UTUC-LS and UTUC as also the all India Federations and associations of employees and workers in banks, central and state government offices and departments, insurance, railways, defence, postal, telecom, petroleum and other sectors as also of several independent unions. An eleven member presidium comprising leaders of the central and other trade unions conducted the proceedings. Comrades M.K.Pandhe (CITU), Gurudas Dasgupta (AITUC), Thampan Thomas (HMS), Swapan Mukherjee (AICCTU), S.P.Tiwari (TUCC), Krishna Chakraborty (UTUC-LS), Abani Roy(UTUC), V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU) S.K.Vyas (Confederation) Sukomal Sen (AISGEF) and other leaders addressed.

A draft declaration presented in the convention which dealt elaborately with the challenges faced by the toiling masses , the growing attacks from the employers and the indifference and anti-labour attitude of the UPA government at the centre etc was discussed and adopted with a 16 point Charter of Demands for campaign and struggle. The following action programme was unanimously adopted:

16 August – 15 September 2006: Holding of Conventions at State and Sectoral levels

20 September 2006: National Day for Mobilisation for General Strike (holding demonstrations, rallies etc.)

29 November 2006: Strike Notice to be served by all unions in their respective establishments

14^th December 2006 : All India General Strike.

Prime Minister interacts with Trade Unions

This time, after the TU Convention, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh held a meeting with the central trade unions on 19 August 2006 to hear their view points. All the demands were well explained by the central leaders.

The Prime Minister heard the unions patiently. A  few vague asssurances with regard to payment of back wages , enquring whether any fradulent calculation is there in the cost of living index, creating more jobs etc. were given. The unions urged the PM once again to take expeditious decisions on the demands presented.

As per the call of the All India Convention all the agitational programmes were organised effectively with massive participation.

The One Day General Strike called for by the Central Trade Unions on 14 December 2006 was a great success with participation of crores of workers. It was converted in to a complete Bandh in Kerala, W.Bengal and Tripura.  

Ninth General Strike on 29^th September 2005.

National Trade Union Convention on 9^th July 2005.

As per call of the Sponsoring Committee of Trade Unions, in which Central TUs AITUC, AICCTU, CITU, HMS, TUCC, UTUC and UTUC-LS as also All India Federations/Associations of employees in Bank, Insurance, Railways, Central and State government Departments, Telecom, Postal, Defence, Petroleum and other sectors are participants, a National Convention of Trade Unions was held on 9^th July 2005 at Mavlankar Hall Auditorium, New Delhi to discuss about the attacks on the working class and as also on the major demands on which the cental government is taking a very negative stand and to plan agitational programmes including strike. Though the United Progressive Alliance Government has come in to power defeating the BJP led NDA Alliance, it is continuing the same neo-liberal policies. The Convention denounced the Supreme Court pronouncement against the Right to Strike and demanded the Central Government to take appropriate steps to negate the pernicious impact of the said judgment. The Convention looked forward for a change  in the negative policy of the government towards a pro-worker stand. The government is yet to appoint  VI Central Pay Commission although delay has already taken place. Reduction in the interest rate on  EPF is to be withdrawn and former position restored.

After thorough discussion, the Convention adopted  a comprehensive Declaration with the following 16 Point Charter of Demands and Action Programme.

1. Comprehensive Legislation for Unorganised Workers
2. Improve  National Employment Guarantee Bill
3. Revive Sick PSUs
4. No Privatisation / Disinvestment of PSUs
5. No FDI hike in Telecom.
6. Ensure Employment to unemployed
7. No Downsizing of Workforce
8. Stop Contractorisation
9. Implementation of Labour Laws.
10. No Sexual Harassment at Work Place
11. Review Electricity Act
12. Right to Strike
13. Remove Ceiling on payment of Bonus
14. Raise Interest  on GPF/EPF etc.
15. Strengthen Public Distribution System.
16. Recover NPAs and Unpaid Tax Arrears from Corporates.

Action Programme:

20^th July – 20^th August 2005 : State/District/Sectoral Conventions

27^th August – 7^th September 2005 : Demonstrations/Rallies/Dharnas in all workplaces culminating in District/State level rallies

15^th September 2005: National mobilisation Day and serving Strike Notice

29^th September 2005: Country Wide General Strike

In continuation of the Sponsoring Committee Convention, a largely attended Covention of CPSU Workers was held which ratified the decision of the National Convention on the demands and the programmes, including General Strike on 29^th September 2005.

All the action programmes were implemented with massive participation in all parts of the country.

General Strike on 29^th September 2005.

The General Strike was a big success with massive participation of more than 6 crores, the largest strike so far called by the Central Trade Unions. The strike was complete in most of the sectors. Offices and Factories stood closed with nobody in attendance. Striking workers organised demonstrations in front of their offices/factories. In Kerala and W.Bengal, the strike was almost a Bandh with even shops being closed. Mass organisations conducted Rasta-Roko blocking trains and buses. The strike was historic both in number of participants and wider reach.

BSNL workers as per the call of BSNL Employees Union organised demonstrations in front of BSNL offices on 8th February 2022 in preparation and propaganda for the General Strike to be held on 28-29 March 2022. More programmes are expected including signature campaign.