Bhopal, October 1991. It was more than a bomb explosion. Com.O.P.Gupta, the undisputed General Secretary of All India Telecom Employees Union Class III for long 37 years was utterly defeated in a stiff contest in the Bhopal All India Conference held in the last week of October 1991. Com.Moni Bose was elected as General Secretary and myself as President. Out of more than 30 circles, we had majority in 7 circles only, but in the election we won, which was a complete surprise to all. Our propaganda against the wrong decisions taken by OPG which was against the interests of the workers have clinched. But we knew that OPG group will not sit idle and parallel list of office-bearers and dispute will come later as in 1971, when Com.K.G.Bose was elected as President of NFPTE.

So, when OPG tried through his supporters to forcibly take the ballot papers and other documents connected with  the election, the election officers headed by Com.J.Renganathan ( Com.Homi Daji, M.P. the former President and who  conducted the election having left the place) resisted and handed over the same to the newly elected General Secretary, Moni Bose. There was some tussle and move to manhandle us.

How to keep the ballots and records safe was one question. We took the help of the M.P. State Secretary of Income Tax Employees Federation of India, Com.Ramachandran. After two days Moni Bose and me started for Delhi. Since we had apprehension about the safety of the records on reaching Delhi, we took Com. Ramachandran also with us in the journey. The election records including the about 10,000 ballot papers (separate for office-bearers and 35 Federal Councillors), calculation sheets, 30 or so ballot boxes, seals etc were packed in two big sacks and taken along with us. We were full of anxiety as to what will happen when reaching Delhi.  We kept our journey schedule secret and no information was given to anybody about our arrival at Delhi, since there was apprehension about the safety of records and our own safety. What happened in the P IV Union earlier, when Com.K.Adinarayana won against the wishes of Com. OPG was well known to us. We had our own experiences in the Conferences, when our comrades were beaten. Better be prepared.

Our plan was to get down at Nizamuddin Railway Station and go to V.P.House or so, where Com.K.Adinarayana was staying or some other place to be safe. But on reaching the station we decided that we will get down in New Delhi Railway Station and face the situation boldly. Com.Ramachandran went to ITEF office from Nizamudin Station with the records.

It was a complete surprise! when we got down from the train 40 – 50 comrades led by Coms. Adinarayana, Secretary General NFPE, P.S.Raman Kutty, GS, T.III Union, Desh  Raj, GS P.IV and others were there to welcome us with union flags and shouting slogans. It seemed that they were more happy than us in the election victory. We were garlanded and led to the RMS office where a meeting was held.

Our anxiety was gone. We became bold. Yes, we had good support. We decided to go directly to Dada Ghosh Bhawan, the E.III Union Office. There was no problem. Gupta allotted one room for us and told that he will vacate building within one month handing over everything to the newly elected office bearers. Temporarily, there was truce.

(Our plan to keep the ballot papers and records safe had its advantages later  when OPG created dispute through parallel lists and court cases. It is another long story. Some time later about that.)

National Convention of Workers – 19-07-2010

As per the decision of the JAC, a National Convention of BSNL workers was held on 19th July 2010 at Mavlankar Hall New Delhi to give wide publicity to the problems of BSNL and to educate and prepare the workers for agitational programmes. The Convention was presided by Com.N.T.Sajwani, Chairman of JAC. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri Convener welcomed and also presented the draft declaration for discussion of the convention. Com.Basudev Acharya, Member of Parliament and senior leader of CITU inaugurated the Convention. Prominent Central T.U.leaders, Com.M.K.Pandhe, Vice-President CITU, Shri G.Sanjeeva Reddy, President, INTUC, Com.G.L.Dhar, Secretary AITUC, Com.Prabir Purkayastha, telecom expert and other leaders addressed the convention and supported the action programmes of the JAC.

The convention was also addressed by Coms. P.Abhimanyu (BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi (SNEA), C.Singh (NFTE), K.Vallinayagam (FNTO), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), V.Subburaman (TEPU), Hari Singh (BTU), N.D.Ram (SEWA BSNL), D.P.Patwa(AIBCTES), Shriwastava (WRU), and O.P.Gupta (NFTE). A large number of employees were mobilised from the nearby circles like Rajasthan, UP(W), Punjab, Haryana, H.P. and Uttarkhand.

As per the decision of the National Convention, circle level conventions were held with massive participation and addressed by the leaders of the JAC.

Strike postponed to 1-3 December 2010.

In view of the Bihar Assembly elections and Kerala local body elections, the JAC meeting  held on 23-09-2010 decided to postpone the three days strike from 19-21 October to 1-3 December 2010.  (To be continued)

July 11th, 2020 is the 60th anniversary of the start of the Historic Five Days Strike of the Central Government employees in 1960.

The strike was for acceptance of Need Based Minimum Wage per the 15th Indian Labour Conference approved formula as also for grant of automatic DA whenever the cost of living index is increased, as demanded by the unions. It was also against the retrograde recommendations of the II Central Pay Commission which only denied the justified demands of the workers and the unsympathetic stance of the central government.

Under the Joint Council of Action of the Central Government Employees Federations (AIRF, AIDEF, Confederation and NFPTE), the biggest Indefinite Strike in independent India started on the night of 11/12th July 1960, the anniversary of the 1946 P and T Strike. The government refused to negotiate despite continued efforts of the JCA, as also many Members of Parliament including Shri Feroze Gandhi, M.P.( Husband of Smt.Indira Gandhi). The government was adamant. Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru called the strike as ‘Civil Rebellion’ and utilised the entire government machinery to crush it. Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance (ESMO) was promulgated and thousands of workers were arrested, convicted, dismissed, suspended, terminated and charge sheeted. All India leaders were arrested and put in Tihar Jail. NFPTE Secretary General Com. P.S.R.Anjaneyulu was paraded through the streets of Delhi while sending to Tihar Jail. Never before India has seen such brutal attack on any strike in the country, not even in 1946 Postal Strike, when the British were the rulers.

It is to the credit of the workers and their loyalty to their organisation that the strike continued for long five days, despite severe repression and manhunt. The entire Railways, Postal and Telecom services- all were all badly affected. Unable to continue against the brutal attack of the government and victimisation, the strike was called off on the fifth day.

5 Railways workers in Dohad were killed by police firing. They are Coms. Ranjit Singh, Sakharam, Sitaram, Kripa Shankar and another comrade whose name is not known. Two comrades in Kerala, Com.Ekambaram from Telephones Palakkad and another Comrade from Trichur Postal Division, whose name is not known, committed suicide unable to face the victimisation and termination from service. Many workers were punished with rigorous imprisonment. Public, trade union leaders and outsiders were arrested for supporting the strike. Recognition of the federations/unions were withdrawn.

The workers faced these attacks with full confidence in their organisation and leaders. They knew that there is no other way to defend their rights and achieve justified demands. They saw the most cruel face of the so called ‘Socialist Pattern Government’.

PTTI and many other foreign trade unions as also the trade unions in the country supported the strike and demanded the government to vacate victimisation.   In the Parliament, Nehru government was put on the dock by eminent Members of Parliament like Comrades A.K.Gopalan, S.M.Banerjee, Nath Pai and many others, who demanded justice to the workers and vacation of all victimisation.

It took more than three years for the vacation of victimisation and re-recognition of the unions and federations. But the scars remained for a long time.

Though crushed, the 1960 strike was not in vain. For that matter, no struggle is in vain. The government was compelled to act against the price rise, appoint two Committees one after another to consider the demand of DA and has to start discussion with the unions on the constitution of negotiating machinery, the Joint Consultative Machinery(JCM).

As a participant of the historic strike, I have my own experiences, which I may narrate some time  later.

The 1960 strike has many lessons for the working class. The determination, dedication and sacrifice of the leaders and workers who were part  of the great struggle will ever be remembered.

The Central Govt. employees are once again on the struggle path. The working class are on struggle against the curtailment of trade union and labour rights, imposition of more working hours, privatisation of Public Sector Units etc. etc. Utilising the Covid situation, Mody Government wants to steam roller its anti – people policies.

On this 60th anniversary of the epic strike of 1960, Red Salute to all the participants of the strike and especially to those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle! 1960 Strike has given the message that the workers will never surrender to the anti-worker policy of the government.

8th July 2020 is the 106th Birth Anniversary of Com. Jyoti Basu, the veteran leader of the CPI(M) and Chief Minister of W.Bengal for long 33 years from 21-06-1977 to 05-11-2000. He was one of the PB Members of the CPI(M) from its formation till his death. He was one of the founders of CITU and was its Vic-President since its inception.

Com.Jyoti Basu, as a trade union leader was closely connected with the trade union movement in P and T. He has mentioned about the 1946 Postal Strike and the mammoth Rally held in W.Bengal on July 29th 1946 in support of the strike called by AITUC, the only national trade union on those days. He inaugurated the P and T House, union office of NFPTE, Kerala  in Trivandrum on 27th September 1989. He attended and addressed many Conferences of the  NFPTE Unions.

I remember the opportunity I got as the General Secretary of the BSNLEU to meet him in a Conference and discuss with him about the telecom issues and request him as the Chief Minister to ensure telecom services in the government offices in W.Bengal fully from the BSNL. He was very sympathetic and assured to do the needful.

He was one of the tall leaders of the Left in the country. The opponents were so jealous and afraid of his popularity that they made more than one attempt to murder him, but failed. He was a the leader who effectively and strategically put an end to the Congress misrule in W.Bengal.

Red Salute to Com. Jyoti Basu on his 106th birth anniversary!

Senior Citizens Friends Welfare Association (SCFWA), Kerala is completing 14 years of fruitful service to the elder people of the state. Formed on 9th July 2006 at the initiative of a few friends, the association has grown in to the largest welfare association of the senior citizens,those aged above 60, in Kerala.

During the last 14 years, the association has taken issues of the elder persons, including health issues, treatment, security, living with dignity and without being harassed, financial security etc. The present Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, led by Com.Pinarayi Vijayan has taken effective steps for security and social justice to the elderly, though much is yet to be done. Social Security Pension of Rs.1,300 is being paid monthly and the same is paid at their home, who are invalid or unable to go out. SCFWA has demanded that it should be increased to Rs. 5,000 per month. Towards this target, the government is increasing Rs. 100 every year. Social security pension by the Central government is only a paltry amount of Rs. 200 per month. It has to be increased. Police have been directed to go to the houses of the elderly and ensure their security and well being.

Senior citizens Council is formed at state and districts by the state government under the chairmanship of the Minister at the state level and head of the local self government institutions at the Corporation/Panchayat levels with representatives of the association, which discuss the issues connected with the welfare of the aged people. Old Age Homes are also organised by the Government in addition to those run by private institutions.

SCFWA is publishing a monthly journal ‘Vayojana Vartha’ with details of the government programmes, organisational matters and also general issues of the senior citizens. The Association is headed a committee headed by Shri V.A.N.Namboodiri as President and Shri Amaravila Ramakrishnan s General Secretary.

Warm Greetings to all senior citizens on the 15th Foundation Day of SCFWA!

AUAB expresses anguish and resentment over cancellation of the 4G tender.

An online meeting of the AUAB was held today. Representatives of all the major organisations, viz., BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, BSNL MS, SNATTA, BSNL ATM, TEPU and BSNL OA, participated. The meeting expressed it’s anguish and resentment over cancellation of BSNL’s 4G tender. Delay in the implementation of the assurances given in the Revival Package and deteriorating quality of BSNL’s services, we’re also taken serious note of. The non-payment salary on the due date, as well as non-availability of cashless treatment for the employees, at a time when the COVID-19 is spreading fast, were deliberated in depth. Finally, the meeting has taken decisions for an agitational programme. A detailed circular of the AUAB will be issued tomorrow. (courtesy: BSNLEU Website)

[Date : 06 – Jul – 2020]

Com.K.G.Bose, the Guiding Star of P and T and CG employees’ Movement

7th July 2020 is the 100th birth anniversary of Comrade Krishna Gopal Basu (Com.K.G.Bose), who transformed the P and T as also the Central Government employees trade union movement in to a fighting force based on the working class ideology and progressive thoughts. He was an employee of the Posts and Telegraphs Department for only about 7 years having been dismissed in connection with the proposed strike in 1949, but his entire life was dedicated and sacrificed for the cause of the Central and P and T employees in particular and the working class in general.
He was born as the third son of his parents Shri Jaya Gopal Basu and Smt. Nivanani Basu. Jaya Gopal Basu was a teacher, as also a well-known poet and writer. Both his father and elder brother died in an accident in 1926 and his eldest brother became invalid due to serious illness and passed away in 1937. KG’s mother had to struggle hard to maintain the family consisting of KG, younger brothers and sisters. Both KG and brother Moni completed their studies with the help from Ramakrishna Mission. First KG worked in a private company and then got appointed as a clerk in the office of the Divisional Engineer Telegraphs, Calcutta in 1941. It was a great relief to the struggling family. While studying he was very active in the Marxist Study Group there.
From his joining the department, he became active in the Indian Telegraph Association (ITA) formed by the great pioneer, Henry Barton. He became Branch Secretary in no time. His brother Moni Bose also got job in the same office in 1945.

There were a number of unions in P and T at that time, including All India Post Office and RMS Union started by Babu Tarapada Mukherjee, Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union started by V.G.Dalvi Bar-at-Law and Indian Telegraph Association. Most of them were led by reformist leadership.

It was at this time that the Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union declared indefinite strike from 11th July 1946. Although started as Postmen strike it spread to all wings of the P and T Department. Under the inspiring leadership of Coms.B.N.Ghosh (Dada Ghosh) and K.G.Bose the strike was complete in Posts and Telegraphs in Bengal. The strike and rally organized by the Trade Unions in support of the strike on 29th July 1946 in Calcutta was the biggest rally in the city till that time, participated by about 15 lakhs workers engulfing the entire city.

The strike spread throughout India and the British Government was compelled to discuss with the unions and fully concede the major 12 demands raised in the strike notice. After 23 days, strike was withdrawn on 3rd August 1946. It was a big success. In Bengal the strike continued for three more days and another demand “Good Conduct Pay” was achieved. The P and T Strike in 1946 is considered as part of the great freedom movement as in the case of the Naval Mutiny.

In the formation of the Union of P and T Workers (UPTW) in 1946, merging most of the Unions in P and T, though a youngster, K.G.Bose took a prominent role. The strike planned by UPTW in 1949 could not materialize since all the leaders and many of the delegates who reached Madras for the Supreme Council to take final decision were arrested and jailed. Com. K.G.Bose and many others were arrested from Calcutta itself and jailed. The proposed strike was crushed ruthlessly.

Both Coms. K.G.Bose and Moni Bose were dismissed / terminated from service in connection with the 1949 strike. The case against the dismissal of KG continued for a long time, but finally his dismissal was confirmed in 1961. Moni also was not reinstated.

KG became a full time union worker. National Federation of P and T Employees (NFPTE) was formed on 24th November 1954 through the realignment scheme, merging all the existing unions in the Federation. Through the realignment, a Federation with nine affiliated all India unions was constituted. It was a great achievement in bringing unity. Com.K.G. became one of the most important leaders of NFPTE in Bengal.
The 5 Days Glorious Strike of 1960 by the Central government employees was the biggest strike in Independent India till that time, participated by lakhs of workers. Com.KG took a leading role. Com.K.G.Bose was elected as the Circle Secretary of the Postal Class III Union and later elected as the All India President in 1963.
12th July Committee, a Co-ordination Committee of Central, State, Public Sector, Local Self-Government Employees’ Unions etc. was formed in Bengal in 1966. He was elected as its first Joint Convener appreciating his great contribution in bringing the unions together to form the Committee.

Com.K.G. Bose toured all over India in preparation and for organizing the One Day Token Strike of Central government employees in 1968. The central government dealt the strike in a ferocious way arresting, terminating, dismissing and punishing tens of thousands of workers. 17 comrades became martyrs to the brutalities of the police / CRPF and also crushed under the trains when picketing. Com.K.G. along with others made herculean efforts for vacating the victimization.
The fight against the reformist and revisionist leadership continued. In 1970 Vijayawada Federal Council, contest took place and defeating the revisionist leadership, KG Bose was elected as the President of NFPTE with Com. A.S.Rajan as the Secretary General. For the first time in the history of NFPTE, a Worker President was elected. Till that time, it was only Members of Parliament or Central TU leaders, who were elected as President.

In the next Federal Council held in 1971 at Calcutta, OP Gupta group floated a parallel list of office-bearers and disrupted NFPTE. Some of the affiliated unions and the Confederation of CG employees were also disrupted.
In 1969, KG was elected as an MLA in W.Bengal Assembly and later nominated as a Member of the Pay Commission for the State Government employees. Both the responsibilities he fulfilled with credit.

Com. K.G.Bose played an inspiring role in the massively participated P and T Convention, EDA Convention and Bonus Convention held at Delhi in 1972. It was a show of strength by the KG-Iyer-Adi progressive leadership in the Federation.
All these hectic activities had a disastrous effect on his health. On a checkup it was found that the dreaded cancer has caught with him. But he continued his work without break.

It was during this period in 1973 that he came to Calicut. He was given a warm reception at the Railway Station by hundreds of P and T and sister unions and he addressed largely attended meetings. We never knew at that time that he was suffering from cancer. He did not tell also.

He was taken to London for expert treatment. But to the extreme sorrow of all, sad news came that our dear Com.K.G. left us forever on 11th December 1974. He was only 53. He left behind his wife Smt. Parul Bose, a trade union leader herself and their son Dipankar Bose and family. KG’s younger brother Com.Moni Bose was also in the leadership of the movement and was the first Patron of the BSNL Employees Union and earlier General Secretary of the E.III Union.

The following extract from his letter from London Hospital to the Calcutta Comrades shows his anxiety and keen interest in workers, even when was seriously ill:
“I want to survive and continue my uncompromising fight against all injustices and in this struggle I am not alone. Thousands and thousands of comrades are with me and they are the source of my inspiration…. “We cannot be a party to any proposal which may be considered as surrender of the principled stand by the common workers”.
The own building of BSNL Employees Union in Delhi purchased in 2010 was named “ K.G.Bose Bhawan” in his memory.

I had a long association with Com.K.G. since 1963 when I met him at the Trivandrum All India Conference of E.III Union and where his intervention with the P and T Board Member Mr. Sen Gupta resulted in the cancellation of Rule 14 charge sheets imposed on me and other 7 others for organizing a strike at Kannur. Since then, in the All India Conferences and Federal Council Meetings he was the guiding force for all of us. He visited Calicut twice on our invitation and addressed widely attended meetings. The P and T Union office at Calicut is also named after him and inaugurated by his wife Com. Parul Bose, probably the first building dedicated to his memory.

It is heartening to note that the birth centenary of Com. KG Bose is being observed for one year from 7th July 2020 by various organizations.

In this juncture, when more and more attacks are coming against the working class and whatever gains they achieved through struggles are being taken away, the memory of Com.K.G.Bose will strengthen us to continue our struggle and forward march.

Com.K.G.Bose was the guide, ideologue and leader, who led the P and T and CG employees movement on the correct path. He was a Shining Star for a whole generation of young comrades like me.

Red salute to Com.K.G.Bose, the Revolutionary Leader!

–

CHAPTER- 10
DISCONTENTMENT MOUNTS OR 1946 STRIKE

The all India Postman and Lower Grade staff Union being dissatisfied with the Adjudicator’s Award called a meeting of the Council on the 22nd of June, 1946, and took a decision for serving the Govt. with strike notice. Accordingly, Shri. V G Dalvi served the Govt. with a 14 days strike notice and members of the Postmen and Lower Grade Staff of India struck work with effect from the 11th July 1946.

The All India Postmen and Lower Grade staff Union from the organisational point of view, was weak. It had not within its fold at that time more than 30% of the total strength as its members. Of the remaining 70%, the All India Postal and RMS Union was commanding 35%, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Union had barely 5% of the staff as members and the rest 30% were unorganized. Although the Postman Union was not very strong in 1946, yet I feel no hesitation to say that the decision of the Union to launch a strike was a timely one. As the bulk of the Postmen and Cl.IV employees in Bengal and Assam were members of the All India Postal and RMS Union, the others who were members of the Postmen Union in Calcutta became hesitant and could not take a decision to join the strike without getting an assurance help from the other unions. The Bengal Assam Postal and RMS Provincial Union had to give an assurance of active help and co-operation firstly to see that the strike does not fizzle out and secondly to arrest the desertion of the union by its Postmen members who were found to be restive at that time. As has already been stated above in the entire circle excepting in Calcutta, Dacca, Chittagong and Shillong most of the Postmen and Lower Grade staff were members of the All India Postal and RMS Union. Even in those cities, the membership was divided amongst the three unions, viz Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union, Postal and RMS Union and the Indian Posts and Telegraph Union. The Postmen Union in Calcutta arranged a meeting on the eve of strike to decide as to whether it should abide by the decision of its central union and join the strike. This meeting was held in the Arya samaj Hall and was attended not only by the Postmen and Class IV workers, but also by the clerks. The hall was fully packed. The organizers of the Postmen Union had invited the leaders of other P&T unions but I was not one of those fortunate invitees and so could not be on the dais. As an employee of the department I could not wait for an invitation specially at this critical hour. It was with great difficulty that I could take my stand in a corner of the packed hall and found Shri. Birendra Nath Ghosh, M.A.B.L Hony Secretary All India Postal RMS Union , Calcutta Branch and Shri. K.D.Roy Choudhary ,M.A.B.L Hon’y secretary, all India Postal and RMS Union, RMS Branch were already on the dais by the side of Shri. Rohini Ray, Bar-at-Law, the General Secretary of All India Postmen and Lower grade staff Union, Bengal Provincial Union. I could not guess as to what would be the stand of those seated on the dais. I was eagerly waiting for a chance to address the meeting. Shri.Ray and other leaders of Postmen Union addressed the meeting. Most of the speakers were found to be shaky and could not give a correct lead to the gathering. The whole house was found to be agitated and waiting a clarion call to join the strike. For the time being there was great pandemonium and the house became uncontrollable. It is strange enough for me that just at the time there was a demand from all corners of the house that B.N.Ghosh (myself) should be invited to address the gathering if I was present there. I made my way to the dais, addressed the gathering for an hour and issued a clarion call to join the struggle to a man. I do not boast it is a fact that I was able to carry the entire house with me. They cast cent per cent vote in favour of strike. The Chairman of the meeting declared the strike decision amidst loud cheers.
I on behalf of the Postal and RMS Union of Bengal and Assam held out an assurance to them that we would stand by them and would shortly follow suit. The result of this assurance was marvellous. The vast gathering at least for the moment forgot the difference between class III and Class IV employees and the house dispersed with slogans of “Postal Class III and Class IV Zindabad”.

As this was a strike in post war period when there was all round labour unrest due to higher cost of living and demobilization of war service workers and Britishers were showing reluctant to quit India, the public support and sympathy were with the strikers. All the leftist political parties and the trade unions stood by the workers but it has to be kept on record that shortly after the strike commenced, Dewan Chaman Lal , President of the Posts and Telegraph Federation began his anti-trade union activities and, if I remember it right, he issued the first press statement depreciating the strike launched by the Postmen Union and had the “goodness” to say that the Federation had no sympathy for the strike which had been declared illegal by the Govt. Shortly after this, Dr.Noronah General Secretary of the Indian Telegraph Association issued a similar press statement and Com. M A Jabbar , General Secretary, All India Posts and Telegraph Union , followed suit and issued a statement in the press against the strike.

Such anti trade union activities of three great leaders of the P&T movement upset me altogether and no other way but to call a press conference in Calcutta and issue a statement which runs as follows: “The strike launched by the Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union is quite legal and we have every sympathy for them and none of the members of the Postal and RMS Union should work as a strike breaker by working in place of the strikers”. This statement of mine created enthusiasm in the workers throughout India and our members also became jubilant and began showing their eagerness to fall in with those who were already on the march.

There were developments in quick succession. The Postmen of Shillong who were members of Postmen and Lower Grade staff Union had gone on strike. The Dy.Postmaster General , Shillong range issued order on twelve Postmen of Sylhet which is the neighbouring district of Shillong, to proceed there and work in place of strikers. On the strength of the directive issued by me, they refused to go to Shillong and boldly defied the order and told the authorities that they were not prepared to act as strike breakers. All these officials were placed under suspension. Order was thereafter issued on 12 Postmen of Dhubri to proceed to Shillong but they also refused to carry out the order and had to share the same fate. The matter did not rest here. The Postal authority of Shillong range in their zeal for keeping the work of Shillong in a smooth running condition, ordered another batch of 12 Postmen from Gauhati to proceed to Shillong. They not only refused to go but lay down in front of the office and took a vow not to move unless the orders were cancelled. This news spread like wild fire and the Posts and Telegraphs workers of Bengal and Assam became greatly agitated and strike minded. (To be continued)

Procurement of equipments

The Joint Forum of BSNL Unions and  Associations met on  1st January 2010 and discussed the latest situation with regard to the development and expansion of BSNL services and connected matters. The cancellation of the 45.5 million mobile tender by BSNL has created a serious situation for BSNL with no mobile lines to provide. The company which was in the first position had gone down to the third position  in the mobile sector, while keeping its first position in landlines. Total market share has gone down to 16.38% from the earlier 20%. More lines have to be purchased urgently. Under these circumstances, the JF decided to organise the following agitational programmes demanding immediate tender and purchase of 93 million mobile line for expansion.

1.Telegram Campaign: Circle / District / Branch secretaries to send the following telegram to the Prime Minister so as to reach before 6th January 2010. To Shri Manmohan Singh Prime Minister New Delhi. ” KINDLY INTERVENE TO SAVE BSNL BY IMMEDIATE FINALISATION OF 93 MILLION GSM LINES” – Name of Circle/District Branch Secretary.

Memorandum to the Prime Minister

A Memorandum  dated 5th January 2010 was submitted to the Prime Minister with the same demands. It was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), Convener, G.L.Jogi(SNEA), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), V.Subburaman (TEPU), B.R.Jhakatia(SEWA BSNL), Hukam Singh (SNATTA), and Devi Prasad (AIBCTES).

The JF leaders met Communications Minister A.Raja on 4th January and requested the intervention of the Minister to speed up the 93 million GSM tender.

Retrograde recommendations of Sam Pitroda committee

The retrograde recommendations of the committee headed by Sam Pitroda, former secretary DOT and telecom expert, raised sharp reactions from the workers. It proposed 30% disinvestment in BSNL, retrenchment of one lakh workers, unbundling of the copper cables, outsourcing of works etc. The Joint Forum conducted a detailed study and submitted its suggestions. In its meeting on 10th and 15th March 2010, JF discussed the issue in detail and decided to strongly protest and go on agitation.  The following programmes were decided:

1.One Day Dharna on 26-03-2010  2. Indefinite strike from 20-04-2010.

In order to bring NFPTE back in to JF ( which has discontinued from the JF some time back), the name of the JF was changed in to Joint Action Committee and the new office bearers were elected with Com. M.B.Vichare (NFPTE) as Chairman and Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU) as Convener. NFTE was keeping away from the JF after the membership verification and all wanted no embarrassment to them while joining back.

Strike Notice served.

Strike Notice with the following demands were served on the BSNL Management on 23-03-2010 after a massive demonstration participated by hundreds of workers at corporate office. All over India, the demonstrations were participated by thousands.

1. Settle ITS Absorption issue.
2. No disinvestment, no privatization of BSNL
3. No retrenchment, No VRS
4. No unbundling of last mile copper and other infrastructure
5. No outsourcing
6. Immediate procurement of mobile lines
7. Ensure IDA Pension Revision to BSNL pensioners.
9. The strike notice was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri(BSNLEU) Convener, N.T.Sajwani (NFPTE) Chairman,  K.Vallinayagam (FNTO), V.Subburaman (TEPU), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), G.L.Jogi (SNEA), S.P.Sharma (BSNLWRU), K.Anil Kumar (ATM), Sathyanarayana (AIBSNLEA), N.D.Ram (SEWA BSNL), Hari Singh (BTU BSNL), D.P.Patwa (AIBCTES) and H.P.Singh (BSNLOA).  (To be continued)

CHAPTER – VIII
GATEHERING STORM

Since the day of termination of war in the East, the Post and Telegraph workers of Bengal and Assam including those working in RMS C and N Divisions which were under the control of the P.M.G. Bihar and Orissa respectively, became restive. The apprehended disbandment from Defence of India Corps (P&T), a measure which would substantially reduce their monthly emoluments at a time which the cost of living was not only exorbitantly high but was continually going up and up so the discontentment were brewing. The officials in their large members throughout India who had been working in the P&T Department for years together as temporary staff apprehended from the department to make room for the war service candidate in whose favour orders were already issued by the Government, which created discontentment and dissatisfaction amongst them. The political situation in the country was uncertain and the Trade Unions were also making all efforts to consolidate the working class movement. The P&T movement in India specially in war affected areas like Calcutta and Bengal and Assam took a turn. Eight young Postal Officials of Calcutta started a Reorganisation Party with the object of revitalizing the P&T Trade Union movement by placing it on a democratic foundation and to win the objective through mass movement. Their small organization rapidly gained in strength by their activities which were of new type. They were able to spread magnetic influence over the entire youngsters of Calcutta and outside. The twelve mass meetings which they arranged in different Post Offices in Calcutta during October and November 1945 created mass enthusiasm amongst the workers. The last meeting which was held in Calcutta G.P.O on the 7-11-45 was memorable one. The rally was attended by thousands. Those who addressed the meeting issued a clarion call to the workers to be prepared for any sacrifice. I had occasion to address most of these meetings. One of our leaders had described the speeches delivered by some of the youngsters to be of highly explosive nature and declared that they were preaching sedition. The police took note of it. I had to defend those youngsters. I remember to have said “We do not believe in sedition but let it be noted by all present here that we no longer believe in petitions as well.” On the Eighteenth of December 1956 under the leadership of Shri.Kamble, the General Secretary of All India Postal and RMS Union, we met Shri.Krishna Prasad, the then D.G.P&T at Delhi and placed the demands for substantial increases in dearness allowances, specially in Bengal and Assam where the Defence of India Corps was disbanded with effect from the 30-11-45 and the staff were in extreme hardships. During the discussion with the D.G. P&T, I had occasion to tell him that we had gone to him for the last time like the five Pandavas asking for five villages only, viz, increase in dearness allowance, and if that would not be granted there would be Kurukshetra War. This threat even was of no avail. The All India Conference of Postal and RMS Union had already, under pressure of the progressive group in the Union, taken a militant programme and was preparing for the Hungry Badge Campaign. The reorganization party of Calcutta, whose membership had swelled to several hundreds, took decision to spread their activities throughout India and had actually issued leaflets to all parties of India. This reorganization party came into existence with the bold object in view, firstly to make the entire organization a democratic and a fighting institution to look after the welfare of the P&T workers and secondly to run it on trade union principles, not free from politics which is needed to secure full socio-economic justice for the workers. Anyhow, sometime after the Reorganisation party came in to existence, I found myself to be a member of the party, but I had no occasion to attend any of their executive meetings. Nevertheless I could feel that the eight persons who took initiative to organize the party belonged to three, if not four, distinct schools of thought and ideology, and yet could work together for a common purpose which was to turn the entire P&T movement in to a fighting organization. It is difficult to say what was going on in other parts of India but in Uttar Pradesh, the leaders of All India Postal and RMS Union were able to enroll a large number of Engineering workers as members of the U.P.T.R.(I), the new name given to the Postal and RMS Union . The leaders of the I.P.T.U in Madras presidency were trying to bring unification in the organization and in the movement through the newly established Federation. Rightly or wrongly from the very beginning due to various reasons I had my dislike for this federation. However our union leaders took a decision to make best uses of it. The President of the Federation Dewan Chaman Lal and many others leaders of other unions and a few in the All India Postal and RMS Union itself pleaded for suspending the Hungry Badge Campaign which was to be started on the 16th of February. I disagreed. Earlier the Director General of Posts and Telegraphs had threatened Bihar Union leaders with punishment for launching the Badge campaign. The All India Conference at Mymensingh had accepted the challenge thrown by the D.G.P&T to the Bihar Union leaders, it was therefore considered not to suspend the contemplated campaign but to go on with the programme without caring for the opposition. The Federation and the Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union simultaneously served the Govt. with a strike notice on the 24th February 1946 on the demands for revision of scale of pay of post-31 officials only. The Government forth with referred the matter to Adjudication and Justice Rajadhyaksha was appointed Adjudicator. The terms of reference fixed by the Government was, “As to what little interim benefit could be given to the entrants”. On the 5th March, The Executive Committee of the Federation assembled at Western Court New Delhi. The All India Council of the Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union had met separately on the very date to discuss and decide as to whether to accept the adjudication or not. The postman union’s decision was in favour of accepting the adjudication. The Federation followed suit. The General Council and the Executive Committee of all the federating unions also met at the time in Delhi. The Western Court Meeting of the Federation was attended by the representatives of all the unions. It was a gathering of eighty stalwarts. Dewan Chaman Lal and Shri D.K.Lahiri Choudhury influenced the house to adopt a similar resolution to that of the Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union and accepted the adjudication. I was the singular person to oppose it and suggested for boycott of adjudication proceedings but could not carry the house and walked out of the meeting alone. The adjudicator was not appointed to adjudicate over the demands for which the strike notice was served. Hence it was irregular on the part of the Federation to accept it.

Earlier on the 7th February, 1946 the Central Legislature had adopted a non- official resolution urging upon the Govt. to appoint a Pay Commission for revising the pay scales of the entire Central Government Employees. This resolution was practically sponsored by the P&T Unions. The Government thereupon had announced its decision for appointment of pay commission. Efforts were thus made to check the movement from within and outside by adopting this two fold method. Despite, the P&T workers movement continued to progress.

The decision taken at the Western Court meeting in favour of accepting adjudication which was appointed not to consider the demands put forth in the strike notice but some other new issues and for withdrawal of strike notice created annoyance not only in the mass of the workers but also in a section of leaders which found exposition through my walking out of the meeting. The postmen union had taken earlier decision in favour of adjudication and cancellation of strike notice and their decision to some extent influenced the leaders of the Federation and the federating unions which had served strike notice separately, to take a similar decision. Besides the entire central leadership in the Federation and in the federating unions which from the very beginning never meant going on strike and was vacillating all through, took it as an additional plea for cancellation of strike notice. Among those who were against withdrawal of strike notice and were in favour of going Sahay Srivastava, Basanta K Chakravarthy were the prominent persons. I myself it goes without saying, shared the views held by Sri.Raj Bahadur and others and could be one of those who led the opposition. Shri.Sati Raman Prasad M.A.B.L, an eminent lawyer of Muzaffarpur who was then the General Secretary of the then Bihar and Orissa Provincial Branch of the All India Postal and RMS Union and was found in the first days’ meeting to associate with the opposition group, on the second day crossed the floor and joined hands with Sarbasree Dewan Chaman Lal , D.K.Lahiri Choudhry Dr.G Noronah P.C.Chatterjee, B .S Kamble and M.A Jabbar as it seemed opposed to direct action in any shape including “Hungry Badge Campaign”. While the mass of the workers who were under extreme economic pressure wanted to ameliorate their wretched service conditions and improve their economic life through trial of strength but the bureaucracy’s agents in the Unions and in the Federation were acting in a different way in the interest of the Govt, which was playing tactics anyhow to delay matters and ultimately kill the movement. (To be continued)