Covid Lock Down period – Not a lock down of the mind or body.

09 Saturday May 2020

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Through out the world the attack of Coronavirus has taken away more than 2,70,000 lives and many more people are tested positive and under treatment.  In India also, it is spreading.

Lock Down is declared and people are at home. Strict instructions are there that aged and children should strictly follow health  instructions, since they are more prune to the coronavirus.

But Lock Down does not mean that you should be inactive or lazy. This is the time for reading, writing, contacting your friends and relatives, using the social media, making the lost time with your family etc etc. There are so many things you wanted to do, but could not do due to lack of time. Now this is the time for that pending matters.

Take exercise, walk inside your home, take your medicines and food in time and ensure required sleep and rest.

By the time the Lock Down is over, you will more fresh and energetic.

Aged had faced many challenges before. Now also let us face the challenge.

Prime Minister should intervene to save BSNL

09 Saturday May 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, AUAB, BSNL, BSNLEU

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Despite many assurance about the Revival of BSNL, the government is trying to scuttle the efforts of BSNL to purchase 4 G equipment and start services. Objections raised by the private companies are being considered and tender being frozen. AUAB has strongly opposed and wide publicity is given in the press also.

If the government is sincere about the Revival of BSNL, then immediate action is to be taken to purchase equipment on the basis of the tenders floated and start 4 G services.

The Prime minister should intervene and set right the matter.

MAY 9: WFTU HONORS THE 75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT ANTIFASCIST VICTORY OF THE PEOPLE

09 Saturday May 2020

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ANTIFASCIST VICTORY

On May 9, 1945, the monster of Nazism was annihilated in Berlin by the peoples and the working class of the world that had in its vanguard the heroic Red Army.

The World Federation of Trade Unions, which today has more than 100 million workers in its ranks from 130 countries across the world, honors this historically important anniversary and pays tribute to the millions of martyrs of our class who crushed the Nazi-fascist threat. We do not forget the victims of Nazi atrocities anywhere in the world, nor the 4 Heroic Cities, proclaimed as such on May 1, 1945 in the Red Square: Leningrad, Stalingrad, Odessa and Sevastopol.

The WFTU is the child of this effort, the culmination of this Victory, since it was founded in Paris, in the same year as the Antifascist Victory. In fact, the leading role of the working class, of the thousands of trade unionists who gave their lives, constitutes proof of the vanguard role of the working class in the fight against fascism and in the honor of humanity itself.

Today, the importance of this Victory is more topical than ever. In a period when the capitalists and their governments, the USA and the EU are trying to falsify history and erase the colossal contribution of the peoples, of the Soviet Union, of the partisan movements in the victory over fascism, our task is even more urgent. Peoples’ enemies did not even hesitate to characterize May 9 as “Europe Day” in order to change the true content of this date.

Today, in a time period in which neo-fascism and the extreme right is on the rise, under the tolerance or even the energetic support of the capitalist states, it is a duty of the class union movement not to let memory be erased, not to let historical truth be forgotten. The class unions must inform, spread the truth to the new generation of trade unionists.

May 9 continues to inspire the workers of the world, it gives them strength and teaches them faith in their strength; it will continue to show them the way against exploitation, no matter how much ink is spilled by the enemies of the working class. It will be an example to follow in the struggles of the future and in the complex tasks that will come for class unions around the world.

The WFTU is committed to keeping alive the spark of historical memory for workers around the world.

Long live May 9 !

Long live the Great Antifascist Victory of the Peoples!

The Secretariat WFTU

Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -7 Meeting with CMD BSNL on 22nd July 2006.

08 Friday May 2020

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Meeting with CMD BSNL on22nd July 2006.

In the backdrop of the decisions taken by the Joint Forum and the serious preparations for the agitational programmes including strike, a meeting was arranged by the CMD BSNL Shri A.K.Sinha on 22nd July 2006. BSNL senior officers were also present.
Detailed discussions took place in the meeting, the gist of which is given below:
1. No Disinvestment of BSNL – The Joint Forum strongly opposed to the proposal of IPO worth 10% of the paid up capital over and above the existing shares, which will be only moving to privatization. CMD stated that there is no requirement of additional funds now and that there need not be any apprehension about IPO.
2. No unbundling of local loop – Though a committee under the chairmanship of Secretary DOT has been formed, no decision has been taken so far in the matter. The committee will look in to all options. He also mentioned that the earlier assurance of the Minister in this matter still holds good.
3. No sharing of BSNL infrastructure – The JF strongly opposed the move to share BSNL infrastructure. The move to erect towers of private companies in BSNL premises was also pointed out. CMD stated there is no proposal at present.
The JF also demanded that there should be no reduction in revenue sharing by the private companies. The delay in grant of Navaratna status to BSNL was pointed out with the demand that it should be granted early. The immediate need for grant of autonomy for BSNL, Expansion of Mobile and Broadband services and amicable settlement of ITS absorption issue were also discussed.
Demonstrations on 27th July and sending of Telegrams to the Prime minister were successfully organized. (To be continued).

COVID 19 – AIBDPA donates Rs. 23 lakhs to Kerala CMRDF

08 Friday May 2020

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Kerala Circle AIBDPA has donated Rs. 23,03,899 to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) and the same was announced in the daily Press Conference of the Chief Minister.  The amount was collected and paid to CMDRF as per the call of the AIBDPA CHQ in the COVID  -19 situation to collect donation and pay to PMDRF or CMDRF.

Despite the difficulty in collecting during the Covid situation, the district secretaries ensured that maximum collection is made.

Congratulations to Kerala Comrades for the best efforts in contributing to the Fund.

Dept of Posts outsource Postal functions – Strong protest by NFPE

08 Friday May 2020

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The Department of Posts has issued orders for outsourcing of important customer care services like Booking of Registered and Speed post articles, eMO, acceptance of deposits in Post office Savings Bank accounts and Acceptance of PLI and RPLI proposals and premiums to a private company. The company will function in the Post Office itself. This is as per the privatization, liberalisation policy of the government. A major portion  of the Post office work will be privatised this way.

NFPE has strongly protested and demanded that the outsourcing should be withdrawn.

 

Visakhapatnam Gas leak tragedy – 11 precious lives lost

07 Thursday May 2020

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Gas leak from a chemical company at Visakhapatnam has resulted in loss of 11 precious lives and more than 5000 people are in hospital as per reports. It is also reported that serious lapses were there in safety and security level. The sad memory of the ghastly Bhopal tragedy is still in our minds, which took away precious lives of hundreds and made life miserable for many more.

Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families! Let us hope that there will not be further toll of valuable human lives.

Conspiracy to deny 4G equipment supply to BSNL – AUAB writes to the Prime Minister, seeking his intervention..

07 Thursday May 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, AUAB, BSNL, BSNLEU

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The TEPC (Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council), an association of the Indian Telecom Equipment Manufactures, has complained to the government that, BSNL has violated the “Make in India” policy, in the procurement of 4G equipments. In the 4G tender floated by BSNL on 20.03.2020, the BSNL is laid down the following two conditions.

The bidding company should have the previous experience of providing 20 million 4G line network.
The bidding company should have Rs.8,000 crore turn over in the previous two financial years.

Both these conditions are very much required to ensure the quality of 4G equipments and also their prompt supply. Based on the complaint of the TEPC, the Commerce Department and the DoT have objected to BSNL’s tender. The whole intention of the TEPC is to see BSNL does not start it’s 4G service. If BSNL does not launch it’s 4G service expeditiously, naturally it is the private companies like Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea which are going to get benefitted. So, we can understand whose hands are there behind the complaint of TEPC. Similar conspiracies have been hatched earlier also, to kill BSNL. Now, it has become the duty of the unions and associations of BSNL to ensure that BSNL gets 4G equipments from this tender. As a first step, the AUAB has written to the Prime Minister, seeking his intervention. If necessary, the AUAB has to take more serious steps to ensure that, BSNL gets 4G equipments. (courtesy: bsnleu website.)

Blocking BSNL 4G Tender – PM, Communications Minister should intervene.

07 Thursday May 2020

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History is repeating.

After the declaration of the  Communications minister on BSNL Revival, BSNL management has started preparation for 4 G introduction and called for global tenders. But again the private telecom companies through various sources are trying to to stop it and  on the complaint of the TEPC, the tender is being delayed or dropped. This is a repetition what happened earlier when BSNL called for tenders for 4.5 crore and 9 crore mobile equipment.

All Unions Associations of BSNL has written to the Prime Minister and Communications Minister to seek their intervention for clearing the tender and stopping unnecessary intervention by private companies etc.

The Government should act quickly to save BSNL.

Historic Railway Strike 1974 – A saga of struggle and sacrifice.

06 Wednesday May 2020

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There is no parallel for the historical and glorious strike of the Railway workers in May 1974, which continued for more than three weeks. The strike was to start from 8th May 1974, but the arrest of top leaders including Com. George Fernandez, Secretary General of AIRF, resulted in the strike a few days earlier. The entire railways system collapsed due to the strike. Thousands of trains were stranded due to the strike.

The government used all its repressive machinery against the workers. 5 comrades became martyrs. Lakhs of workers were arrested, jailed, dismissed and terminated. Railway colonies were closed, family members evacuated, electricity cut and even women and children attacked. It was a saga of struggle and sacrifice.

P and T Employees and other central government employees in Kerala, Bengal etc. participated for three days, but could not continue due to repression.

8th May 2020 is the 46th anniversary of this great struggle. On this day we remember those martyrs and other comrades who challenged the government and fought for their rights including Bonus!

I am giving below how Com. A.K.Gopalan, M.P., the veteran workers leader, reacted when he was informed of the cruel treatment of the Railway workers and families at Calicut during the strike:

It was during the 1974 Railway Strike demanding Bonus. The strike was to start from 8th May but due to mass arrest of the leaders and workers and victimisation, it started two days earlier. The Central government met the strike with utmost cruelty and vengeance. Tens of thousands of workers were arrested and jailed. Railway Quarters were searched and even the family members were beaten and harassed not finding the striking workers. In many staff quarters water connection, electricity connection etc. were cut. In Calicut, the procession organized in support of the strike was attacked and people beaten and two news paper reporters also badly beaten and hospitalised. It was terror unleashed for the railway workers and their families.

It was at this time that Com. AKG along with Com. Suseela Gopalan arrived at Calicut. He was not at all well and the doctors advised complete rest. When I reported to him about the serious situation, he wanted to go to the railway quarters immediately. Though we tried to stop him going, he was adamant. We started for the Railway Colony. He stepped out from the car at the entry to the colony and told that we will walk. Com.A.Kunhiraman Nair, veteran NGO Union leader and some other comrades also reached by the time. We were about 6-7 people and led by Coms AKG and Suseela we started slowly walking in to the colony through the small road. Women and children who were alone in the houses saw AKG and started joining us. Within a few minutes, it became a jatha and culminated in the school premises inside the colony. By the time, police also came to the spot. Party comrades also reached. A loudspeaker was brought and Com.AKG started speaking. One police official, without knowing who it was speaking, came forward and threatened to arrest. AKG told him that ‘I am AKG and you can arrest me’. The poor policeman was dumbfounded and became silent. By that time, senior police officers came and the situation became normal. AKG spoke consoling the families of Railwaymen and told that nothing will happen to them, and also warned the police officers that he will come and sit there in dharna if the harassment continues. Within a few minutes the meeting was over after Com. Suseela Gopalan also addressed.After this incident, there was a halt to the harassment of the families in the colony.