WFTU expresses solidarity to Irish Railway Workers Strike

Ireland: Solidarity with Railway Workers on their Strike on November 1st by WFTU

The World Federation of Trade Unions representing over 92 million workers in every every corner of the world expresses its solidarity with the Railway Workers in Ireland who decided to go on strike on November 1st and will continue their struggle in a series of rolling one-day strikes. We fully support their demand for pay increase and increase of the state fund in the public transportation services.

The WFTU calls all the militant trade unions in the country, in Europe and worldwide to support their struggle. We call the people of Ireland to stand on their side and intensify their struggle for safe, cheap and reliable transportation for all the people.

Change of Designation for Executives in BSNL

It is reported that the BSNL Management has agreed to modify the designations of the executives in the company as follows:

New designations will be as follows:

JTO /JAO equivalent grade – Deputy Manager

SDE /AO equivalent grade – Manager

Sr. SDE /Sr.AO equivalent grade – Sr. Manager

AGM /CAO/EE/DE equivalent grade -Asst General Manager

Congratulations for the achievement!

(Courtesy: SNEA Website)

November 1 – Kerala Formation Day

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The people of Kerala celebrated 1st November 2017 as 61st Formation Anniversary of the Kerala State. It was on 1st November 1956 that the linguistic states, including Kerala, were formed.

The first Communist Government in Kerala headed by Com. EMS Namboodiripad initiated many important decisions like Land reforms and reforms in Education. The present Pinarayi Vijayan Government is continuing with the process with new initiatives in every respect for fulfilling the dreams of Kerala people. Even now, Kerala is first in many respects, including universal education, housing for all, health facilities, long living etc. etc. The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, recently appreciated the Kerala people for their great achievements in many fields.

Kerala will certainly March Ahead! Warm Greetings to all!

 

Modi Government continues its attacks on the livelihood of the common people

Demonetisation, GST, criminal daily increase of price of petrol and monthly increase of the price of cooking gas – the Modi Government is on a mad spree of attack against the people. The fact that BJP had got brute majority in the Parliament is no justification for the criminal assault on the livelihood of the people.  They have to remember that they got only 31% of the total votes, meaning that the others are against.

On the other hand, lakhs of crores of rupees are subsidized to the corporates through various measures. Mukesh  Ambani has become the richest person in the continent with the full support of the Modi Government. Was not Prime Minister Modi the brand ambassador in the full page news paper advertisement for the Reliance Jio inauguration?

The people have to react and react sharply. Gujarat and Utterakhand People have got the chance now to show BJP their anger against the attack on the people.

Com. C.K.Gundanna honoured with prestigious ‘Rajyotsava Award’ – Congratulations!

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Comrade C.K.Gundanna, Veteran leader and long time Circle Secretary BSNLEU Karnataka Circle, has been  awarded the prestigious ‘Rajyotsava Award’ by  the Karnataka Government. The same was handed over to Com. Gundanna by  Chief Minister Shri Sidharamayya on 1st November 2017. It is the highest award by the state government and is awarded for social justice to the society  and Theatre Art. Com. Gundanna was the Secretary of  ‘Samudaya’, the well known cultural society  for a long time. Now he is also acting in some cinemas. It is to be mentioned here that he was attacked a few years back by the Hindu extremists when a progressive street drama was being enacted. Family of Com. Gundanna and many comrades from BSNL participated in the award giving function.

Hearty Congratulations to Com. C.K.Gundanna for  his  his great contribution to the society and the prestigious award!

 

 

Reception to leaders going to attend Mahapadav

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A warm reception was accorded in the evening of 30th October to the delegates of the various central trade unions and service associations at Calicut going to attend the Maha Dharna at New Delhi on 9-11 November 2017. All the CTUs and service associations attended in large numbers. The Dharna is being organised on the demands of the workers and against the anti-worker policies of the government.

Through out the country full preparations are going on for the successful holding of the dharna. It will  be organised in the Parliament Street itself.

Central Pensioners are a force to be reckoned with

The mighty dharna organised in front of Megh Doot Bhawan, Delhi on 25th October 2017 was a warning to the Central government that if it do not address the genuine concerns of the central pensioners including BSNL, there will be continuous agitations. During the last few years, the organisations of the pensioners have grown and strengthened under the leadership of NCCPA and is ready for further agitation.

The Dharna was organised on the demands formulated by the Nagpur Convention including acceptance of Option I recommended by the VII CPC, Pension Revision of BSNL retirees, Increase in Medical Allowance to Rs. 2,000 etc. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Patron NCCPA, in his Inaugural Address criticised the government for its negative attitude to the just demands of the workers as well as pensioners and called upon the pensioners to be ready for further struggle. He also congratulated the NCCPA for organising the programme.

Com. Shiv Gopal Mishra, President, NCCPA, presided. Com.K.K.N.Kutty, Secretary General welcomed all. Leaders of NCCPA and its various affiliates addressed the dharna.

The Dharna was a wake up call to the government.

National Telecom Policy 2018.

The government is in the process of formulating the National Telecom Policy 2018, it is reported.

The National Telecom Policy 1994, initiated private entry in Telecom. NTP -1999/2000 gave many subsidies to the private operators. NTP-2006 continued the same policy and in fact resulted in cancellation of BSNL tenders for mobile lines. What will the proposals in the NTP – 2018? May be more benefits to the private operators and injustice and ignoring the PSUs BSNL and MTNL?

In his letter to Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener Joint Forum and General Secretary BSNLEU, dated 04-01-2006, just before the start of the strike on 4/5 January, then Secretary DOT has given written assurance that “the views of the union will be duly considered as and when the draft of the telecom policy is formulated.” This was in addition to the assurance that there will be no disinvestment of BSNL and also that there will be no unbundling of the copper cables. The strike was withdrawn on the basis of these assurances in the last minute.

As such, the government is committed to hear the views of the unions/associations in BSNL on the formulation of the next Telecom Policy which is expected by next year.

There need not be any delay in Pension Revision of BSNL retirees

The last two Pension Revisions of the BSNL retirees were ordered after the wage revision of BSNL employees and after many struggles. IDA Pension revision is established after the last two pension revisions.

The government is committed to pay the full pension of BSNL retirees after the 21-22 April 2015 Strike, discussion with Secretary DOT and the clear order dropping the 60:40 condition.  Now during the discussion of AIBDPA leaders with CMD on 26th October, he had stated that the BSNL Board yesterday had decided for wage revision of BSNL employees with 15% fitment. We congratulated the CMD for the great decision.

Under these circumstances, there is no need for any delay in the Pension revision of BSNL retirees. During the meeting with the Secretary DOT on 25-10-2017 by the AIBDPA leaders, the demand for immediate pension revision of BSNL retirees with 15% was raised and she was in a positive mood.

It is our demand that there should not be any delay for the pension revision of BSNL pensioners w.e.f. 01-01-2017.

NTR CIRCLE BRANCH RECONSTITUTED CONSEQUENT ON MERGER OF AIBSNLPWA NTR CIRCLE WITH AIBDPA.

PENSIONERS  REALISE THE RIGHT STAND AND POLICIES OF AIBDPA.

The NTR Circle Branch of AIBSNLWA has fully merged with AIBDPA and a decision in this regard was taken unanimously in the general body meeting held on 04-10-2017. A combined meeting of both circle branches of AIBDPA and AIBSNLPWA was held 0n 24-10-2017 and the meeting unanimously decided to recosnstitute AIBDPA circle branch. Com.R.C.Malhotra presided over the meeting. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor inaugurated the meeting and explained the effective functioning of AIBDPA and the demand of pension revision with 15% fitment recommended by the 3rd PRC and approved by the government. Coms.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary, R.A.Nair, Treasurer, R.S.Chouhan, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU and D.P.S.Shishodia also addressed the meeting.

Office bearers were elected unanimously with Com.R.C.Malhotra (President), D.P.S.Shishodia (Circle Secretary) and Com.V.P.Gupta (Treasurer).

The meeting decided to participate in the NCCPA Mass Dharna on 25-10-2017 demanding implementation of Option 1, Pension Revision of BSNL retirees with 15% fitment on IDA pattern, Monthly Medical Allowance of Rs.2000 to all pensioners, Restoration of commutation after 10 years, Rs.12,000 as minimum pension/ family pension etc.

We heartily congratulate the BSNL DOT Pensioners in NTR for taking the correct decision and uniting the entire pensioners in NTR under one umbrella, the AIBDPA.