The BSNLEU and CCLU workers of Kerala Circle are on agitational path for the last three weeks on the demand of the casual contract workers and against victimisation of the union workers and leaders. Instead of discussing and settling the issues, the CGM Kerala is on a path of confrontation and is harassing and victimising the workers. He is, probably doing this in order to make the Kerala Circle, which is profitable, to loss making and also to harass the customers to favour the private companies. Circle leaders of BSNLEU, including the Circle Secretary, are victimised and their salary cut for many days. Former Convener of the Women’s Committee is transferred. SNEA District Secretary, Thiruvananthapuram is transferred to far away Kannur.
The CCLU leaders are on hunger strike for the last 24 days and many have been taken in to custody and hospitalised by the police. The hunger strike continues. Central Trade union leaders, MPs and MLAs, leaders of service organisations are part of the Struggle Aid Committee and extending all support to the fully justified struggle. CMD BSNL has been asked by the General Secretary BSNLEU and President BSNLCCWF to intervene and direct the CGM to discuss and settle the issue. It seems that the CGM is not even heeding to the advise of the CMD.
In this context it was decided to organise a massive march to the residence of CGM Kerala on 28th July 2015, but i has been deferred, due to the sad demise of former President APJ Abdul Kalam and to pay respects to his memory.
Thousands of workers had reached the CGM Office for the March. A report from the Circle Union BSNLEU is reproduced about the massive meeting held today and the decision taken for strengthening the struggle:
Report from Circle Union.
“A large number of BSNLEU &CCLU comrades from all over Kerala has assembled at CGM office premise as per the decision to march to the residence of CGMT. But because of the unexpected death of Sri.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, former President of India, we have cancelled the march to the residence of CGMT. However after observing one minute silence in respect of the departure leader, conducted a meeting lasted for 1 hour.
The combined working committee of BSNLEU and SNEA held at P&T House on 28th July and decided following programmes.
1. Indefinite hunger strike in front of Circle office from 3rd August 2015.
2. Demonstration in front of offices in SSAs on 3rd August 2015.
3. Combined working committee and General body meetings.
4. Non cooperation on 10th August 2015.
The demands are:
1. ENSURE TRADE UNION FREEDOM
2. STOP ALL VINDICTIVE ACTIONS
3. SETTLE LABOUR ISSUES AND IMPROVE SERVICE.”
We fully support the struggle of the Kerala workers . We demand the CMD BSNL to immediately intervene and direct the CGM to discuss with the Unions and settle the issues. Otherwise, the struggle will be intensified further.
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 