2013

Agitation programmes

The meeting of the Forum held on 24^th January 2013 discussed about the long pending issues like 78.2% IDA fixation, ITS repatriation, 30% fitment/ 5 increments for post-2007 recruited employees, procurement of equipment, formation of BBNL and its adverse impact etc. The following programmes of action were decided.

1. Savingram to Secretary DOT on 28 – 30 January. The following savingram to be sent to Secretary, DOT by SSA Secretaries with copy to CMD BSNL and Minister of Communications:

DEMAND IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENT ON 78.2% IDA MERGER”

2. Lunch Hour Demonstration on 11^th February 2013
3. Dharna on 15^th February 2013 at SSA level.

These programmes were effectively implemented.

Child Care Leave order issued by BSNL

Consequent to  the sustained efforts of the Forum, the orders on Child Care Leave was issued on 08-03-2013. It was a very great relief to the women officials.

ITS Repatriation Case Filed by BSNLEU, SNEA(I) and AIBSNLEA

The above organizations filed case against the order of the government granting permanent  deputation to BSNL to ITS officers on the same day after they were repatriated to DOT as per the High Court Order. This was in fact a clear violation of the High Court judgment.

Memorandum to the GoM on Revival of BSNL

In the meantime, the Government of India appointed a Group of Ministers (GoM) with Shri P.Chidambaram, Finance Minister, as Chairman to suggest means and ways to revive BSNL and MTNL. This was similar to the appointment of the Sam Pitroda Committee in 2010, which only recommended measures which will weaken the BSNL/MTNL, like VRS for one lakh employees, Disinvestment of 30% shares etc. Appointment of the present GoM was also on the same line.

Despite this back ground, the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations gave a detailed Memorandum to the Chairman of the GoM with the following suggestions, proposals.

1. Management of BSNL should belong to the company, not on deputation
2. No Disinvestment in BSNL
3. No VRS in BSNL
4. Compensation for rural services.
5. Procurement mechanism for equipment for expansion
6. Refund of BWA Spectrum charges
7. Reimbursement of Licence Fe
8. Exemption from payment to USO Fund contribution
9. Exemption for BSNL from payment towards additional spectrum
10. Providing Services to Central/state Governments, PSUs, Banks etc.
11. Refund of interest on notional loan of Rs. 7,500 crore.
12. Transfer of assets and making land bank for commercial utilization
13. Revival of telecom Factories.
14. Compensation for cable damage for the work executed by government agencies.
15. Compensation for Telegraph services.
16. Abolition of Telephone Advisory Committees(TAC)

A detailed introduction on the growth and development of telecommunications in India was also given as introductory remarks.

The Memorandum was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum, P.Abhimanyu (BSNLEU), Suresh Kumar(BSNLMS), Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA), K.Sebastin (SNEA(I), S.P.Sharma (BSNLWRU), K.Jayaprakash(FNTO), R.Raveendran(SEWA BSNL), Chandeshwar Singh (NFTE), S.C.Gaur(BSNLOA), P.Andiappan (FNTOBEA), Hari Singh (BTU), R.Venkatraman (TEPU), R.K.Kohli(NFTBE), S.V.S.Subrahmanyam(BTEU) and S.D.Sharma (ATM).

The copy was sent to the Prime Minister and concerned ministers also. Though Forum requested for a hearing, no such meeting took place. This showed the casual attitude of the GoM to the important suggestions placed by the Forum.

Action Pogrammes

Since there was acute delay in settlement of the issues raised by the Forum, the meeting of the Forum held on 9^th May 2013 decided to organize further programme of action, including strike as shown below;

1. Demonstration at SSA level on 22-05-2013
2. Dharna at SSA level on 05-06-2013
3. Indefinite Strike from 12-06- 2013.

It was also decided to issue an Appeal to the workers calling them to fully make the strike successful. The Strike Notice was issued on 17^th May 2013. It was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum, P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), Suresh Kumar(BSNLMS), S.C.Gaur(BSNLOA), (NFTE), K.Sebastin(SNEA(I), K.Jayaprakash(FNTO), R.Raveendran (SEWA BSNL), Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA), R.K.Ram(BTU BSNL), Gajendra Kumar(BTEU), R.Venkatraman (TEPU), R.K.Kohli(NFTBE), P.Andiappan(FNTOBEA), S.P.Sharma(WRU) and S.D.Sharma (ATM). The appeal was also signed by all these unions.

In preparation for the strike, the meeting of the Forum held on 06-06-2013 decided to organize Lunch Hour Demonstrations on 11-06-2013, issue press release and hold a Press Conference on 10-06-2013 and also meet the Secretary BRPSE, since the 78.2% was referred unnecessarily to BRPSE.

All the programmes before the 12^th June Strike were effectively implemented.

Orders on 78.2% IDA Fixation and call off of Indefinite Strike from 12-06-2013

Seeing the full preparations for the  Indefinite Strike, BSNL Management and DOT moved fast.  They were delaying the issue of orders on 78.2% on which agreement was made one year back on the eve of strike from 13^th June 2012.  The orders on 78.2% IDA fixation was approved by the DOT on 10^th June 2013  and orders issued on the same day by BSNL.  This was a great achievement, considering the fact that BSNL was in loss and was facing severe financial crisis.

The Forum met on 11^th June 2013 and after review of the entire situation, including the issue of orders on 78.2% IDA fixation, decided to call off the Indefinite Strike given notice of from 12^th June. The decision for the withdrawal of the strike was conveyed to the CMD BSNL signed by all the unions on 11^th June itself. A Circular was also issued congratulating the workers for their determination and full preparation for the strike which compelled the DOT and BSNL management to issue the orders.

The Meeting of the Forum held on 13^th June 2013, seriously discussed about the revival of BSNL and decided that serious campaign amongst employees as also the people should be organized to give wide propaganda. Accordingly it was planned to hold an All India Convention at Delhi followed by Circle/SSA Conventions within the next three months. Forum demanded the Management to regularly conduct the Works Committee meetings to discuss development and expansion with the Unions. The Forum also formed a Core Committee with Comrade V.A.N.nambooiri(Convener), P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), K.Sebastin(SNEA(I), C.Singh(NFTE), Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA), K.Jayaprakash(FNTO) and N.D.Ram(SEWA BSNL) to meet urgently and implement decisions. (To be continued)

ITS Absorption

Despite continued demand, the ITS absorption was not settled. The Forum Meeting on 04-09-2012 decided to organize Lunch Hour Demonstration on 18^th September and the same was effectively implemented.

The Forum leaders met Secretary, DOT and also CMD BSNL on the issue of the implementation of 78.2% IDA fixation and ITS absorption issue, but there was no progress. Hence the meeting of Forum held on 4^th October 2012 decided the following:

The Forum decided that the court case for getting intervention in the ITS absorption in the Delhi High Court to be continued effectively. We should demand the BSNL Management and the Government that the repatriation should be finalized as per Govt., DPE guidelines. Failing the above, all absorbed employees should demand for repatriation back to DOT.

In order to achieve the demands, it was decided to organize a Savingram Campaign demanding immediate repatriation of ITS officers. A dharna to be organized on 15-10-2012. Parliament March to be organized on 26^th October 2012 and Relay Hunger Strike from 29^th October to 3^rd November 2012.

Savingram Campaign

As per decision, Savingrams were sent to Prime Minister, Communications Minister, Cabinet Secretary, Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL demanding that the ITS absorption issue settled with out any further delay.  Massive dharnas were organized in all SSAs/Circles and at Corporate Office, Delhi.

In the meanwhile, the Unions/Associations in MYNL were also contacted since the ITS absorption issue is a common issue for both BSNL and MTNL. It was decided that a joint meeting of the Unions/Associations in BSNL and MTNL be held and the prospects of joint programmes planned.

Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions/Associations

The meeting of the Unions/Associations of Executives and Non-Executives in BSNL and MTNL was held on 25^th October 2012 presided by Com.M.K.Bagchi, Convener of the United Forum of MTNL Unions/Associations. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations reported the actions already taken in the ITS absorption issue and further planning. Detailed discussion took place. It was decided that a Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions/Associations of Executives and Non-Executives be formed. Com.M.K.Bagchi (MTNL) was elected as the Chairman and Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri(BSNL) as the Convener. In order to make the Parliament March with more massive participation and to enable the MTNL employees also to participate the date of the March was postponed to 22^nd November 2012. In preparation for the same, Joint Demonstrations were held in Delhi and Mumbai and all centres in the country on 8^th November 2012. This was implemented effectively. The meeting of the Joint Forum held on 8^th November discussed and took necessary decision for organizing the Parliament March on 22^nd November.

Mammoth Parliament March on 22^nd November 2012 by BSNL/MTNL employees

On the day of the Parliament March, from the early morning workers started coming to participate. Hundreds of workers from the nearby states of Rajasthan, Punjab, UP(West), Haryana etc. came. Wall Posters of the March was pasted before all BSNL / MTNL Offices. A mighty demonstration took place before the March started from Bharat Sanchar Bhawan. The March was led by the leaders of the Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions/Associations. The workers held placards, banners and flags of all unions/associations in large numbers. The March went through the town towards Parliament but was stopped at the Parliament  Street by the Police with barricades. The March was converted in to rally there and the meeting was held with an improvised stage.

Members of Parliament, Com. Basudeb Acharia(CPIM) and  Shri Arjun Meghwal (BJP) addressed and supported the demands and assured that they will take up the case with the government. Com.M.K.Bagchi, Chairman JF presided and Com.V.A.N.namboodiri, Convener welcomed all and presented the demands of the JF. All the leaders of the Forum addressed.

The Chairman and Convener of the Forum, Coms. M.K.Bagchi and V.A.N.Namboodiri went and presented the Memorandum  to the Prime Minister demanding immediate repatriation of the ITS Officers to DOT.

The Parliament March was participated by thousands of workers. It was a huge success.

Murder of Com. Sukhender Singh, District Secretary BSNLEU, by  GM, Ghasiabad

The meeting of the Forum held on 25-10-2012 condemned the murder of Com. Sukender Singh, DS, BSNLEU Ghaziabad by the GM, Ghasiabad and demanded the BSNL Management to take immediate action against the GM by suspension/transfer and filing FIR.

Agitational Programmes by Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions

The meeting of the Joint Forum held on 4^th December 2012 reviewed the Parliament March and further decided that joint actions are necessary in the following issues.

1. Immediate refund of BWA Spectrum charges to BSNL and MTNL.
2. No extra charges for extra 2G Spectrum being held by BSNL/MTNL
3. Adequate compensation for BSNL landlines operations which are loss making
4. Immediate release of funds from USOF
5. Exempt BSNL/MTNL from spectrum liberalization and refarming
6. Sanction of adequate funds from USOF to BSNL and MTNL.
7. Immediate procurement of equipments both in BSNL and MTNL
8. Payment of government Pension to MTNL retirees
9. Immediate issue of Presidential Directive from DOT for 78.2% IDA fixation for BSNL employees

Two Days Dharnas were held on 17^th and 18^th December 2012 on the above issues with massive participation.

As in earlier years, 2012 was also a year of hectic activities. 21 meetings of the JAC/Forum/JF were held in 2012. (To be continued).