Outsourcing/leasing of tower, Optical Fibre Cable opposed

The JAC in its meeting on 04-10-2011 strongly opposed the above outsourcing and addressed a letter to the CMD BSNL on this. A press release was also issued.

Strike preparation in full swing

The preparation for the strike was in full swing. The JAC issued a Circular signed by all the unions. Press releases were issued by the JAC. Many M.P.s were contacted and their support requested.  An Appeal to the Parliament Members were prepared and sent to many MPs. Wall posters were printed and circulated. Campaign meetings were held every where to make the strike successful. In this context, the BSNL Management under the chairmanship of Shri A.K.Garg, Director(HR) held discussions with JAC leaders. All the issues in the strike notice were discussed, but no satisfactory decision was taken by the management. The JAC leaders informed that since no agreement was reached, the strike will take place as decided. Rallies in preparation of the one day strike was organized at SSA/Circle/C.O. levels on 8^th December 2015 with good participation. A conciliation meeting held by the CLC on 15-12-2011 could not solve the issues.

One Day Strike on 15^th December 2011

The Strike on 15^th December 2011 was a great success. Though FNTO did not participate and also issued statement opposing the strike, it did not have any effect.  The strike was participated completely by the workers. The reports from all places indicated that the workers were aware of the serious situation and had come forward to participate in the Strike and save BSNL and its workers. Many Federations/Unions supported and gave solidarity to the struggle of BSNL employees.

25 meetings of the Joint Action Committee was held in 2011 and various issues discussed and struggles organized. (To be continued)

In the latest circular of the Forum, it is mentioned that no reports have been received from the circle Forums / Unions, about the 09.00 PM- 07.00 AM campaign from 8th June 2015 called for by the Forum. This is distressing. The BSNL employees are in the middle of a great Save BSNL Campaign, and we can not be lazy or casual on the issue. The campaign has now been extended to one more month, which is required.

When the house is on fire, no body can be inactive or casual. BSNL is facing difficult times. The challenge has to be made an opportunity to improve the services, to improve the financial position.

‘Do or Die’, ‘Perform or Perish’ are not mere slogans. They are the slogans which have to be made practical when we meet challenges. Let us be serious, determined and dedicated to the cause of saving and strengthening BSNL.

NFTE & FNTO requested to come back to JAC

As per the decision of the JAC, letters were addressed to NFTE and FNTO to come back to the JAC. Discussion also took place. They stated that they will put the issue before their respective working committees.

JAC meeting with the Secretary DOT on 04-08-2011

The JAC leaders met Shri Chandrasekhar, Secretary DOT on 04-08-2011 and discussed some of the issues raised by the JAC. Shri S.C.Misra, Member(Services) was also present. The following issues were discussed.

1. Absorption of ITS officers.
2. Against retaining of BSNL buildings with DOT
3. National Broadband Network to be entrusted to BSNL
4. Cancellation of licences of errant companies.
5. Delay in payment of Revision of Pension from 01-01-2007 and its arrears.
6. BSNL’s pension contribution to be on the actual basic pay instead of on the maximum of pay

Secretary, DOT assured to consider all the matters positively.

Withdrawal of Medical Allowance, LTC, Leave Encashment etc.

BSNL started posting loss from 2009-2010. It was more loss in 2010-11. In this circumstance, instead of expanding the business, the BSNL management, in the name of reducing expenditure, issued orders withdrawing the Medical Allowance without voucher, restrictions on LTC,  curtailing Leave encashment at the time of availing LTC etc. Further the management did not take any action to pay Bonus. This was done while the employees under the leadership of JAC were making all efforts to improve the services and to make BSNL financially viable.

Dharna on 14^th September 2011

The meeting of the JAC held on 7^th September discussed the matter and decided to organize dharna on 14^th September in all SSAs/Circle and Corporate office. A meeting was called by PGM(SR) to discuss the above issues. But there was no result. The Dharna programme as decided was organized effectively with massive participation in all the centres. This was a clear warning to the management.

JAC decides for One Day Strike on 10^th October 2011

The meeting of the Joint Action Committee held on 21^st September 2011 discussed all the above issues and decided to organize agitational programmes including strike for settlement of the present issues.  The following programmes were decided:

1. One Day Fast on 27-09-2011
2. One Day Strike on 10-10-2011

It was also proposed to meet as many Members of Parliament as possible and seek their support for the demands and agitation. The Strike Notice was issued on 22-09-2011 with the following demands:

1. No VRS
2. Immediate payment of Bonus(PLI)
3. Restoration of Medical Allowance, Leave encashment and LTC.
4. Immediate conclusion of the process of ITS absorption
5. 2% IDA fixation
6. Immediate procurement and supply of equipments including GSM, BB Modem, Cables,Trans SMS, MLLN etc. and implementation of important business projects like ERP, NGN and transmission NMS.
7. Government Policy Issues:
8. Compensation for loss making rural services according to policy commitments.
9. Pension Contribution to DOT only on actual basic pay instead of maximum of the pay scale.
10. Refund of Rs. 8,313 crore paid towards non-standard BWA spectrum band
11. Grant of flexibility in selecting circles choice for 3G spectrum
12. Access deficit Charge(ADC) should be quantified through adequate and appropriate mechanism and paid to BSNL
13. Reimbursement of Licence fee as assured at the time of corporatization.
14. Refund of ‘Notional Loan’ of Rs. 7,500 crore with interest collected by DOT to BSNL
15. Discontinue all Telecom Advisory Committees.

The strike notice was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener JAC, P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi(SNEA(I), P.Venugopal(AIBSNLEA), V.Subburaman(TEPU), Suresh Kumar(BSNLMS), Ram Kishun Ram(BTU BSNL), Gajendra Kumar(BTEU), S.C.Gaur(BSNLOA), N.D.Ram(SEWA BSNL), R.K.Kohli(NFTBE).

As per the decision massive dharnas were organized on 27^th September 2011 at SSA/Circle/C.O. levels successfully.

Strike postponed for broader unity

The JAC contacted  NFTE and FNTO leaders who were keeping away from the JAC for some time and requested that they may join JAC and also participate in the one day strike proposed on 10^th October 2011. Both unions agreed to join the strike, if it is postponed so that they will get time to prepare. Accordingly, the Strike date was postponed to 15^th December 2011. The Strike Notice was issued  on 17-11-2011 signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, JAC, P.Abhimanyu (BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi (SNEA(I), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), V.Subburaman (TEPU), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), R.K.Kohli (NFTBE), Kanchilal(SEWA BSNL), R.K.Ram(BTU BSNL) and S.C.Gaur(BSNLOA). NFTE and a few other unions stated that they will issue separate notice and participate in the strike. (To be continued)