Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 – ( 16 )

24 Wednesday Jun 2015

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Indefinite Strike from  20-04-2010 and Agreement

JAC Revives Agitational Programmes.

The Joint Action Committee which met on 9th June 2015 reviewed the latest developments including the assurances given by the Communications Minister, Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL on the strike agreement on 20-04-2010. The meeting expressed its utter disappointment at the lethargic manner in which the issues were being dealt with. Instead of 93.3 million GSM tender, only 5.5 million tender was floated. BSNL was compelled to pay spectrum charges of Rs. 10,186 crore and Rs. 8,313 crore  will have to be paid for BWA spectrum charges. This will take away almost all the cash balance of BSNL. 78.2% IDA was not paid to staff, though that was one of the agreements. Revision of Pension for BSNL pensioners from 01-01-2007 also was not settled.  Under these circumstances, the JAC decided to revive the agitational programmes. Accordingly the following action programmes were decided:

  1. Lunch Hour demonstrations on 14-06-2010
  2. Dharna at C.O./Circle/SSA levels on 16-06-2010

These programmes were effectively organized with massive participation.

The JAC leaders met the Secretary, DOT, Shri P.J.Thomas on 18th June 2010 and discussed, but no issue was solved. The JAC met the full BSNL Management Committee on 21-06-2010 and had detailed discussion, but no results.

Under these circumstances, the Joint Action Committee met again on 21st June 2010 and decided to ensure that maximum efforts should made to save the BSNL. The following programmes of action were decided:

  1. Post Card campaign: All the employees should send Post Card to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister with the following demands written on it:

Respected Sir,

Kindly ensure financial viability of BSNL by reimbursing 3G and BWA Spectrum charges of Rs. 18,500 crores paid by BSNL, to enable it to implement the socio-economic commitment of the Central government.

Yours Faithfully,

Name, Designation, Signature.

These cards should be sent by all the employees by 5th July 2010, so that more than 3 lakh Post cards will reach the Prime Minister.

 

  1. A National Convention to be held at New Delhi on 21st July 2010 with massive participation of employees. The JAC decided to hold similar conventions in major cities also.
  2. Meetings with Communications Minister, Finance Minister and Prime Minister be sought for, for pressing our demands.
  3. The JAC should be formed at Circle, SSA and Branch levels immediately to organize the programmes effectively and successfully.

A detailed circular was issued by the JAC which was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA), S.P.Sharma(BSNLWRU), (FNTO), D.P.Patwa(AIBCTES), (NFTE), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), Rana Pratap (BEA BSNL), G.L.Jogi (SNEA(I), R.S.Yadav(ATM), N.D.Ram(SEWA BSNL) and Ram Kishun Ram(BTU BSNL).

Meeting with Communications minister A.Raja on 24-06-2010 at Coimbatore

With a view to stop BSNL’s payment of Rs. 8,313 crore towards BWA Spectrum charges, the JAC leaders held an emergent meeting with Communications Minister Shri A.Raja, who was attending the World Tamil conference at Coimbatore on 25-06-2010. Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi(SNEA(I), and Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA) attended. The following issues were discussed:

  1. Procurement of 10 million mobile equipment
  2. Reimbursement of the Rs. 18,500 crores to BSNL, which was the charges paid by it to the government for the allotment of 3G and BWA spectrum.

The meeting was cordial and the minister agreed to favourably consider the same.

National Convention of BSNL Workers on   19-07-2010

As per the decision of the  JAC, a National Convention of BSNL Workers was held on 19th July 2010 at Mavlankar Hall New Delhi to give wide publicity to the problems of BSNL and educate the workers and prepare them for agitational programmes. The Convention was presided by Com.N.T.Sajwani, Chairman of the JAC. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener welcomed and also presented the draft declaration of the Convention. Com. Basudeb Acharia, Member of Parliament and senior leader of the working class inaugurated the Convention. Prominent Central trade union leaders Com.M.K.Pandhe, Vice-President CITU, Shri G.Sanjeeva Reddy, President, INTUC,  Com.G.L.Dhar, Secretary, AITUC, Com.Prabir Purkayasta, telecom expert and other leaders addressed the Convention and supported the JAC movement.

The Convention was also addressed by Coms. P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi(SNEA), C.Singh(NFTE), K.Vallinayagam(FNTO), Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA), Suresh Kumar(BSNLMS), V.Subburaman  (TEPU), Hari Singh (BTU), N.D.Ram(SEWA BSNL), D.P.Patwa(AIBCTES), Shrivastava(WRU) and O.P.Gupta (Former SG NFTE). A large number of employees were mobilized from the nearby circles like Rajasthan, UP(West), Punjab, Haryana, H.P. and Uttarakhand.

After the declaration was adopted the Convention declared to launch a powerful nationwide strike from 19th to 21st October 2010. The declaration called upon the workers to make the strike a big success. The Convention also declared that if the government/BSNL Management fails to settle the issues, the 3 days strike will be converted in to an indefinite strike.

As per the decision of the National Convention, circle level conventions were held  with massive participation and addresses by the leaders of the Joint Action Council. (To be continued)

Forum Meeting at Hyderabad

23 Tuesday Jun 2015

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A massively attended meeting of the BSNL employees was held at CGM Office premises Hyderabad, at lunch hours on 23rd June 2015 under the auspices of the Forum of BSNL Unions of Non-Executives and Executives. Leaders of the Circle Forum Comrades J.Sampath Rao(BSNLEU), A.Viswanatham(SNEA), Srinivasa Reddy(AIBSNLEA), Veerabhadra Rao(AIGETOA), Sampath Kumar(SNATTA), Premnath(BTEU), Laxman, Taranath (BSNLEU), Mohan Reddy(BSNLEU) and other leaders were in the dais. About 300 comrades, a large number of them ladies, participated.
Com.VAN Namboodiri, founder Convener of Forum and Patron BSNLEU addressed the meeting and explained the struggles organised during the last more than one decade in defence of BSNL under the leadership of Forum. He thanked the workers for their excellent participation in the strike on 21-22 April called by the Forum. The developments after the strike, including meeting with Secretary DOT and Communications Minister was reported. The doubts raised by some comrades were replied. The workers assured their participation in the 2nd September Strike called by the Central Trade Unions.

AIBDPA Meeting at Hyderabad

23 Tuesday Jun 2015

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A meeting of the AIBDPA Hyderabad District was held at BSNL Bhawan premises on 23rd June 2015. A good number of Pensioners as well as regular employees were present. Comrades Ramachandrudu, Circle Secretary AIBDPA, J.Sampath Rao, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Mohan Reddy, District Secretary and other leaders were present. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Patron BSNLEU and Advisor AIBDPA spoke in detail about the latest developments after the 21-22 April strike and the discussions held with the Secretary DOT and Minister Communications on the 78.2% IDA pension fixation and other issues. He also called upon the employees to fully participate in the strike on 2nd September 2015 called by the Central Trade Unions on the 10 points demands. Com. Namboodiri was felicitated by the AIBDPA.

BSNL to start 4G Services in six circles.

23 Tuesday Jun 2015

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State-run telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam  (BSNL) plans to launch high-speed fourth-generation (4G) services across six telecom circles, of the 20 circles where it operates. BSNL is in talks with various telecom companies, including Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJIL) and SSTL, for a strategic tie-up.

BSNL CMD Anupam Shrivastava told FE that they were open for a strategic tie-up for 4G operations and are in talks with various telecom companies in this regard. However, he did not name the telcos. (Courtesy: Financial Express)

Wage Negotiations in BSNL should start without delay.

23 Tuesday Jun 2015

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It is time to start the wage negotiation for the employees in BSNL, which is due from 01-01-2017. Last time the negotiations took more than 3 years and orders were issued only in 2010, which was with effect from 01-01-2007.

The VII CPC for Central government Employees was appointed in 2014, whereas the implementation was to be from 01-01-2016 only.  In the same way, the wage negotiation for BSNL employees should start two years earlier than the due date.

BSNL Employees Union has already demanded for the same.

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 – ( 15 )

23 Tuesday Jun 2015

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2010

Procurement of equipments

The Joint Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations met on 1st January 2010 at New Delhi and discussed the latest situation with regard to the development of BSNL services and connected matters. The cancellation of the 45.5 million mobile tender by BSNL has created a serious situation for BSNL with no mobile lines to provide. The company which was in first position in both land lines and mobiles had gone down to third position in mobile, while keeping its first position in land lines, total market share going down to 16.38 from the earlier more than 20%. Mobile lines have to be purchased urgently. Under these circumstances, the Joint Forum decided to organize the following agitational programmes demanding immediate tender and purchase of 93.3 million mobile lines for expansion

Telegram campaign:

Circle/District/Branch Secretaries to send the following telegram to the Prime Minister, so as to reach before 6th January 2010.

To Shri Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, New Delhi KINDLY INTERVENE TO SAVE BSNL BY IMMEDIATE FINALISATION OF 9.3 MILLION GSM LINES.Name of Circle/District /Branch Secretary

Demonstration at all centres on 5th January 2010.

These programmes were effectively implemented.

Memorandum to the Prime Minister

A Memorandum dated 5th January 2010 was submitted to the Prime Minister with the same demand. It was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU) Convener JF, B.R.Jhakatia (SEWA BSNL), Suresh Kumar(BSNLMS), G.L.Jogi (SNEA), V.Subburaman(TEPU), (BTEU), Hukam Singh (SNATTA) and Devi Prasad (AIBCTES).The JF leaders met the Communications Minister A.Raja on 4th January 2010 and requested the intervention of the Minister to speed up the 93.3 million GSM tender.

Retrograde Recommendations of Sam Pitroda Committee

The retrograde recommendations of the Committee headed by Sam Pitroda, former Secretary DOT and telecom expert, raised sharp reactions from the workers. It proposed 30% of disinvestment in BSNL, Retrenchment of one lakh workers, unbundling of the copper cables, outsourcing work etc. The Joint Forum conducted a detailed study and submitted its suggestions. In its meeting on 10th and 15th March 2010 , the JF discussed the issue and decided to strongly protest and go on agitation. The following programmes were decided:

One Day Dharna on 26-03-2010

Indefinite Strike from  20-04-2010

In order to bring NFTE also in the co-ordination ( which had moved from the Forum some time back), the name of the Joint Forum was changed to Joint Action Committee and the new office – bearers with Com. N.T.Sajwani (NFPTE) as Chairman and Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU) as convener was reconstituted. NFTE was keeping away from the Joint Forum after the Membership Verification on the plea of differences between the unions in many places.

Demands of Indefinite Strike from 20-04-2010

Settle ITS Absorption issue

No Disinvestment / No Privatisation of BSNLNo Retrenchment / No VRS

No unbundling of last mile copper and other infrastructure

No outsourcing

Immediate procurement of mobile lines

Ensure IDA Pension Revision to BSNL Retirees.

The Strike Notice was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), Convener, N.T.Sawani (NFTE), Chairman, K.Vallinayagam(FNTO), V.Subburaman(TEPU), Suresh Kumar(BSNLMS), G.L.Jogi(SNEA(I), S.P.Sharma (BSNLWRU), K.Anil Kumar(ATM), Sathyanarayana (AIBSNLEA), N.D.Ram(SEWA BSNL), Hari Singh (BTU BSNL), D.P.Patwa (AIBCTES) and H.P.Singh(BSNLOA). The Notice for strike was served on 23-03-2010 after a massive demonstration participated by hundreds of workers at Corporate Office. All over India, the demonstrations were participated by thousands.

Meeting with secretary, DOT

Shri P.J.Thomas, Secretary, DOT, held a meeting with the JAC leaders.  While the discussions were cordial, there was no clear decision or assurance.

Meeting with Minister of State, Communications

The Minister of State, Communications, Shri Gurudas Kamath, called for a meeting with the JAC leaders on 26th March 2010. The Minister heard the demands but could not give any favourable decision. He only stated that appropriate action will be taken.

In preparation of the strike, the Joint Action Committee issued press release and printed posters and circulated in large numbers. Detailed circulars were issued calling upon the workers to fully participate in the strike. State level conventions were successfully organized in many centres. This resulted in massive propaganda amongst workers and public.

Meeting with the Minister Communications Shri A.Raja was held on 16-04-2010 on the strike demands including against recommendations of the Sam Pitroda Committee, but there was no favourable result.

 

BSNL on the improvement line – Communications Minister

22 Monday Jun 2015

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Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in an interview stated that BSNL is on the comeback track. The report in the press is given below:

“Another challenge he said was BSNL. “So much public money has been invested. BSNL’s profit in 2004, when we left office, was Rs. 10,000 crore and after 10 years when we came back to power, it is incurring a loss of Rs. 8,000 crore. This was for a variety of reasons, some very unfair,” he said. One year down the line, BSNL has added 47 lakh new active customers and its revenue has gone up by 2 per cent, he said, adding that “today BSNL has the strength to offer free roaming… Also in the offing are other plans, including changing the network to the next generation in the next two-three years.”

Explaining why he has been emphasising the issue of call drops, he said that while he may be “Minister for Telecom working for growth of the sector” he also needs to protect the interests of consumers. “(Courtesy: Business Line)

UAN Mandatory for Employers – EPFO

22 Monday Jun 2015

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Retirement fund body EPFO today notified an order to make Universal Account Number (UAN) mandatory for all employers covered under the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1952.

“We have notified the draft order to make UAN compulsory for all organisations covered under the EPF & MP Act,” EPFO’s Central Provident Fund Commissioner K K Jalan said. (Courtesy: TOI)

Indefinite Satyagraha by Casual, Contract Workers in Kerala from 22nd June 2015

22 Monday Jun 2015

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The BSNL Casual Contract Labour Union (CCLU) Kerala, affiliated to BSNLCCWF, has started Indefinite Satyagraha in front of GM offices in the Circle. Large number of comrades are participating in the programme. BSNLEU leaders and workers are in full support.

The demands on which the agitation is being organised includes equal pay for equal work, issue of identity card, payment of Bonus etc.

BSNLCCWF fully support the struggle and convey greetings to the agitating workers!

No Alliance with Congress – Sitaram Yechury, GS, CPI(M)

22 Monday Jun 2015

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Kolkata, Jun 22 : Scotching speculations of going with the Congress in its fight against TMC in Bengal, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury today said the party will follow the resolutions adopted in the last Party Congress of not aligning or joining any front with the Congress.

Senior party leader Gautam Deb on Friday last had kicked up a political storm by stating that the Left Front in West Bengal was now left with not enough strength to defeat the Trinamool Congress in the next Assembly elections and had hinted at an “understanding” with the Congress, saying “there

was a need for a greater alliance with other like-minded political parties to defeat the TMC regime.”

“He (Deb) did not say what is attributed to him, that we will go with the Congress,” Yechury told reporters when asked to comment on the CPI(M) central committee member’s statement advocating an alliance with the Congress. (PTI)