Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 ( 17 )

25 Thursday Jun 2015

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Strike postponed to  1st to 3rd December  2010

In view of the Bihar Assembly elections and Kerala Local body elections, the JAC meeting held on 23-09-2010 decided to postpone the 3 days strike from 19th to 21st October to 24th to 26th November 2010. Due to unavoidable circumstances again the strike dates were postponed to 1st to 3rd December 2010.

Strike Notice issued.

The notice for the three days strike was issued on 15-10-2010 signed by Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, JAC, P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), K.Vallinayagam(FNTO), Raj Kishore (BSNL WRU), V.Subburaman(TEPU), G.L.Jogi(SNEA(I), S.S.Tomar(BSNLMS), R.K.Kohli(NFTBE), (SNATTA), P.Venugopal(AIBSNLEA), D.P.Patwa(AIBCTES) and N.D.Ram(SEWA BSNL).

The Demands :

  1. Refund of Rs. 18,500 crores to BSNL paid to government towards 3G and BWA spectrum charges.
  2. 2% IDA Merger for wage revision w.e.f. 01-01-2007
  3. Immediate settlement of ITS Group A absorption issue.
  4. No Disinvestment/IPO of BSNL
  5. No VRS
  6. Procurement of adequate mobile equipments.
  7. No unbundling of last mile copper cable.
  8. Implement government’s commitments on financial viability of BSNL given at the time of corporatization by continuing exemption from Licence Fee, and continuation of ADC, USO Fund
  9. Effective and expeditious implementation of implementation of programmes and projects like ERP, NGN etc. Immediate fool proof measures for smooth change over to CDR
  10. Government departments and PSUs should be manadated to take telecom services from BSNL/MTNL only
  11. Revision of Pension on IDA along with wage revision. Immediate revision of IDA pension of pre-2007 BSNL retirees.

Historic Parliament March on 15th November 2010

In preparation for the 3 Days Strike from 1st December 2010, the Joint Action Committee organized a massive March to Parliament on 15th November 2010. Thousands and thousands of BSNL employees participated in the March which started from the Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, the Corporate office of BSNL. The March was stopped at the Parliament Street by the police where a huge  rally  was held. Com.Basudev Acharia, M.P., inaugurated the rally. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, JAC spoke in detail about the demands of the workers and the anti-BSNL decisions of the Government and the necessity of making the 3 days strike from 1st December a great success. Coms. P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi(SNEA(I), Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA), C.Singh(NFTE) and other General Secretaries addressed.

Strike Notice issued

The Strike Notice for 3 days strike was issued signed by Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener JAC, P.Abhimanyu(BSNLEU), Chandeshwar Singh (NFTE) & Chairman JAC, Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), N.D.Ram(SEWA BSNL), S.C.Gaur(BSNLOA), G.L.Jogi (SNEA(I), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), Anil Kumar(BSNL ATM),K.Vallinayagam(FNTO), V.Subburaman(TEPU), Raj Kishore (WRU) and R.K.Ram (BTU BSNL). A Circular with details of the demands was circulated. Wall Posters were printed and distributed in large numbers. Parliament Members raised questions in the Parliament on the various issues mentioned in the strike notice. Press Releases were also issued by the JAC which were prominently published in the newspapers.

Struggle for Bonus

On the plea of loss to the company for the financial year, Bonus was denied to the BSNL workers. The JAC discussed the issue and decided to go on Hunger Strike on 15-10-2010. The same was organised effectively with good participation.  A Dharna was also organised on 28-10-2010. But the issue of payment of Bonus was not settled. (To be continued)

Hated ‘Emergency’ completes 40 years

25 Thursday Jun 2015

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The ‘Emergency’ declared by Indira Gandhi government is completing 40 years. It was in the late hours of 25th June 1975, that the ‘National Emergency’ was declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, after her election was nullified by the court.

Democracy was given a burial. Civil rights were denied. Almost all the opposition leaders and activists at all level were arrested and put behind bars. Opposition M.P.s were also jailed. Complete censuring of newspapers  was ensured. No news of even a small criticism of government was allowed. Trade unions functions were strictly curtailed. Dearness Allowance was frozen. Extra constitutional forces controlled the government. Compulsory sterilization was forced. It was a period of terror.

Many leaders of Central Govt. Employees, including Posts and Telegraphs were put in jail. I was taken in to custody twice. These arrests and atrocities continued while the emergency was on.

Hoping that the opposition has been demolished and that Congress  will be elected with much majority, general elections were declared. Most of the leaders of the opposition contested the elections, while in jail. The Congress party was utterly defeated, even Indira Gandhi being defeated in her own constituency. The newly formed Janatha party came in to power. The hated Emergency was over.

Another such dictatorship and Emergency will not be tolerated by the people of India.

 

 

BSNL Employees Demonstrate on 30th June protesting Railways Privatisation.

24 Wednesday Jun 2015

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Railway Employees are organising Protest Demonstration on 30th June against government’s proposal to privatise Railways. BSNL Employees Union has decided to extend solidarity to the struggling railway  workers and demonstrate on the same day. BSNL workers very well know how Telecom was corporatised and private companies allowed in telecom sector.

Participate fully in the protest demonstration!

Kerala CCLU continue Satyagraha on the second day

24 Wednesday Jun 2015

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The Casual and Contract Labour Union (CCLU), Kerala continues its Satyagraha on the second day in all SSAs on the demands raised by them. Massive participation of Casual and Contract Workers as also BSNLEU members are there. BSNLCCWF CHQ demands the Circle management to discuss and settle the issues with the BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF.

Parliament to start on 21st July 2015

24 Wednesday Jun 2015

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The next session of Parliament is expected to start on 21st July 2015 and may continue four weeks.  The notification is expected to be issued within a few days.

This is going to be a stormy session with so many controversies, including Lalit Gate, Land Bill, Amendments to labour laws etc.

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)