The Second Membership Verification was held on 1st December 2004. Before the verification, as usual, a meeting of all the participating unions was held. Except NFTE, all unions wanted more than one union. But NFTE took a strong position that only one union can be recognized as per the Code of Discipline. Hence no change could be made. In the Verification, BSNLEU with the support of United Forum won with 49.5% of total votes. NFTE got the second position with 35.30%. Only BSNLEU was recognised.
VII Meeting of National Council – 25th January 2005
The First Meeting after verification (VII meeting of NC) was held on 25th January 2005. The Chairman was Sri S.K.Jain Director (HR). Shri Thomas John (FNTO) was Leader and Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), Secretary, Staff Side.
There are many items discussed in each meeting of the National Council for which detailed minutes are usually issued. A few selected important items are only mentioned below for brevity sake.
The Staff Side opposed the VRS agreed to by the earlier recognized union in the earlier NC meeting and demanded that it should be dropped. The Staff Side also proposed that a Souvenir of HMT watch be supplied to all employees considering the good work and consequent profit to the company, which was agreed to by the management. It was decided to form a joint Committee for the same.
The delay in finalizing perks to the employees was pointed out by the Staff Side. A Joint Committee was formed for the same.
The Staff Side pointed out the scant promotional prospects for the non-executive employees and demanded for 5 time bound promotions in service. The Management did not agree stating that there is an agreement in the NC earlier stating that the OTBP-BCR will continue till next wage revision. After detailed discussion, the management agreed to form a Joint Committee in this connection. Pay Anomaly issue was taken by the staff side. Management agreed to look in to the compassionate ground appointments.
Adjourned Meeting of VII NC – 25th February 2005.
The meeting was held in the background of the drastic Tsunami floods and high waves which resulted many deaths and destruction of house and properties. The Staff Side wanted immediate support to the workers in A&N Islands and other places where the employees have been badly affected. This was agreed to by the official side.
The Report of the Perks Committee was accepted by the NC. On the demand of the Staff Side a Joint Committee of Official Side and Staff Side was formed to recommend on the following issues:
1. Pay Scale of Sr.TOA 2. Pay Scale of TTA and grant of OTBP/BCR 3. Pay Scale of TM 4. Pay Scale of Drivers and Cable jointers and 5.Pay Scale of Grade IV.
It was agreed to approach the LIC for formulating the Group Insurance Scheme since the govt. did not agree to continue the same. It was decided that GPF will continue.
On the stiff opposition from the Staff Side, the proposed VRS was dropped by the management.
VIII Meeting of NC – 19th April 2005
During the period of NFTE it was decided that no Standing Committee is necessary. But the present Staff Side demanded that the Standing Committee should be formed to review the progress of the decisions etc. Hence the Standing Committee was formed with DDG(SR) as Chairman with members from both official side and staff side.
The anomaly in the 2000 wage revision from CDA to IDA, the seniors getting less than their juniors, was referred to the Promotion Committee already formed.
Orders were issued as per the recommendations of the Joint Perk Committee. The NC constituted another Joint Committee for negotiations with PSU Banks for providing loans to the BSNL employees. Medical Reimbursement issue discussed in detail.
IX Meeting of the National Council – 4th August 2005
Shri Niranjan Singh, presided as the Chairman of the National Council after being posted as the Director (HR).
With this meeting a new system was started by reporting about the expansion and developmental activities of the company. DDG(LTF) presented the same.
As per the suggestion of the Secretary, Staff Side earlier, a Compendium on Membership Verification, formation of Council etc. was prepared by the DDG(SR) and the same was released in this meeting and copies supplied to all members. This became a reference book for the ensuing verifications. This was also referred by the Railways’ Federations, when the Membership Verification started there after a few years.
Management accepted the proposal for a new transfer policy in view of the present situation where there is no recruitment and there is requirement for staff in the rural areas.
Special recruitment in NE-I & II, J&K, Assam, HP, Uttaranchal etc. will be examined as special case. Promotion of all qualified candidates to TM will be considered.
The Management also agreed to restore the HRA in the B-2 class, where the same have been granted earlier on special considerations, but not have the required number of population.
X Meeting of the NC – 8th February 2006
Payment of balance of 25% of Bonus approved by the Management Committee. Next Board meeting will take decision and issue orders.
Staff Side suggestions will be considered when framing Standing Orders.
Staff Side suggestions for cutting wasteful expenditure like vacating rented offices, reducing rented vehicles etc. accepted.
The demand of the staff side to restore the power of CGMs to create posts will be put to BSNL Board.
Suggestion of staff side for gift of watch to all employees accepted by management.
Merger of 50% IDA with pay will be decided after decision by the government.
XI Meeting of the NC – 27th April 2006
CMD BSNL attended this meeting on a special request by the Secretary, Staff Side.
The 25% balance of the Bonus due in 2004-05 was agreed to be paid by the management.
The Management agreed to pay air travel charges of the Staff Side members attending the NC meeting. 500 posts of JTO will be allotted to the qualified candidates.
Special Meeting under Chairmanship of Shri Niranjan Singh Director (HRD) with the Staff Side on the demands raised in the Strike Notice( for 17th August 2006) – 22nd July 2006
The following decisions were taken:
Uniform Committee will be reconstituted.
Anomaly Committee recommendations will be considered.
A Committee will be formed for framing Standing Orders
300 Earned leave and 2 RH for Industrial workers under consideration
RCGEGIS will be refunded
Free calls for BSNL employees in MTNL area and vice-versa settled. Agreement with MTNL is being made.
A committee for upgradation of Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ cadres in corporation office agreed.
Corporation office will be shifted from rented Statesman Building to BSNL new building by November 2006.
All the joint committees of staff side and official side will start discussion with out delay.
The regularization of the casual labour will be considered within the frame work of the Supreme Court judgment.
Promotion to Asst. Grade in C.O. will be favourably considered.
Holding of examinations to various cadres will be speeded up.
Circle Status council to corporate office will be considered.
XII Meeting of NC – 31st August 2006
CMD attended the meeting.
Supply of mobile /WLL phones will be supplied to out door staff.
PLI for 2005-06 will be paid before Puja.
Discussion will start for wage revision from 01-01-2007
XIII Meeting of NC – 4th December 2006
Management agreed to refer to DOT the demand of the staff side to increase minimum bonus to Rs. 10,000. (Rs.10,000 granted)
Counting of past service of casual labourers will be referred to DOT.
Date of effect of BCR scale on completed date of 26 years will be referred to DOT (accepted)
Restoration of creation of posts for Compassionate Ground appointments will be submitted to BSNL Board for approval.
Special Meeting with CMD BSNL after Notice for agitational programme including strike – 3days discussion and settlement.
Refund of CGEIS will be speeded up
Number of members in Staff Side at National Council increased to 15.
Formation of Works Committees agreed.
Management agreed to increase the number of office-bearers of the union.
Wage Negotiations will start.
Between the II and III Verification, 7 Council meetings ( one adjourned meeting also) and two special meetings with CMD/Director (HR) were held to discuss issues included in the strike notice.
The III Membership Verification was held in December 2006. The details in next write-up (continued )
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