WFTU May Day Message

25 Thursday Apr 2013

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WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS Class oriented – uniting – democratic – modern – independent – internationalist!

MAY DAY 2013

WE WILL NOT BECOME THE SLAVES OF THE 21ST CENTURY

The World Federation of Trade Unions appeals to all the trade union organizations in the world to organize on the occasion of May Day 2013 rallies and activities in all countries, in all continents, honoring the International Workers’ Day and the martyrs of the working class. The WFTU proposes, based on its resolution at its Presidential Council Meeting on March 7-8,2013 in Lima Peru, the slogan: ”

CHICAGO SHOWED US THE WAY” to be used next to the respective slogans of each union organization.

The international trade union movement bears great responsibility to protect and defend the International Workers Day from the efforts of capitalist governments, employers, various institutions and non governmental organizations to vanquish this day or completely alter its meaning.

The May Day is for the international working class a

SYMBOL of the irreplaceable role that the workers hold in the society and the production, of the important and the victorious achievements of the class struggles historically, of the fact that all the rights are the fruit of bloody struggles. Nothing was handed over to the working people.

The May Day is a DAY OF MEMORY AND TRIBUTE to the martyrs of the working class who sacrificed themselves in the crucial and decisive strikes of the American workers in Chicago (1886) demanding 8 hours of work, 8 hours of recreation, 8 hours of rest, as well as the struggles for the working hours in many countries all over the world before and after the Chicago strikes, throughout the history of the class struggle until today. We pay tribute to the martyrs of the working class who were killed, tortured, imprisoned and were forcibly disappeared by the anti-popular and anti-labor governments of the capital in all continents.

The May Day is a LESSON FOR THE NEW GENERATIONS that includes the principles of the working class such as the proletarian internationalism, the class unity, the irreplaceable value of the decisive struggles with class-orientation.

Most of all, the May Day is a DAY OF STRUGGLE where the International Working Class meets in the streets of the fight for the contemporary labour and social rights. For the right to less working hours with dignified salaries which was realistic in the 1880’s and cannot be unrealistic in the technological progress of the 21st century!

Nowadays, while capitalism being in its deep crisis exposes in all the spectrum its barbaric, brutal and ruthless face confiscating any ounce of right from the working class and the popular strata; Nowadays that the competition of the monopolies creates more battlefields and new imperialist interventions; Nowadays that the state violence, repression of social and labour struggles and the violation of the trade union freedom escalate internationally let’s move:

Chicago showed the way – NO to the contemporary capitalist slavery

We fight for a world without exploitation of men by men

On May Day, the WFTU expresses its internationalist solidarity with the people of Cuba, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Mali, Colombia, Venezuela etc.

THE SECRETARIAT

Athens, Greece – April 16

th 2013

Regularise Left-out Casual labours in BSNL

25 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

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There are about 3450 casual labours working in BSNL for the last 15 to 20 years. They are attending to all kinds of works from line and cable work to clerical and technical jobs. They have been engaged during the DOT period ie. before 01-10-2000. At the time of formation of BSNL, the government assured that all these left-out casual labours will be regularised in BSNL provided that the casual labour has worked one year for 240 days without break. About 6,000 casual labours were regularised accordingly. But due to delay in forwarding their cases to BSNL corporate office by the SSA/Circle administration these 3450 were again left out.

They are getting wages at the lowest pay scale in CDA scale. But they should get in the IDA scale. On the plea of a Supreme Court judgement, they are being denied regularisation. But based on the same judgement, casual workers in Income Tax, Customs etc. are regularised. Despite maximum efforts by BSNLEU and also BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation, the management is adamantly refusing to regularise them. This is most unjust. These workers who have spent the best of their youth for DOT/BSNL is being deprived of their rightful claim of regularisation.

Most of these casual labour (2270) belong to W.Bengal. Not a single casual labour was regularised from W.Bengal only due to administrative delay. Had their claims sent in time to Corporate office, they would have been regularised. These poor labours are being punished for the laziness of the heads of SSAs and Circles. And these top officers are enjoying all the benefits that from the company. This injustice can not be tolerated. Even as per Supreme Court judgement, regularisation can be done, but the management is insensitive and completely against regularising them. There is no other way but sustained struggle to end this injustice.

That is exactly what the W.Bengal Circle Union has decided. Two days back, more than 1000 casual workers went on an Indefinite Strike. After certain assurances from the CGMT W.Bengal, the hunger strike has been deferred. CHQ also discussed the issue with the management. But the management is not prepared to concede the demand of regularisation.

This is a black-mark on the face of the BSNL Management. While the Government departments can regularise their casual labour, while the PSUs are even regularising their contract workers, why not the BSNL management can’t do the same. Struggle is the only way to fight against the injustice and make the management to do justice to the labour.

BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF should move together and ensure that justice is meted out to these toiling workers.

Left Parties plan all- India campaigns

25 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by in Left News, Uncategorized

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New Delhi, Apr 25 : Amid talk of early general elections, Left parties today decided to step up all-India campaigns on some crucial issues as part of their strategy to jointly intervene in the evolving political scenario and provide an alternative platform against Congress and BJP.

Top leaders of the four parties met and decided to organise an all-India political convention here in the firstweek of July to work out the next steps in this regard.

The hour-long meeting was attended by Prakash Karat (CPI-M), D Raja, S Sudhakar Reddy (both CPI), Debabrata Biswas, G Devarajan (both Forward Bloc) and Abani Roy (RSP).

“At this convention, we will discuss the emerging political scenario and how the Left parties, as a united group, could intervene. The convention will also set out the tasks before these parties,” Raja told PTI after the meeting.                 Biswas, the Forward Bloc General Secretary, also said the Left parties, through this convention which would be attended by activists of Left parties from across the country, would “unitedly provide an alternative to the BJP and the Congress”.

An agenda on the alternative policy platform would be adopted at the convention which would also work out the future course of action, Biswas said.

The Left parties have already decided to work for the creation of a non-Congress, non-BJP formation which would adhere to a policy platform as an alternative to the ‘neo- liberal’ policies pursued and supported by the two major parties.

This was the second meeting of the Left leaders in as many weeks. At the last meeting, they had opposed thecrucial Land Acquisition Bill and demanded that it be referred back to the Standing Committee or a Joint Select Committee.

 

Central Employees Demand VII CPC

25 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by in TU News - India

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The Central government employees have demanded for VII Central Pay Commission for effecting next wage revision. The demand has been jointly raised by the All India Railwaymen Federation (AIRF), Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers and All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF). These organisations have jointly called for massive demonstrations on 29th April 2013 on the demand of VII CPC and Withdrawal of PFRDA Bill.

I welcome this development of joint action by all the Central Government employees! This is most necessary and appropriate.

Com.Mrinal Kanti Dasgupta passed away.

25 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by in BSNLEU, Obituary, Tributes

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Comrade Mrinal Kanti Dasgupta, veteran leader of the Telecom Trade Union movement passed away today, 25th April 2013, at Ruby hospital in Kolkata. He was 82.

Comrade Dasgupta was one of the senior most leaders and was the President of the E.III Union Calcutta Telephone circle as also that of 12th July Committee, Central Govt. Employees Co-ordination Committee and Pensioners’ organisations. His great contribution in the growth of E.III (N) Union and BSNLEU is well appreciated.

I express my deep grief at his sad demise and convey my condolences to the bereaved family, Kolkata Circle Union, comrades and friends!

Thousands of Casual/Contract workers on Indefinite Hunger Strike

23 Tuesday Apr 2013

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

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More than one thousand casual and contract workers started Hunger Strike on 22nd April in front of CGM Office, W.Bengal Circle, demanding regularisation of casual labours, IDA wages instead of CDA wages to casual labour, payment of arrears of wages to contract workers etc. The Hunger Strike was led by Com. Tapas Ghosh, General Secretary, BSNLCCWF and others. Com. Animesh Mitra, Dy.GS, BSNLEU and Vice-President BSNLCCWF addressed.

In the evening I met Shri R.N.Rai, Director (HR) BSNL and informed about the critical situation and asked for intervention and settlement of the issues which are fully justified. He assured that he will contact with CGM and find some solution. The leaders at Kolkatta discussed with the CGM WB and on the basis of the assurances given by him deferred the hunger strike. Myself met the Dir(HR) again on 23rd and demanded settlement with out any further delay. My Congratulations for the W.Bengal Comrades for the massive hunger strike that has been organised.

The various issues of the Casual/Contractual Workers are as follows:

                       (i) Regularization of  Left out listed Casual workers,

                       (ii) Timely payment of monthly wages to Casual/Contractual Workers,

                       (iii) Timely payment of VDA,

                       (iv) Retirement benefits after 60 years,

                       (v) Death benefit from Circle welfare Fund on the event of death of a Causal/Contractual  Worker,

                      (vi) Payment of wage to Casual/Contractual Workers as per IDA Pay scale. 

                      

Issue Recognition Orders with out delay

22 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by in BSNL News

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The results of the membership verification has been announced  on 18th April 2013. Since the orders on the same have not been issued so far till today evening, I met Shri A.N.Rai, Director (HR) BSNL and explained to him the urgency for issuing the orders expeditiously. After some discussion, he agreed that the orders recognising the eligible unions ( BSNLEU and NFTE) will be issued tomorrow.

Mukesh Ambani a National Asset?

22 Monday Apr 2013

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On the face of the severe criticism that has arisen on the decision to accord ‘Z’ category security with escort and pilot car with 22 commandos for the Corporate Zsar Mukesh Ambani, the Government has justified the same stating that he is a “National Asset.”

Now, how many “National Assets” are going to be given the ‘Z’ category security?  Tata, Birla etc. etc? Despite CAG criticism as also SC observations have been ignored by the government.

Ministers Panel set up for revival of BSNL – MTNL

22 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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The government has set up a panel of Ministers probably headed by Finance Minister P.Chidambaram to make suggestions for the revival of BSNL and MTNL. It is reported that other members of this panel will be Communications Minister Kapil Sibal, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, Dy. Chairman Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Information Minister Manish Tewari and Minister of state for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension V.Narayana Samy. The Panel of Ministers is given three months time to submit the report. Further details are awaited.

It is only due to the anti-PSU policies of the government that the present situation has arrived. It is the responsibility of the government to make the company financially viable.

The Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations will be meeting on 2nd May to discuss and plan our priorities and prepare the memorandum to be submitted to the Committee.

Nicolas Maduro sworn-in as President of Venezuela

21 Sunday Apr 2013

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HAVANA, Cuba, Apr 19: Nicolás Maduro was sworn-in today as   democratically-elected President of the Bolivarian Republic of   Venezuela at the National Assembly in Caracas, reported Prensa Latina news agency.
Maduro received the presidential sash from the President of the   National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, and Maria Gabriela Chavez,   daughter of late President Hugo Chavez, with Maduro vowing to continue
the legacy of justice started 14 years ago with the Bolivarian   Revolution.
“I would like to start this speech by asking for protection and   blessings from Commander Hugo Chavez so that he gives me wisdom to get   to know how to build a homeland of peace, love, inclusive, of all and
for all Venezuelans,” said Maduro during his first address to the   nation as President.
He recalled the 203th anniversary of the beginning of the  independence war against Spain, and said Venezuela is now in democracy  and peace and.
Maduro appreciated the presence in the inauguration ceremony of 17  heads of State and 61 delegations from around the world, as well as  the expressions of solidarity and international support