NO TO PRIVATISATION OF BPCL…..
Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Federations calls for Observance of Countrywide Solidarity Actions with the Two-days United Strike Action by BPCL Unions Against Anti-national Move of Privatisation on 7th and 8th September 2020.
The meeting of the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Federations held on 24th August 2020 at New Delhi welcomes the decision of the unions of employees of Bharat Petroleum Corporations Ltd (BPCL) to go in for united strike action in BPCL establishments throughout the country on 7th and 8th September 2020 against the anti- national move of the Government for outright privatization of BPCL through strategic sale and also against brazen attack on the rights of the workers.
The Joint Platform of CTUs and Federations again addressed a joint letter to the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas on 25th August 2020 to refrain from such a anti- national move which will deprive the Government of regular annual income of more than Rs.8000/- crores in dividend alone, besides taxes etc. As decided in the joint meeting, the Joint Platform of CTUs and Federations also calls upon all the unions and federations in the country and workers in general to hold massive solidarity action in respective workplaces and industrial centres on 7th and
8th September 2020 in support of the striking BPCL employees against privatization and attack on labour rights.
INTUC AITUC HMS CITU AIUTUC
TUCC SEWA AICCTU LPF UTUC

Red salute to Comrade Ho-Chi-Minh on his 51st Death Anniversary

51 years have passed after the death of Comrade Ho-Chi-Minh, the revolutionary leader who won freedom for the Vietnam and made it a Communist nation. It was not an easy task. The US, with all its war machine was compelled to accept defeat and withdraw from its attack on the country. The socialist system once again showed its superiority in facing the epidemic Covid-19, with very few causalities in Vietnam.

Red salute to Com. Ho-Chi-Minh!

As per the decision of the Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations, a Memorandum was prepared on the issues of BSNL and its workers and presented to the Prime Minister on 14th February 2014. The following were the main demands:

1. No Merger of BSNL and MTNL without settling the question of MTNL’s huge liability, disinvestment and the HR issues.
2. No formation of subsidiary Tower Company as proposed.
3. Revival of BSNL
4. Loss of rural services to be compensated to BSNL.
5. Provide soft loans to BSNL for procurement of equipment etc.

Forum also expressed its strong protest against the non-discussion of these items by the BSNL management as also by the DOT.

Lunch Hour Demonstrations on 28-02-2014

As per decision of the Forum Meeting held on 27-02-2014, lunch hour demonstrations were held on 28-02-2014 against merger of BSNL and MTNL and formation of companies bifurcating BSNL. Though there was only short notice, the programme was well responded by the workers.

Supernumerary Benefits to Directly Recruited employees.

The Forum leaders met the high Power Committee appointed by the management on 14-02-2014 and discussed about the superannuation benefits to the BSNL recruited employees. Forum leaders insisted that 30% benefits as per the guide lines of DPE be provided. The management was prepared to provide only 20%. A detailed letter on our demands was given to the management.

Merger of BSNL and MTNL

Forum wrote a strong letter to the BSNL management and DOT opposing the proposed merger of BSNL and MTNL and warned that if any arbitrary decision is taken, the workers will be compelled to go on agitational programmes including indefinite strike. It was assured by DOT that the concerns raised by the unions will be taken in to consideration and the unions will be consulted before any final decision is taken.

Pension Contribution.

Forum demanded the DOT that the pension contribution to be paid by BSNL to DOT should be on the actual basic salary and not on the maximum of the scale as is being calculated at present. No decision was taken in the matter.

Passive Infrastructure Agreement between BSNL and Reliance

When it came to the notice of the Forum that an agreement has been made between BSNL and reliance for passive infrastructure of BSNL towers, it held a meeting immediately on 18-07-2014 and discussed the issue. The Forum demanded the management to immediately provide it with all the details of the agreement after which the Forum will discuss again. ( to be continued).

News have been spread that the serving employees of BSNL will be getting another reimbursement of medical bills up to March, 2020 along with their salary of August, 2020. Earlier they were paid the medical bills upto September, 2019 along with the salary of May, 2020. AIBDPA had to launch countrywide Standing Dharna on 19-08-2020 against the apathy and discrimination to the BSNL retirees by the BSNL management which was a huge success. But the BSNL management is again indulging in their discriminatory action by repeatedly ignoring the more deserving BSNL pensioners in payment of medical bills and allowance, pending for more than 18 months.

In this backdrop, Com.V A N Namboodiri , Advisor had a detailed discussion with Shri.P K Purwar, CMD, BSNL on 31-08-2020 over telephone. Com. V A N brought to the notice of the CMD, the distress and difficulties being faced by the BSNL pensioners due to the non-payment of pending medical bills and allowance. He also pointed out that discriminatory action of BSNL management by making payment to the serving employees, ignoring the retirees,  has caused much resentment among the BSNL pensioners and urged the CMD to initiate urgent steps for early payment of pending medical bills and allowance to the BSNL pensioners. The CMD stated that BSNL is still in finacial difficulties and unable to make payment immediately and will consider the issue within two months, when the revenue income is expected to improve.

The response of the CMD, BSNL on this vital issue of BSNL pensioners is disappointing and condemnable. CHQ will definetly decide on future course of action without much delay. ( courtesy: AIBDPA website)

After the Forum leaders contacted them, many Members of Parliament of various parties, including S/Shri Basudeb Acharia (CPIM), Dr. Sanjeeva reddy (Congress), Khagan Das (CPIM), P.R.Natarajan (CPIM) Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) wrote to the Prime minister and Communications Minister demanding the revival of BSNL. Questions in the Parliament were also raised by some M.P.s.

Meeting with CMD BSNL on 30-11-2013

A meeting of the Forum with the CMD Shri R.K.Upadhyay was held on 30-11-2013, which was participated by all the general Secretaries. The demands of the workers as well as the proposals for the revival of BSNL were discussed in detail.

Closure of Telegraph Services by BSNL – Strong Protest.

The Government and BSNL management decided to close the centuries old Telegraph Services wef 15th July 2013, stating that there is no business and the service is in loss. The Forum strongly opposed this wrong move and demanded that at least in the major cities, it should continue. The Convener of Forum, Com. V.A.N.Namboodirivisited Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata Central Telegraph Offices, held meetings, collected the existing number of telegrams and other particulars and demanded the management and government not to close down the telegram services, stating that the people are using the same. Press statements were issued. BBC and other newspapers and media gave wide publicity. However, BSNL management closed the services on 15th July itself.

On the last day, people queued before the CTOs and send telegrams till 2400 hours. It was a nostalgia for them to send the telegram for the last time. Since there were still people in the queue, the CTOs functioned till all were allowed to book their telegrams.

On our demand, a Telegraph Museum was established in Kolkata.

Parliament March by CTUs on 12th December 2013.

As per the decision of the Forum, BSNL employees in large numbers participated in the Parliament march held on 12th December 2013 organised by the Central trade Unions on the 10 point demands.

Very  sad and shocking news. It has been informed by Shri Suresh Kumar, General secretary of BSNLMS  that Shri Mallikarjun, President of BTEF and a senior leader of the telecom trade union movement has passed away late night of 24th August at Hyderabad. He was not well for some time. Earlier he was General Secretary of BTEF and was headquartered at Delhi. Mallikarjun was a leader having thorough knowledge of the telecom issues and a very amicable person dealing with  all his comrades and friends.

It may be a coincidence that most of the times I went to Delhi during the last two three years, Mallikarjun was also at Delhi during that time and we spent some time along with Suresh Kumar enjoying tea and biscuits and discussing in general about the telecom developments. Discussion with him was very interesting and informative.

His death is a big loss to the Telecom TU movement and especially to the BTEF /BSNLMS. My heartfelt condolences to the bereave family, friends and colleagues.