CPI(M) supports call for 28th February Strike

20 Friday Jan 2012

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The Central Committee of the CPI(M) held at Kolkata extended its full support to the call of the central trade unions for a one-day general strike on February 28, 2012. This united action by all the trade unions has raised demands, which are not only in the interests of the working class but concern the people of the country as a whole. The Central Committee directed all its Party units to work wholeheartedly to make the strike a total success.

Will all other parties also support the strike, especially the Congress? 

Fog, the spoil-sport

20 Friday Jan 2012

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It was a long journey for me today from New Delhi to Kozhikode. I started at 0500 hours early morning from D-7 Telegraph Place to New Delhi Airport so that I can board the 0700 hours Calicut flight. The fog was so thick so that it was even difficult to see some 15 metres ahead. However I reached in time for check-in. I reached the boarding gate after security check by about 0615 hours. The boarding time was scheduled at 0620 hours.  Yes, all the passengers boarded by 0630 hours.I was feeling happy that despite the fog, the flight may start in time ie.0700 hours.That was my mistake.

Everybody were in their seats, mobile phones were switched off and seat-belts were tightened. Minutes ticked by and it was about half an hour.  Many have started sleeping also.  But the plane was standing still. There was no movement. Then came the announcement from the cock-pit. Due to severe fog, the vision is only up to 50 metres. The minimum vision for take off should be at least 125 metres. It is expected that by one hour, the vision may reach the minimum requirement. He also announced that break-fast will be supplied immediately ( to satisfy the passengers?)

Break-fast and tea/coffee were served. It was almost 0900 hours. But the visibility has not improved, announced the pilot. The TV screen in front of the passengers were put on and the cinemas/ songs started. Some started sleeping, some talking and others watching the cinemas.

It was by about 10.15 that the plane moved slowly. Pilot announced again that the visibility is above the minimum and plane can take off. Only one problem – there are about 5 other planes in the queue before us. At last, the flight took of at 1040 hours – after a delay of three hours and forty minutes.

After stopping at Mumbai and then at Coimbatore, the flight landed at Calicut at 1600 hours. About 9 hours, which would have sufficient to reach the Europian cities. All were very much tired. But defeating the fog, we have reached the destination.

This is not the case of today only. Whenever, there is heavy fog neither flight, nor train will be able to proceed in time or reach the destination in time. The technology and science have advanced far, but is there no system that can manage the fog? That will save a lot of difficulties for the people.

 

T

BSNL pleads for Rs.15,000 crore from government – ET report

19 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Uncategorized

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NEW DELHI: State-owned BSNL, which is fast running out of cash to pay employee salaries, is looking to raise over Rs 12,000 crore long term loan, as it has depleted its reserves and desperately requires finding to meet upcoming capital and operating expenditures.
Executives in BSNL management admitted that the company was looking at banks to offer the PSU a lifeline, but denied reports that it had appointed SBI Capital Markets to arrange the loans.
ET had reported last month that BSNL, that was sitting on cash pile of over Rs 40,000 crore till March 2008, and was using its interest income to buttress its profits, may soon be forced to seek a government bailout to survive.
The telco is also learnt to have asked the government to fast track the process of refunding it about Rs 8,000 crore as the telecoms department had approved its plan to surrender its wireless broadband access spectrum in most circles. In the interim period, the telco wants a one-time grant equivalent to this amount to pay for its GSM tender for 14 million lines, expand its 3G offering and meet employee wage bills.
It had also sought about Rs 1,500 crore support from the Universal Service Obligation Fund to sustain its rural landline operations, a move that was turned down by the government.
BSNL had recorded a whopping loss of Rs 6,384 crore for the year-ended March 11, capping a series of dismal results in the last four years that saw the erstwhile monopoly being reduced to a bit player in the fast-growing market.
Once considered as jewel among the India’s state run companies, BSNL began the current financial year with reserves of just Rs 2500 crore. Off this, BSNL had a bank deposit of only Rs 840 crore while the rest is current account and being used for running its businesses.
But in March 2010, BSNL had cash reserves to the tune of Rs 30,343.40 crore.
“Our employee costs account fro 46.5% of the company’s total revenues. No company can survive if employee costs eats away a bulk of revenues,” BSNL’s chairman and managing director RK Upadhyay had told ET last month. On revenues of Rs 29,687 crore, the company has incurred employee cost of Rs 13,791 crore during the last fiscal, as per its balance sheet, a copy of which was reviewed by ET.
Upadhyay had further added that the telco’s cash reserves had collapsed as it paid out close to Rs 19,000 crore for 3G and wireless broadband access (BWA) spectrum in 2009. BSNL did not take part in the auctions, but was mandated to match the winning bid in all circles. This resulted in the telco paying up Rs 10,186.58 crore for 3G airwaves and a further Rs 8,314 crore for BWA airwaves.
BSNL also attempted to reduce its employee numbers by a third by offering about 100,000 employees a voluntary retirement scheme late last year, but the proposal failed to take off after severe opposition from its unions.
In 2009, a panel headed by Sam Pitroda, advisor to the prime minister on public information infrastructure and innovations, had advocated that loss-making BSNL take the VRS route to prune its near 2.77 lakh headcount by a third.
BSNL’s last order for mobile equipment was in 2006, when it issued a tender for 45 million lines, but this was eventually reduced to 22 million lines after former telecoms minister A Raja had intervened. In 2010,BSNL had cancelled its 93 million lines contract, the world’s largest for telecom equipment.
Following the junking of the 93 million lines contract, which had run into several controversies, including court cases and a probe by the Central Vigilance Commission, BSNL subsequently launched a tender for 5.5 million lines, which barred Chinese vendors initially, only to re-launch the bidding process to include the same, leading to protests from Western bidders resulting in the eventual cancellation of this tender.
After this, the telco had attempted a fresh tender for 15 million GSM lines, and Chinese participation in the bidding process has now raised fresh security concerns from the home ministry and the IB, forcing it to delay placing orders yet again.

 

Economic TimesIndiatimes MailItimes Account

JAC submits detailed note to CLC on the strike demands

19 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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The Joint Action Committee of BSNL Associations/Unions of Executives and Non-Executives has submitted a detailed note to the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) who is chairing the conciliation proceedings in the matter. The next meeting of the conciliation is scheduled to be held on 31st January.  The JAC meeting held today decided to meet the CMD, before the date of conciliation.

KG Bose Bhawan will be inaugurated on 22nd March 2012

19 Thursday Jan 2012

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K.G.Bose Bhawan, the newly purchased building of BSNLEU will be inaugurated on 22nd March 2012. The date is also the foundation day of BSNLEU. CEC meeting of BSNLEU also will be held at that time in New Delhi. CHQ is making all arrangements to make the programme a great success.

DOT proposes new pricing for 2G spectrum

19 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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The DOT has proposed that the 2G spectrum should be auctioned in future. 2G spectrum is valued at 1.65 times of 3G price. Those who are having more than 6.2 Mhz will have to pay additional charges for the same.

Decision of the Communications Minister is required on these proposals.

Bharti Airtel to pay Rs. 1,067 crore as per IT Department for its overseas operation

19 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by in TU News - Telecom specific

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The Income Tax Department has slapped notice on Bharti Airtel  for Rs. 1,067 crore  towards its overseas operations for the last four years. The company denied that there is no due. But everybody very well knows that these private companies are avoiding payment of taxes and other dues on one pretext or other.

Already the private telecom companies have been imposed a penalty of Rs. 1,594 crore for underrating revenues and paying lower revenue share.

We Remember Com. E.Balanandan, Veteran Trade Union Leader

19 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by in Obituary, Tributes

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To day is the third death anniversary of one of the great trade union leaders of the country, Comrade E.Balanandan.  Throughout his entire life, he fought for the interest of the working class. From an ordinary worker, an electrician, he rose to as one of the top most TU leader in the country. He was the President of the CITU for a long time. He continued as a PBM of the CPI(M) for a long period. He functioned as a Member of Parliament also.

He was very closely connected with the P&T Trade Union movement. He was guide and advisor to the BSNL Employees Union. At all times of crises, he was there to help us. I was personally very close to him and I sought his advise in all trade union matters. He took our issues inside and outside parliament.

On his death anniversary, I pay my respectful homage to this revolutionary leader! Red Salute to Comrade Balanandan!

The Historical Strike of 19th January 1981- Indian workers started the struggle 30 years back

18 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by in TU News - India, Uncategorized

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The senior leaders and workers of the trade unions in India will be remembering the first historical successful general strike which was organised on 19th January 1982, 30 years back. It was indeed historical. The call was given by the National Campaign Committee of Central Trade Unions and All India Federations.

The Historic One Day General Strike of 19th January 1982.

The massive strike of the Indian working class on 19th January 1982, 30 years back, was indeed historical. It was for the first time that after a very long period that the Central Trade Unions came together under the banner of National Campaign Committee to raise the genuine issues of the workers and common people and continued sustained struggles

Working People’s National Convention in Bombay

As per the decisions of the Central Trade Unions’ meeting held at New Delhi on 23rd March 1981, a National Convention of Working People was held at Bombay on 4th June 1981. Delegates from all over India participated in large numbers. In addition to the Central Trade Unions, representatives from the All India Federations of government employees, Public Sector employees and others participated. The representatives from undivided National Federation of P&T Employees also participated (NFPTE was bifurcated as NFPE and NFTE after the Calcutta Federal council in 1986). Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan,  former circle Secretary of E.III Kerala and other delegates participated from Kerala. The Convention was addressed by Central TU leaders, Com. P.Ramamurthy (CITU), Indrajit Gupta (AITUC), D.P.Thengdi (BMS), S.S.Dara (INTUC) and others. It was also addressed by Coms. S.K.Vyas (Confederation),N.J.Iyer (NFPTE) and other leaders of  All India federations. The Convention unanimously adopted the following 13 points Charter of Demands.

Charter of demands

  1. Sale of all essential commodities such as food grains, edible oils, cloth, sugar, etc. at subsidised prices through a net work of shops in a comprehensive public distribution system under the control and supervision of popular committees.
  2. Remunerative prices to the peasants and guaranteed supply of inputs.
  3. Enactment and implementation of legislation to guarantee a minimum living wage and job security for agricultural workers.
  4. Stringent measures against black-marketeers, hoarders and smugglers, speculators and officers protecting them.
  5. Repeal of the National Security Act 1980 and the Essential Services Maintenance Act 1981
  6. Need-based Minimum Wage for the working class on the basis of the norms laid down by the 15th Indian Labour Conference.
  7. Full neutralisation of the rise in the cost of living and removal of the ceiling of Rs. 1.30 per point rise in the price index (1960 base) arbitrarily fixed by the bureau of Public Enterprise.
  8. Amendment to the Payment of Bonus Act providing bonus to all workers without ceiling or precondition
  9. Ban on retrenchment and closures, introduction of unemployment allowance to the unemployed.
  10. Withdrawal of all victimisation measures against trade union workers and activists.
  11. Rectification of fraudulent Cost of Living Indices.
  12. Recognition of Trade Unions on the basis of secret ballot.
  13. Full guarantee of collective bargaining and trade union rights.

The following programmes of action were also planned:

  1. A day’s token strike on 19th January 1982.
  2. In preparation thereof, State/Region wise Conventions should be held. It should be followed by demonstrations and rallies.
  3. On 23rd November 1981, there should be a March before Parliament in New Delhi
  4. In preparation for the mass rally a day to be observed on 3rd November  1981 by holding rallies all over India.

Black Day on 17th August 1981

In preparation for the sustained struggle, eight Central Trade Unions jointly issued a call to observe 17th August 1981, the day on which the monsoon session of Parliament was to start, as Black Day by holding demonstrations etc.  This was implemented successfully.

Parliament March on 23rd November 1981

The Parliament March was a complete success.  The Boat Club was completely filled by the participants who have come from all parts of the country. More than 10 lakh delegates participated. Central TU leaders addressed the March. The Charter of demands was presented to the Government by the leaders.

This was the first time that such a large number of workers, including agricultural workers, participated in an All India programme. Trade Unions of various colours and ideology joined together to defend and protect the interests of the workers including the agricultural workers. This was the harbinger of many such struggles in the future.

All India Conference of AITE Union Class III at Calcutta.

The All India Conference of AITE Union Class III, an affiliate of the NFPTE, was held at Calcutta from 29th December 1981 to 1st January 1982. Com. Indrajit Gupta, M.P., and veteran leader of AITUC inaugurated the AIC and called upon the workers to participate in the strike. The house was in full support of the call. A resolution for participation in the strike was moved by the progressive section in the AIC. But Com. O.P.Gupta, General Secretary of the union, did not agree. Despite strong protests from the majority of workers, he announced the decision to go on strike ‘wherever possible’. It was a ploy for non-participation. There was a walk-out from the house protesting against such a decision. The progressive section declared that they will participate in the strike. Com.O.P.Gupta again ensured a similar decision in the NFPTE. But the leadership of Comrades N.J.Iyer and   K.Adinarayana declared that their unions will go on strike. In the Confederation of Central Government Employees also it was decided to go on strike. The leadership of O.P.Gupta and similar other leaders were not prepared for a common struggle of the working class. Their final decision was to organise demonstrations on the day, instead of strike.

The Historic Strike

The strike was a great success all over the country. In Kerala, W.Bengal etc. the strike was full success, even in P&T. All India Radio and newspapers were used by the government to unleash offensive against the striking workers.  In many places, Congress workers were used against the strike and to bring blacklegs to the offices. INTUC did not strike despite its participation in the convention. The success of the strike, despite the ESMA, shocked the government.

Victimisation

In the P&T,  victimisation took place in some places like Kerala. Comrade N.J.Iyer wrote in his “Panorama of P&T Trade Union Movement”, “ V.A.N.Namboodiri, Circle Secretary, E.III, Calicut , M.P.Kunhanandan, Assistant Circle Secretary and K.Damodaran, Branch Secretary were issued Rule 14 charge sheets besides dies-non and break-n-services”  in connection with the strike.  Later in connection with the struggle against victimisation and against unjustified rotational transfers, the entire Circle Working Committee members of Calicut were transferred out the District, and this writer, who was the Circle Secretary, was transferred to Lakshadweep. Dies-non for 35 months was issued against the writer, who refused to join at Kavaratti Islands, as per the decision of the Union. At last as per High Court Orders, the transfer was cancelled.

Martyrs

In Tamil Nadu, three agricultural workers became martyrs of the strike at the hands of the state government. Memorial for them was constructed for them.

Looking Back

After thirty years, when we are looking back and remembering the strike, we can see the sea of change that has taken place. Many strikes of the working class took place as per the call of the National campaign Committee, Platform of Mass Organisations etc. 19 nationwide strikes, almost one every year, have taken place after 1991, after the implementation of the neo-liberalisation policy by the central government. Unity of the central trade unions for joint struggle against the anti-worker, anti-people policy of the central government has strengthened after the INTUC as also BMS joined the main stream of struggles.

The last two years have seen the united and sustained struggles of the working class like Rasta roko, Parliament March etc. under the leadership of the central trade unions.

Towards the One Day Nationwide Strike of 28th February 2012

The Central Trade Unions have given a call for a one day nationwide strike on 28th February 2012 on the 10 Points Charter of Demands which has been welcomed by the entire working class. Efforts are being made to make it a complete success. State level conventions are being held to propagate the demands and to make the strike a success. The Public Sector Unions have held a successful convention on 13th January 2012 at Bangalore and have decided to make the strike a complete success.

In the BSNL, BSNLEU, NFTE, FNTO, BTEU, TEPU etc. have already decided to go on strike. The meeting of the Joint Action Committee of BSNL Associations/Unions of Executives and Non-Executives is expected to take a positive decision in its meeting to be held on 19th January 2012 for participation in the strike.

Let the memory of the historic strike on 19th January 1981 give more and more inspiration in our future struggles. Let us March ahead to a successful strike on 28th February 2012!

Demonstrations in front of White House by ‘Occupy Wall Street’ Protestors

18 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by in TU News - International

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Thousands of ‘Occupy Wall Street’ protestors demonstrated in front of White House, the official residence of the President  of the United States  in Washington continuing their protests against inequality, unemployment and other issues on which they had been continuing their agitation. It is also reported that in between, a smoke bomb was hurled at the white house by unknown people.

The US government has so far kept silence on the incidents.