Tag Archives: Forum

Forum Condemns dastardly attack against Com.C.K.Mathivanan, Chairma, Forum, Chennai

23 Thursday Apr 2015

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In a shocking incident, Com.C.K.Mathivanan, Circle Secretary, NFTE and Chairman of Forum, Chennai Circle, has been murderously attacked with a 3-4 feet sword by one disgruntled employee (J.Stalin, RM) of the CGM(O) on 22nd April, the second day of the strike. The comrades nearby overpowered the culprit and avoided a tragedy. Com. Mathivanan was wounded and he was taken to the hospital and  treated. He has been advised complete rest.

The Circle Forum leaders, including Com.K.Govindaraj, CS BSNLEU and Convener Forum met the CGM and demanded immediate action against the culprit.

The Forum strongly demands that immediate action should be taken to suspend and file FIR against the culprit.

 

BSNL Employees creating History through their struggle to Save BSNL

20 Monday Apr 2015

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News, Forum, General

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2.25 lakh BSNL employees will create History through their Two Days Strike on 21-22 April 2015 for safe guarding the interests of BSNL and for its Revival. The Joint Forum / Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations since the formation of BSNL has been making all out efforts to fight the anti-PSU policy of the government – both NDA and UPA – and have gone on many strikes against VRS, Disinvestment, Unbundling and so on and has been generally successful in stopping them.

This time, the strike is for the Revival of BSNL. It is a “Do or Die” battle, since BSNL is already in red with loss for five years since 2010. The government has to change its anti-PSU policy. It has to honour and implement its own assurances to BSNL that the financial viability of the company will be ensured through payment of ADC, liberal subsidy from USO Fund and also by reimbursement of licence fee. These are all withdrawn for many years.

The 20 Point Strike demands are well known to the workers. It is intended to revive BSNL. BSNL is our bread and butter. It is to be saved.

Towards Two Days Strike on 21-22 April 2015. 100% participation will show the government and the management that the workers will not tolerate any non-sense. We will have to continue the struggles even after the strike.

 

AIIEA supports 2 Days Strike of BSNL employees on 21-22 April 2015

19 Sunday Apr 2015

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU, PSU

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Com. V.Ramesh, General Secretary, All India Insurance Employees Association, the mighty union of the LIC employees, have extended its support and solidarity to the two days strike of BSNL Employees on 21-22 April 2015 for the Revival of BSNL. We thank AIIEA for the support. The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations have sought their support in the struggle. The copy of the letter is given below: ALL INDIA INSURANCE EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION LIC BUILDING  SECRETARIAT ROADHYDERABAD  500063 Email: aiieahyd@gmail.com   PRESIDENT:                                                                                                                   Phone: 040-23244595 AMANULLA KHAN GENERAL SECRETARY:

  1. RAMESH

17th April, 2015. To All Zonal General Secretaries & Secretary, Standing Committee (GI)   Dear Comrades, Express Solidarity to BSNL Employees’ Strike BSNL Casual and Contract Workers’ Federation issued strike notice to the BSNL management and DoT for strike on 21 and 22nd April, 2015. The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has given call for two days strike during the same days. The strike call is given to “SAVE BSNL, SAVE NATION” andto revive the public sector BSNL.  The employees while deploring the attitude of management/government are demandingto take necessary steps for procuring sufficient equipment to improve the service and paving way for expansion and development of this public sector. Apart from the above demand the employees are also demanding the regularization of left out casual labour and contract workers and implementation of social security measures like EPF, ESI, and Gratuityetc. to these workers. AIIEA while extending its solidarity to the two days strike of BSNL employees on 21st and 22nd April, 2015 urges the BSNL management to respond positively to the demands of the employees. We call upon all our units to extend support to theBSNL employees’ strike rally across the country in coordination with BSNL Unions/Associations. With greetings, Comradely yours, General Secretary.

21-22 April 2015 Strike – Forum’s Meeting with CMD BSNL on 17th April 2015

18 Saturday Apr 2015

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

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FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS

21-22 April 2015 Strike – Meeting with CMD BSNL on 17th April 2015

Consequent to the notice issued for Two Days Strike on 21-22 April, the CMD BSNL held a meeting with the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations at 04.00 PM on 17th April 2015 on the demands raised in the strike notice. Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL, Smt. Sujata Ray (ED Finance), Shri Shameem Akthar, Sr GM(SR), Ms. Madhu Arora, GM( Estt.), Shri  A.Sinha, GM(Admn) and Shri S.S.Agarwal, GM(Pers) attended from the Management.

The Forum was represented by Coms. C.Singh(NFTE), Chairman Forum, V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA),Rashid Khan(TEPU), H.P.Singh (BSNLOA), Swapan Chakraborty (BSNLEU), K.Sebastin (SNEA), Rakesh Sethi (AIBSNLOA), Rana Pratap (BEA), Neeraj Kumar(FNTOBEA), R.Gunasekaran(BSNLDEU), Sunil Gautam(SNATTA), R.G.Pandey(BTEU), Satya Dev Sharma(ATM), Mohinder Singh (FNTO), Hari Singh(BTU), Prabodh Kumari (SEWA BSNL) and (NFTBE).

All the demands raised in the strike notice were discussed in detail. The discussion continued for about three hours. More than half of the issues were items on which decision is to be taken by the Government/DOT. On those issues, the Management was asked to take up the same with the DOT and fix a meeting of the Forum with DOT. The following is a brief gist of the discussion:

  1. Immediate procurement of adequate equipments: The management stated that some equipments have been purchased and tenders have been called for others. The Forum leaders stated that there is still acute shortage adversely affecting the service.
  2. Compensation for loss-making rural connections: Matter pertains to DOT/Government.
  3. Financial Assistance to BSNL from Government: The Forum demanded that the Management should take up with the DOT for getting the Refund of spectrum charges of Rs. 6,700 as also Rs.1,250 crore in lieu of ADC for the year 2012-13 at the earliest. Management stated that this will be done. It was also stated that the government has allowed BSNL to take loan of Rs. 7,000 from the Banks.
  4. No Merger of BSNL and MTNL : Pertains to Government/DOT
  5. Stop formation of Tower Company: Matter pertains to Government/DOT
  6. Reject TRAI recommendation to surrender 1.2 MHrz Spectrum: BSNL has taken up the matter with Government.
  7. Prompt filling up Directors Finance, HR and CM: Issue pertains to Govt./DOT
  8. Transfer of all assets including land to BSNL: Pertains to Govt. / DOT
  9. BSNL service to be made mandatory to Central/State government, PSU:  Pertains to Govt./DOT
  10. Immediate refund of BWA spectrum charges to BSNL: Matter pertains to Govt./DOT
  11. Spectrum liberalization by BSNL without any payment to Government: Issue taken up with the government.
  12. Reject anti-BSNL recommendations of M/s Deloitee Committee: The recommendations are being examined.
  13. Allot spectrum free of cost to BSNL: Pertains to Govt./DOT
  14. BSNL should start 4 G Services : Pertains to Govt./DOT
  15. No mandatory purchase of equipment from ITI: The Forum leaders pointed out that if ITI is able to provide equipment in time, they have no objection. Management stated that this pertains to Govt./DOT.
  16. Grant of 78.2% IDA merger fixation to pre-2007 and post 2007 Pensioners: The Forum expressed its serious unhappiness in the undue delay. The issue pertains to Govt. /DOT
  17. Pension Revision of BSNL Retirees: The case taken up with the DOT, who has to take action.
  18. Pension contribution on actual basic pay instead of on the maximum of the pay scale: The matter taken with the Government.
  19. Implement cabinet decision on 30% superannuation benefits to BSNL direct recruited employees: BSNL Board has decided for a Defined Contribution Superannuation Pension Scheme for all direct recruited employees and the same will be submitted to DOT for approval. The Forum insisted that this is not sufficient and the 30% superannuation benefit should be ensured for the BSNL recruited employees, as provided by DPE guidelines.
  20. Fresh Recruitment of staff: Need based recruitment will be continued in future.

On the issues connected with DOT/Government, the Forum demanded that these issues should be taken up by the Management with DOT. Management stated that efforts are being made for arranging a meeting of the Forum with DOT.

The meeting ended at about 06.30 hours. As indicated above, most of the items pertain to Government/DOT.  No development on the other issues also, except that the Forum leaders effectively presented the demands.

The Forum will meet at 11.00 AM on 20-04-2015 for last minute consultations. In the meantime, the Circle/SSA/Branch Secretaries are requested to fully mobilise the workers for the two days strike on 21-22 April 2015. New developments, if any, will be intimated.

V.A.N.Namboodiri

Convener, Forum.

 

Meeting with Administrator, USO Fund

16 Thursday Apr 2015

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Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations met Smt. Aruna Sundararajan, Administrator,USOF, and discussed about the release of the Rs. 1,250 crores which is allotted to BSNL in lieu of ADC for the year 2012-13. Administrator USOF stated that the matter will be favourably considered.

This was recommended by the TRAI two years back. This amount is very much necessary for the financial viability of BSNL. Forum has been pressing for the release of the amount for the last two years. Unnecessary delay has already occurred. It is hoped that USOF will take immediate action.

Conciliation Meeting on Revival of BSNL by CLS on 09-04-2015

09 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, Forum

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The conciliation meeting called by the Chief Labour Commissioner on the strike notices issued by the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations and BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation for 21-22 April, will be held today at 03.00 PM today. 09-04-2015. The General Secretaries of the unions/associations with Forum as also leaders of BSNLCCWF will attend the meeting.

Meeting of Forum held on 07-04-2015

07 Tuesday Apr 2015

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A meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations of Non-Executives and Executives was held on 07-04-2015 presided by Com.R.N.Pandey, General Secretary, BTEU BSNL. Comrades H.P.Singh (BSNLOA), A.Raj Mouli, Shiv Kumar (NFTE), S.S.Tomar, Virendra Singh (BSNLMS), Swapan Chakraborty (BSNLEU), Revti Prasad (BSNL ATM), Sunil Gautam(SNATTA), Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA) and V.K.Sharma(AIBSNLOA) attended.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum, presented the report on the developments after the last meeting and the agenda to be discussed. The Circular on Strike has been prepared and will be circulated after obtaining the signature of the General Secretaries.  Holding of a Press conference may be considered for wide publicity before the Strike. The Chief Labour Commissioner has fixed conciliation meeting on 09-04-2015 both for the Forum and the BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation, who also has called for strike on the same days. The discussion with the DOT on 78.2% IDA fixation for BSNL pensioners was also reported.

The following decisions were taken after detailed discussion:

  1. The preparations for the two days strike on 21-22 April 2015 should continue effectively to make it a complete success. The Circle Conventions, wherever it has not been held so far, should be completed. SSA level conventions also to be held.
  2. The Memorandum signed by the people on Revival of BSNL so far received by the Forum to be  sent to the Prime Minister early.
  3. A letter to be written to the VII CPC on the Pension Revision of BSNL Retirees in addition to the submission /memorandum already presented  by the Pensioners Association.
  4. The affiliated unions/associations of the Forum should participate in the CLC Conciliation meeting on 09-04-2015 at 03.00 PM at CLC Office.
  5. The next meeting will be held at 03.00 PM on 20th April 2015.

 

SAVE BSNL, SAVE NATION (3) – No Merger of BSNL and MTNL

27 Friday Mar 2015

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

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The Government is proposing to merge BSNL and MTNL. It had already formed a committee for the purpose of examining the issues connected with the merger. Months back, the government has stated that the merger will take place by June 2015, and before that a meeting with the unions will be held. It means that the government on their own will take the decision; after that a meeting will be held with the union to convey their decision. The workers and their unions do not agree to this.

The MTNL was formed in the 1980s bifurcating from the DOT. Nobody wanted the bifurcation. BSNL was formed in 2000 against the strong opposition of the workers. These two companies were formed to reduce the strength of government sector and to gradually privatise both. The method was to reduce the staff strength through VRS and also by disinvestment of shares, thus reducing the govt. share and hand over to private company as it has done in the case of Maruti Udyog Limited which became Suzuki and VSNL which became Tata Communications.

It is because of this, BSNL Employees under the Joint Forum/Joint Action Committee/Forum strongly opposed both VRS and Disinvestment and organised sustained struggles, including strike, which compelled the government not to impose both. Of course, still the recommendations are there to retrench 70,000 workers through VRS.

By merger of BSNL and MTNL, government is trying to kill both with one stroke, as they tried with Air India – Indian Airlines Merger.

In this connection, our demand is that before any discussion on merger of BSNL and  MTNL, three conditions should be fulfilled. (1). The 46.5% shares disinvested by MTNL should be bought back (2) There are liabilities to the MTNL to the extent of Rs. 20,000 crore; this should be waived / paid by the government and (3) the HR issues including different pay scales should be settled.

These are only but very reasonable and also unavoidable conditions. Otherwise keep the merger proposal in abeyance. BSNL employees can not agree to any merger without fulfilling these conditions.

 

Forum Meeting will be held on 25th March 2015

23 Monday Mar 2015

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A meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations of Non-Executives and Executives will be held at BSNLMS office, New Delhi at 04.00 PM on 25th March 2015 to discuss about the strike and connected programme.

Meeting of Forum on 23-02-2015

23 Monday Feb 2015

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Meeting of Forum on 23rd February 2015

A meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations was held on 23rd February 2015 at BSNLMS office New Delhi. Com.C.Singh, Chairman, Forum presided. Comrades P.Abhimanyu, Swapan Chakraborty (BSNLEU), Suresh Kumar, Tomar (BSNLMS), K.K.Singh (NFTE), N.D.Ram(SEWA BSNL), R.K.Ram(BTU BSNL), K.Sebastin(SNEA), K.Jayaprakash, Mohinder Singh(FNTO) and  Sunil Gautam(SNATTA) attended.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum, welcomed all and reported about the preparations already made for the Parliament March on 25th February 2015. Circle Conventions have been successfully conducted in about 15 circles with good participation. Memorandum to Prime Minister with lakhs of signatures has been received from some circles, and more bundles will be received on the day of Parliament March. TU leaders and M.P.s of various political parties have been invited to address. Other arrangements are also made. The details of the same have to be finalised in this meeting. We have to make the programme a big success.

All the members participated in the discussion. The following decisions were taken in the meeting:

  1. The question of admitting of new unions/associations to the Forum was discussed. It was decided that whichever union applies for admission to the Forum will be admitted. The admission of Casual & Contract Workers Federation is postponed for the next meeting.
  2. The arrangements for the Parliament March was finalised after detailed discussion. The March will start from 11.00 AM from Corporate Office. Complete discipline should be maintained in the procession as well as in the rally. In addition to the invited guests like MPs and TU leaders, the General Secretaries will address in the stipulated time. The received copies of Memorandum will be submitted to the Prime Minister. However, the Signature Campaign will continue till 31st March 2015. Serious preparation for the strike should continue.
  3. It was decided to hold a joint Circle Working Committee meeting of all the unions of Gujarat at Ahmedabad for preparation of strike. The date will be fixed later.
  4. The next meeting of the Forum will be held at 11.00 AM on 27th February 2015.

 

V.A.N.Namboodiri

Convener, Forum.