04 Thursday Dec 2014
Posted in Postal Service
Thousands of Postal Employees organised a massive Parliament March today, 4th December 2014, focusing the long pending demands of the workers and demanding settlement of the same as per the call of NFPE, FNPO and unions of GDS. They marched towards parliament and was stopped at Parliament Street, where the meeting was held. Com. A.K.Padmanabhan, CITU President, inaugurated the same. Central trade Union leaders, leaders of Confederation and Postal Unions addressed the rally.
04 Thursday Dec 2014
Posted in CG Employees, Postal Service, TU News - India
More than 20,000 Postal workers are expected to March to the Parliament today, 4th December 2014, to press their major demands, which are pending for long time and which the government have either rejected or is delaying in taking decisions. The March has been called by both NFPE and FNPO as also Unions of Gramin Dak Sevaks, affiliated to NFPE and FNPO, the two recognised Federations in the Department of Posts.
The demands include inclusion of Gramin Dak Sevaks under 7th Central Pay Commission and grant of status of civil servants, Casual Wage Revision, Merger of DA with Pay, Grant of Interim Relief, Scrap New Pension Scheme, Compassionate Ground Appointments, Cadre Restructuring, Filling up of Vacant Posts etc.
It is stated by the Postal Federations that decision has been taken to go for Indefinite Strike in February 2015, the dates for which will be announced in the Parliament March.
We fully support the demands of the Postal Workers and extend all solidarity. We also demand the government and Department of Posts to accept the fully justified demands raised by the Postal Federations.
02 Tuesday Dec 2014
Posted in CG Employees, Postal Service, TU News - India
The Postal Joint Council of Action, including both NFPE and FNPO along with the concerned GDS Associations have decided to organise a Parliament March on 4th December 2014, demanding settlement of long pending issues.
The government has been completely ignoring the demands of the Postal workers and also that of the Gramin Dak Sevaks (former ED Employees). Hence the Parliament March.
We fully support and express solidarity to the programme!
13 Friday Dec 2013
Posted in TU News - India
After the Massive Parliament March on 12th December 2013, participated by lakhs of workers who have come from all parts of the country as per the call of the 11 Central Trade Unions on the 10 points Charter of the Workers including arresting price rise, grant of a minimum wage of Rs.10,000 to unorganised workers, No disinvestment/privatisation of Public Sector Units etc. the leaders of the Central Trade Unions met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and conveyed their dissatisfaction in not taking any decisions on the Charter of demands already submitted to him. Prime minister assured that the issues will be decided on the basis of the Committee headed by Defence Minister A.K.Antony, appointed for this purpose.
Assurances are coming one after another. But what is required is immediate action.
12 Thursday Dec 2013
Posted in TU News - India
The mammoth March to Parliament by Workers on 12th December 2013 was indeed historical. By about 0900 AM, workers started reaching the Parliament street where the rally will meet. The main jatha started from the Ramlila Grounds and marched towards Parliament. Many other jathas were coming to the Parliament by various routes. In fact, all the roads were full of workers with flags of their respective unions.
By about 1100 hours, the main rallies reached the Parliament street where it was stopped by the police with three tier barricade and lot of police officers including women police. The rally started with the leaders sitting in the ready made pandal which can be seen even from far away. The Parliament Street and both its sidewalks were thronged by people for more than one km. The red flags the unions were mingled with the BMS and INTUC flags.
BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF workers started their March from Eastern Court premises. With the banners of the Unions, hundreds of workers marched to the Parliament. Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU, Animesh Mitra, Dy.GS BSNLEU, KG Jayaraj, GS AIBDPA, Tapas Ghosh GS BSNLCCWF and other leaders were in the front. Comrades from Delhi and all near by circles came in large numbers.
The Presidents and General Secretaries of the 11 Central Trade Unions who gave the call for the Parliament March were in the dias. One after another the leaders addressed the house and congratulated the workers for the mammoth participation. They also explained the ten demands on which the rally is being held and also on which more than 12 workers participated in the 48 hours strike on 20-21 February 2013 strike. Coms Tapan Sen (CITU), Gurudas Dasgupta (AITUC) and other leaders addressed. The meeting is continuing. (to be continued)
04 Monday Nov 2013
Posted in Uncategorized
Tags
The Gramin Dak Sewaks (former Extra-Departmental employees)in the Department of Posts numbering about two lakhs and odd have been an exploited section of workers since the introduction of ED system. The British rulers utilised the system for cheap labour. Even after Independence, there was no much change. It was after formation of the National Federation of Posts and Telegraph Employees (NFPTE) in 1954, that the issues of the ED employees were taken seriously. Under the leadership of Com.K.Adinaryana, the veteran leader of the NFPTE, struggles after struggles were waged for improving the conditions of the ED employees. Much advancement could be made, but still the government was not prepared to accept them as regular employees.
Now, the ED employees are re-named as Gramin Dak Sewaks. Last time, the VI CPC was not given the terms of reference including the GDS. The government has announced the formation of VII CPC, but no mention is about the GDS. It is in this context that the All India Postal Employees Union GDS (NFPE) has given call to organise a Parliament March on 11th December 2013 by the Gramin Dak Sewaks. The demands include, Departmentalisation of Branch Offices, Civil Servant status to GDS and Inclusion of GDS wage structure etc. in the purview of the VII CPC.
These demands are fully justified. The Government should concede the just and long pending demands of the GDS who serve the Nation and its people living in the lakhs of villages and remote areas.
My complete support and solidarity with the struggle of the GDS!
20 Thursday Dec 2012
Posted in TU News - India
Tags
Lakhs of workers coming from all parts of the country marched to Parliament through the streests of Delhi protesting against the anti-worker policies of the government and demanding the right to organise, settlement of issues of unorganised workers like minimum wage and social security measures, opposing disinvestment and privatisation of PSUs, against price-rise etc. The Parliament March was organised by the 11 Central Trade Unions including INTUC, BMS, CITU, AITUC, HMS, UTUC etc. which was also participated by the National Federations and All India Unions of Central/State government employees, Banks, Insurance, BSNL, coal, steel, teachers, womens organisations etc. The Parliament street was overcrowded by the workers who were carrying the colourful flags and banners of their unions. The March was stopped before the Parliament Police Station where a huge rally was held. A big stage was erected with the banner of the Parliament March and the names of the 11 Central Trade Unions. The rally was presided by a Presidium consisting of the Presidents of the 11 central Trade Unions including Com. A.K.Padmanabhn (CITU) and Com. Amarjit Kaur (AITUC). The General Secretaries of the Central trade Unions addressed the rally within the stipulated time of 10 minutes each. Com. Tapan Sen GS CITU, Gurudas Dasgupta, GS, AITUC and other leaders of central TUs addressed.
The Central leaders congratulated the participants and hailed the unity of the workers. The leaders called upon the workers to make the 20-21 February 2013 two days strike a big success.
A good number of workers participated from BSNLEU including from the nearby states like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan etc. Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, Animesh Mitra, Dy. General Secretary, Saibal Sen Gupta, AGS, Balbir Singh, Circle Secretary Punjab and other leaders were present.
20 Thursday Dec 2012
Posted in TU News - India
Tags
The Parliament March called by Central trade Unions against the anti-people, anti-workers policies and on major demands of the workers including the un-organised sector will be held today, 2oth December 2012. Thousands of workers from all over India have already reached Delhi to participate. It will be a great demonstration of the workers to compel the government to concede their demands.
24 Saturday Nov 2012
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
Tags
Parliament March by BSNL & MTNL Workers
In the afternoon of 22nd November 2012, thousands of BSNL & MTNL workers gathered in the lawns of Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, the corporate office of BSNL, and started marching towards Parliament. This was as per the decision taken by the Joint Forum of BSNL&MTNL Unions/Associations to focus the present grave situation in these two PSUs due to complete mismanagement by non-absorbed Indian Telecom Service (ITS) officers, who are on deputation for the last 12-14 years. The demand of the workers is that to save the BSNL & MTNL from collapse, these non-absorbed deputationist officers should be repatriated to the government, since they are not prepared to get absorbed in BSNL and work as BSNL officers. The four lakh executive and non-executive employees have given their option and got absorbed in BSNL & MTNL immediately after the formation of the two PSUs.
The double standard and Gross discrimination against BSNL/MTNL
Formation of three corporations from the then Department of Telecom viz. Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL), Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited(BSNL) was part of the neo-liberal policy of the government and intended to hand over the telecom services to the MNCs and Indian corporates for maximisation of their profits. VSNL is already privatised and is a Tata company, Tata Teleservices. More than 45% shares of MTNL are disinvested. Due to continuous struggles by the workers under the leadership of the Joint Forum, the government could not so far disinvest BSNL.
However, the government has been able to make MTNL and BSNL in to loss-making companies during the last three – four years. The cash reserve coming to Rs. 40,000 crore of BSNL and Rs. 4500 Crore of MTNL has been confiscated by the government through Licence Fee, Dividend, Taxes, notional loan with high interest, spectrum fees etc. Almost double charges have been levied on these companies for the 2G and BWA Spectrums.
There is gross discrimination against BSNL & MTNL by the government in contrast with the favours shown to the private telcos. This started from the day first itself. When mobile licences were issued for private telecom companies during 1994-96, the DOT (BSNL & MTNL not formed) was denied permission to start mobile services. It was only after 2002, that both BSNL and MTNL were granted permission, thus helping private companies to establish themselves in the mobile sector.
Despite this initial set back, both the PSUs were advancing fast in the mobile sector. BSNL reached to the second position by 2006. The 4.5 crore mobile lines tender which was floated by BSNL for expanding its services in the fast growing mobile market was thwarted by Government by compelling the BSNL management to cancel the tender. Another tender for 9.3 crore met with the same fate, resulting in making BSNL helpless to expand its services which resulted in its market share to fall down below 20%.
The government also went back from its commitment to provide ADC (Access Deficit Charge), USOF subsidy and reimbursement of Licence Fee to BSNL which was assured by the government at the time of corporatisation.
In all these discriminations against BSNL/MTNL, the Managements of both these companies were silent and did not even react. Instead of pressurising the government to honour its commitments to the two PSUs, they became willing partners in the move against the PSUs.
Not only that. Being on deputation and not absorbed in PSUs, the non-optee ITS, who are Group A Officers posted in the top management positions like CGM, GM etc., naturally lost the high motivation and commitment that are required to run big PSUs like BSNL & MTNL. The development and expansion of the services were seriously and adversely affected. The managements utterly failed to provide equipment and other accessories for expansion and for better service. The sustained efforts of the Joint Forum and the unions for improvement of services were not taken in true spirit by the managements. On the contrary, in many centres, the management completely refused even to discuss the developmental issues with the unions. Corruption became rampant. District Secretary of BSNLEU, Ghaziabad, who complained about the corruption of the GM to the higher authorities was murdered in the GM’s office itself. No action has been taken by the BSNL against the GM. In fact, he is being shamelessly shielded by top officers who also belong to the ITS.
The ITS officers were given four chances for absorption, but the majority did not opt either for BSNL or MTNL. The government issued for repatriation of these officials, but they got stay from the court and continued on deputation beyond the maximum period of five years. The Delhi High Court has now given judgement to repatriate all the non-optee ITS to government at the latest by 30th September 2012, but the managements of BSNL & MTNL have not implemented the orders; instead they have appealed to the court to allow them ten years more for gradual repatriation. This position is not acceptable to the workers.
There cannot be two types of service conditions, one for the ITS to be on permanent deputation and the other for the absorbed executives and non-executives. If permanent deputation is going to be granted to the ITS, then the same condition should be for all other employees also. Otherwise, it will be denial of equal opportunity and natural justice.
On this issue the BSNL & MTNL Unions/Associations have been going on agitation for the last few months. Demonstrations were held all over India, Telegram campaign was conducted and one week hunger strike was organised throughout the country from 29th October 2012. Communications Minister, Secretary DOT and CMDs of BSNL & MTNL were approached for necessary action, but nothing happened. It is in this context that the Parliament March was organised on 22nd November 2012 under the auspices of the Joint Forum of BSNL & MTNL Unions/Associations.
The Parliament March participated by more than two thousand workers started from the BSNL Corporate office premises. The March, shouting slogans protesting against the management’s inaction in the matter, proceeded to the Parliament through the busy roads for more than one hour. There were the red flags of the unions and banners in many colours. Many of the marchers held placards with demands printed on them. The March was stopped in front of Parliament Police Station by a large police force and by putting barricades. The rally was held there itself. A temporary stage was set up using the truck as the rostrum.
Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Joint Forum of BSNL & MTNL Unions/Associations greeted the large number of participants and explained the demands in brief as also the gross inaction of the government and the managements in sorting out the issue. He severely criticised the government policy of disinvestment and other decisions of the government which are intended to weaken the PSUs including BSNL and MTNL. Com.M.K.Bagchi, Chairman of the Joint Forum presided.
Com.Basudeb Acharia, Member of Parliament and leader of CPI(M) in Lok Sabha snd Shri Arjun Meghwal, M.P. from Rajasthan addressed the rally and assured all support to the demand. Basudeb Acharia reminded the government that the employees were completely against corporatisation and were compelled to accept absorption to BSNL. But even after 12 years the ITS continues on deputation which is in gross violation of the existing rules and decisions. He assured full support to the cause of the workers and said that he will take up these with the government.
Comrades P.Abhimanyu (BSNLEU), Islam Ahmed (NFTE), Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA), K.Sebastin (SNEA), V.K.Tomar (MTNLEA) A.K.. Kaushik, (MTNL), V. Suburamman, ( TEPU), Suresh Kumar (BSNL MS), S.P. Sharma( WRU) Ram Kishan Ram (BTU) and other leaders also addressed..
Memorandum to the Prime Minister
A Memorandum to the Prime Minister was handed over by a delegation consisting of the Chairman and the Convener, Joint Forum. It demanded that all the non-optee ITS officers be immediately repatriated to the DOT and end the discrimination against the BSNL workers. In case permanent deputation is allowed for ITS, the same should be granted to all the executive and non-executives.
The massive Parliament March has given enthusiasm to the BSNL & MTNL workers to continue their agitation till the demand is achieved which will benefit both the PSU and its workers. The joint struggle being waged also helped the movement towards making close connection and unity in struggle between the BSNL and MTNL workers.
The Joint Forum will meet and intensify the agitation if the demands are not met by the government and the management.
21 Wednesday Nov 2012
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
Tags
Thousands of BSNL & MTNL workers will March to parliament on 22nd November demanding that non-optee ITS officers on deputation in BSNL be repatriated back to DOT or all the executives and non-exectives absorbed in BSNL from DOT also be taken back to DOT so that a uniform service conditions are made available to all those working in BSNL. The present discrimination should end at any cost.
I am at a loss to understand why this discrimination continues even after 12 years? The government is fully aware of the duality and has a taken a position earlier that all these ITS officers who did not opt for BSNL be sent back. Why there is a change now and preparing a cabinet note for permanent deputation?
This seems to be a big conspiracy to weaken the PSUs BSNL & MTNL and sell it cheap. We can not allow this. Participate in the Parliament March in large numbers and express our strong protest and anger at this unpleasant situation.
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 