Tag Archives: P&T TU Movement

Visit the Past (18) – No Lift for subordinates in Calcutta CTO

15 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by in P&T TU Movement, Uncategorized, VISIT THE PAST

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In the Calcutta CTO heritage building with five floors, you can see lifts on both sides of the building inside. One is a usual lift as in other buildings. On the other side, the lift is of the old type, with iron bars etc. The latter was erected long back during the old British days. Though lift was provided, only the officers were allowed to use the same. The subordinate staff like telegraphists and clerks were not allowed the same. They had to climb the long steps to go upstairs.

The Indian Telegraph Association (ITA) and the All India Telegraphist Union (AITU) both took up the issue with the Chief Superintendent f Telegraphs, but no favourable decision was taken. At last after years of pressure only, the sub-ordinate staff were allowed to use the same.

Another interesting matter. There were separate Coffee House for the Anglo-Indians and the Indians. However, the Telegraphists used to take coffee in the Instrument Room (IR) to save time and to put more messages to clear the heavy traffic.

From the Past (25)- Different payscales for British, Anglo Indians and Indians!

16 Saturday Jul 2016

Posted by in History, P&T TU History

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Now the employees in government, PSUs etc.are having equal pay scales  / wages  for all employees who are working in the same cadre. But this was not the case in the early part of the last century. Under the British Rule, the telegraphist or Postal Clerk or officer who is British used to get higher pay scale. When British were not available, Anglo-Indians were mostly recruited as Telegraphist. Father of Telecom TU Movement, Henry Barton or Harry Barton as he was usually called, was one of them. Th pay scale of Anglo Indian Telegrphist was higher than that of Indian Telegraphist.

Telegraph was considered most important and they were compelled to work for 12 hours in the night shift starting from 08.00 PM to 08.00 AM next morning. It was almost impossible to get leave. A telegraphist was not expected to be absent even during seriously ill. There were many instances recorded when officials were brought on stretchers to the Head of the office to prove illness and get leave.

Learn from the past to fight for the present!

 

 

Homage to Com.K.G. Bose on his 41st Death Anniversary

09 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Telecom

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KG Bose

11th December 2015 is the 41st Death Anniversary of the Revolutionary P and T Leader Com. K.G.Bose and is being observed all over India. Meetings will be held and the great contributions by him remembered.

Com.K.G.Bose is the leader who gave the P&T Unions the correct line to be adopted. He fought against  reformism in the union and gave the appropriate guide lines. He was dismissed from service in connection with the leadership role in the 1949 strike and was not taken back. However, he continued in the P&T and Central Govt. employees movement till the last.

He was elected as the Circle Secretary of three unions of NFPTE in W.Bengal in 1954. He was elected as the President of NFPTE in 1970. He also functioned as the president of Postal Class III Union. He was elected as an MLA in W.Bengal. He functioned as a member of the Pay Commission for the state employees of W.Bengal.

His life was full of sacrifices and struggles. Even when he was ill and was in the London Hospital for treatment, his mind was with the workers in India. He died on 11th December 1974 at the comparatively young age of 54.

I have many cherished memories of Com.KG Da, who was always there to advice and guide us. KG Bose Mandiram, Calicut  is one of the first union office in honour of him. The BSNLEU building in Delhi is also named after KG Bose.

On his 41st death anniversary, we pay our respects to the great revolutionary who led the great P&T TU movement in its crucial period.

Red Salute to Com. K.G.Bose!