Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL  (2004 – 2015)

The BSNL employees as per the call of  the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations of Non-Executives and Executives have gone on a complete Two Days Strike on 21-22 April 2015 demanding Revival of BSNL and for strengthening BSNL and for providing a better service to the customers. The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations of Non-Executives and Executives (earlier called the Joint Forum/Joint Action Committee of BSNL/MTNL Unions/Associations) has been continuously taking up the issues connected with the growth of BSNL and major issues facing BSNL workers and had organised several struggles including Strikes. It will only be appropriate at this stage to go to the background how the unions/associations in BSNL came together to fight for BSNL and defended BSNL.

Formation of BSNL on 01-10-2000

The employees in the Department of Telecom were completely against corporatisation of telecom services.  Despite sustained struggles/strikes by employees , the government ordered corporatization and formed Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on 01-10-2000, with the assurance of government pension to the BSNL absorbed employees from the consolidated fund of India, Regularization of left out casual labour / TSM, Adequate financial assistance to BSNL etc.

Formation of Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions and Associations.

Within a short time, it became clear that corporatisation of BSNL was the first step towards its privatisation. The government wanted retrenchment of workers through Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), disinvestment, unbundling of copper cables etc. in preparation to privatization. BSNL was not being allowed to procure the required equipment for providing a better service and expansion of services.

A joint effort by all the unions and associations was required to fight against these attacks on BSNL. As soon as BSNL Employees Union got recognition in 2004 after the Second Membership Verification, it took the initiative to form a co-ordination committee of all unions/associations in BSNL and MTNL. Accordingly the Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions/Associations was formed in 2004 with Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, General Secretary, BSNL Employees Union, as Convener. Thus started the process of   a joint union movement and struggles in BSNL.

Massive March to the Communications Minister and Rally against Reduction of ADC on 21^st December 2004.

The recommendation of the TRAI to reduce the Access Deficit Charge (ADC) to be collected from the private operators and paid to BSNL was  clearly to favour the private companies. The Joint Forum BSNL/MTNL strongly opposed the move and  organized a huge March to the Communications Minister’s office on 21^st December 2004. More than 2,500 workers participated. From the BSNL Corporate Office alone, about 250 workers participated. The March was blocked by the police on the Parliament Street, where a rally was held. Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi(SNEA(I), V.K.Tomar(MTNLEA), K.M.Pillai(MTNLSWU) and other leaders addressed. A Memorandum on the demands was presented to the Prime Minister, not to reduce the ADC and to transfer the TRAI Chairman, Pradeep Baijal, who was openly favouring the private operators and trying to destabilize BSNL and MTNL. The Joint Forum leaders met CMD BSNL, Shri A.K.Sinha and other Directors and urged to pressurize DOT and Government to withdraw from the move  to reduce ADC.