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Tag Archives: Sustained struggles

Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -16 Indefinite Strike from 26th February 2008 deferred after discussion with DOT

27 Wednesday May 2020

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Indefinite Strike from 26th February 2008 deferred after discussion with DOT

Consequent to the serving of notice for indefinite strike wef 26th February, a meeting was called by DOT Secretary Shri Sidharth Behura on 19-02-2008, in which CMD BSNL Shri Kuldeep Goyal was also present. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener JF and other leaders explained the demands of the strike and asked to settle the same.

The outcome of the discussion, as given in writing,  is narrated below:

  1. Disinvestment of BSNL: There is no immediate proposal for IPO/Disinvestment. Minister has also issued a press release on this.
  2. VRS Proposal: If the BSNL employees do not want VRS, no such scheme will be introduced.
  3. Withdrawal of DOT’s arbitrary orders on pension ( 60% – 40% ): The matter will be taken with the Cabinet.
  4. Uninterrupted supply of 2G, 3G Spectrum: This will be given preference. BSNL will be allotted 3G Spectrum.
  5. Ensure BSNL’s Financial viability: DOT Secretary stated that cabinet Note is under circulation and assured discussion with Minister and appropriate action will be taken for the same.
  6. Navaratna Status to BSNL: DPE shall forward the case for grant of Navaratna status to BSNL for consideration by apex body.
  7. Immediate absorption of Group A Officers: Matter is under active consideration of DOT. Draft Cabinet Note is under preparation and the final note will be prepared with 15-20 days.

To a question in the Parliament, the Minister of State for Communications and IT Shri Shakeel Ahmed stated that the government is not considering disinvestment of BSNL.

Strike postponed.

After the discussion with the Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL who assured immediate action on all the above matters, the joint Forum met and decided to defer the strike. ( ( To be continued )

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Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -15 All India Protest day on 21st January 2008

24 Sunday May 2020

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All India Protest day on 21st January 2008

As per the call of the joint Forum, BSNL workers organized All India Protest Day on 21-01-2008 by wearing black badges and demonstrating in front of telephone exchanges and offices. Thousands of workers participated in these demonstrations giving a stern warning to the BSNL management of strike, if the demands raised by the JF are not settled.

Meeting with CMD on 23-01-2008

On the basis of the letter dated 23-01-2008 from the JF, the CMD BSNL Shri Kuldip Goyal called a meeting with the unions and discussed the following issues:
Immediate purchase of equipments, restoration of ADC to BSNL which was discontinued from 2008-09, early payment from USO Fund to BSNL, modernization and increasing of productivity of Telecom Factories, regular functioning of the Works Committees at SSAs, providing broadband connections without delay, increasing of market functions, eliminating wastage, strict action against corruption etc. The CMD agreed to take up the issues seriously. But no concrete decision was given.

Joint Forum calls for Indefinite Strike from 26-02-2008 against proposed disinvestment.
As per the decision of the JF, notice for indefinite strike w.e.f. 26th February 2008 was served on the BSNL Management and Secretary DOT on the following demands:

1. Drop disinvestment / IPO proposal of the government
2. Withdraw proposal for VRS in BSNL
3. Withdraw BSNL’s arbitrary order dated 15-06-2006 on pension contribution
4. Ensure uninterrupted supply of 2G and 3G equipments, additional 2G Spectrum as well as 3G Spectrum as agreed earlier
5. Ensure BSNL’s financial viability by continuing ADC, Reimbursement of Licence Fee and funds from USOF
6. Immediate grant of Navaratna status to BSNL
7. Immediate absorption of ITS Officers in BSNL.

The Strike Notice was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), M.B.Vichare (NFTE BSNL), K.Vallinayagm (FNTO), G.L.Jogi (SNEA), K.Sathyanarayanan (AIBSNLEA), V.Subburaman (TEPU), V.Narayana (BSNLMS), S.P.Sharma (BSNLWRU), V.R.Venugopal (BTEU), A.D.Patil (AIBCTES), R.S.Yadav (ATM), Hari Singh (BTU) and Subhash Gaur (BSNLOA). Wide publicity was given to the demands and strike call through issue of pamphlets, wall posters, press statements etc. Full preparations were being made for the indefinite strike. (To be continued)

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Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -14 Dharna by BSNL workers on 11th October 2007

23 Saturday May 2020

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Dharna by BSNL workers on 11th October 2007

As per the call of the Joint Forum, massive dharnas were organized on 11th October 2007 in all SSAs protesting against undue delay in procuring GSM lines, Non-grant of Navaratna status to BSNL, absorption of ITS / Group A Officers in BSNL and pension issues.
In Delhi, the dharna was organized in front of the Corporate Office, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, participated by hundreds of workers. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener JF and GS BSNLEU, K.Vallinayagam, Thomas John (FNTO), M.B.Vichare (NFTE), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), A.A.Khan (SNEA), V.Subburaman (TEPU) and other leaders addressed. Thousands of workers participated in the dharna at Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Patna and other centres.

Protest against 20% IPO / Disinvestment in BSNL

Reacting to the proposal of 20% IPO/Disinvestment in BSNL by the government, Joint Forum immediately issued a Press Statement on 25-11-2007, opposing the same and cautioning the government that the workers will go on agitation, if any such move is acted upon.

Joint Forum meets Secretary DOT on 26th November 2007

Leaders of the Joint Forum met Shri D.S.Mathur, Secretary DOT on 26th November 2007 and discussed important issues like ITS absorption, Allotment of additional 2G Spectrum as well as 3G Spectrum, Grant of Navaratna status to BSNL, Opposition to 20% IPO /Disinvestment in BSNL and Bonus for DOT employees. Convener, JF and representatives of BSNLEU, SNEA, FNTO, AIBSNLEA, NFTE, BSNLMS, and TEPU participated.
Since the government was moving forward with the disinvestment / IPO proposal, the Joint Forum urgently met on 15th January 2008 and decided to organize agitational programmes against the same. It was decided to observe an All India Protest day on 21st January 2008 by wearing black badges and conducting demonstrations at Circle/District/Branch levels. (To be continued)

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Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -12 Move to impose VRS defeated

18 Monday May 2020

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Move to impose VRS defeated

Shri A,K,Sinha, then outgoing CMD BSNL,  told the media on 31-07-2007 that BSNL management was proposing to bring in Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) to send out 20,000 employees. This was strongly opposed by the Joint Forum and a strong protest letter was sent to the CMD against the proposal. This was the second time that the management was mooting the idea. It was first brought in 2003, which was agreed to by the then recognized union NFTE, but which was dropped later by the strong opposition of the new recognized union BSNLEU in 2005.

Protest Demonstration on 9th August 2007 against VRS

BSNL employees organized massive demonstrations on 9th August against the proposed VRS demanding that the anti-worker proposal be dropped.

Meeting with the CMD on 10-08-2007

The newly appointed CMD Shri Kuldeep Goyal met the leaders of the Joint Forum on 10-08-2007. The main issue was the proposal for VRS to 20,000 workers, which the unions strongly opposed. After detailed discussion, the CMD assured that no VRS will be implemented without discussing with the unions. Thus the second wave of VRS was also defeated. ( To be continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -9 Indian Telegraph Act 1986 amended to favour private telcos.

12 Tuesday May 2020

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Indian Telegraph Act 1986 amended to favour private telecos.

As per ITA 1986, only the government is entitled to provide telegraph (later telecom) services. Private telecom companies have already appeared in the field after amendment. In order to give licences to them to get assistance from the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which was only being paid to BSNL and MTNL, the Act was again amended. It has been later proved that a major portion of USOF went to the private telcos. Telecom Unions strongly objected the amendment.

Agitational programmes on sharing of BSNL and MTNL infrastructure.

The JF of BSNL and MTNL Unions / Associations organized a Telegram campaign by sending thousands of telegrams by its units all over the country to the Prime Minister on 26-04-2007 demanding that TRAI recommendations on sharing of BSNL and MTNL infrastructure to the private companies should be dropped and not implemented. Massive protest demonstrations were organized on 04-05-2007 on the same issue at divisional levels.
Again during the period from 12th 18th June 2007, one week relay dharna was organized with good participation in all places.

Memorandum to the Communications Minister

A Memorandum was submitted by the Joint Forum to Shri A.Raja, Communications Minister, on the major issues like immediate tender for mobile lines and improving the services of BSNL and MTNL. It also demanded that the tender for 4.55 crore mobile lines which was pending due to court cases filed by the private telecom companies like Motorola and which has now been cleared by the court should be immediately acted upon and the mobile lines purchased. Advance Purchasing Order can be issued in this matter. If the government was going to cause delay in the matter, the unions/associations will be compelled to go on continued agitation.
The Memorandum was signed by V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU) and Convener of JF, M.B.Vichare(NFTE), K.Vallinayagam(FNTO), G.L.Jogi(SNEA), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), V.Narayana (BSNLMS), S.V.S.Subramanyam(BTEU BSNL), Dhiraj Chaudhary(SNATTA),Satyavir Singh(MTNL MKU), Ram Prasad(MTNL KU),R.C.Chadha(MTNL SC/ST TEWA), Inder Dev Singh(MTNL MS) and S.P.Sharma(BSNLWRU).
(To be continued)

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Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -7 Meeting with CMD BSNL on 22nd July 2006.

08 Friday May 2020

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in BSNL, BSNLEU, Forum

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Meeting with CMD BSNL on22nd July 2006.

In the backdrop of the decisions taken by the Joint Forum and the serious preparations for the agitational programmes including strike, a meeting was arranged by the CMD BSNL Shri A.K.Sinha on 22nd July 2006. BSNL senior officers were also present.
Detailed discussions took place in the meeting, the gist of which is given below:
1. No Disinvestment of BSNL – The Joint Forum strongly opposed to the proposal of IPO worth 10% of the paid up capital over and above the existing shares, which will be only moving to privatization. CMD stated that there is no requirement of additional funds now and that there need not be any apprehension about IPO.
2. No unbundling of local loop – Though a committee under the chairmanship of Secretary DOT has been formed, no decision has been taken so far in the matter. The committee will look in to all options. He also mentioned that the earlier assurance of the Minister in this matter still holds good.
3. No sharing of BSNL infrastructure – The JF strongly opposed the move to share BSNL infrastructure. The move to erect towers of private companies in BSNL premises was also pointed out. CMD stated there is no proposal at present.
The JF also demanded that there should be no reduction in revenue sharing by the private companies. The delay in grant of Navaratna status to BSNL was pointed out with the demand that it should be granted early. The immediate need for grant of autonomy for BSNL, Expansion of Mobile and Broadband services and amicable settlement of ITS absorption issue were also discussed.
Demonstrations on 27th July and sending of Telegrams to the Prime minister were successfully organized. (To be continued).

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Sustained Struggles to Save BSNL – 3 Meeting with the Prime Minister on 2nd March 2005.

21 Tuesday Apr 2020

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, BSNLEU

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Meeting with the Prime Minister on 2nd March 2005.

Either the government was not taking any decision on many of the urgent issues or it was unduly delaying matters as in the case of USO Fund, ADC, Pension from government etc. In this connection, a meeting was arranged with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the instance of Com. Basudeb Acharya, senior Member of Parliament on 2nd March 2005 in the Parliament building. Members of the Joint Forum viz. Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri (Convener and GS BSNLEU), O.P.Gupta GS NFTE, S.Basu GS AIBSNLEA, G.L.Jogi GS SNEA, K.Vallinayagam GS FNTO, V.Narayana GS BSNLMS, V.K.Tomar GS MTNLEA, S.D.Sharma GS BSNLWRU, Vrijesh Upadhyaya GS MTNLMS, V.Subburaman GS TEPU, K.M.Pillai GS MTNLSW, Umesh Thyagi GS MTNLKVS, Sathish Kumar GSMTNLWU and Devender Singh GS MTNLOA were present along with Members of Parliament Coms. Basudeb Acharya and Neelotpal Basu.
The delegation thanked the Prime Minister for the decision to pay government pension and also pension contribution by BSNL as per FR and SR. Prime Minister stated that cabinet decision is already taken in both these cases and will be implemented without delay.
On the issue of increasing the FDI from 49% to 74% in telecom sector, the Prime Minister addressed the concern of the workers on the risk to security of the Nation as well as take over by the MNCs, stating that the government has taken sufficient steps to ensure the security. He also stated that BSNL and MTNL were capable of competing with MNCs and the government will provide help to the PSUs.
The PM’s attention was drawn by the Forum to the unwarranted decision of the TRAI to reduce the ADC, which was a compensation for BSNL and MTNL for providing landline services below cost. Forum wanted to continue ADC as before. The Forum also brought to the notice of the Prime Minister that though funds were available with the USOF due amount is yet to be paid to BSNL and MTNL. While the loss to BSNL for providing rural connections in 2003-04 was Rs. 9528 crore, the refund was only Rs. 2522.77 crore through reimbursement licence fee and allotment from USO Fund. It was also pointed out that unnecessary outsourcing of work was being resorted to by management of both PSUs, draining their funds. Prime Minister assured to look in to these matters.
It is worth mentioning that despite Parliament was in session, Prime Minister was kind enough to spend about half an hour of his valuable time to hear the points raised by the representatives. The M.P.s present also put in certain valuable suggestions during the discussion.
The government started a move to merge BSNL and MTNL. The Forum expressed its strong view that the merger can be considered only after the MTNL shares sold are bought back. The protest had its effect. The move was stopped for the time being. ( to be continued)

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Sustained Struggles to save BSNL – An Introduction

19 Sunday Apr 2020

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNLEU

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Sustained Struggles to save BSNL – An Introduction

BSNL was formed as part of the neo-liberalisation policy adopted by the government of India since the 1980s. It was a well-planned move. The P and T Budget was stopped, Department of Posts and Telegraphs was divided in to Department of Posts and Department of Telecommunications, private companies were given licence to provide telecom services which was the sole monopoly of the government, and New Telecom Policy was adopted all of which were intended with the same aim – hand over the telecom services to the corporates.
BSNL was formed on 1st October 2000. It was planned to be formed on 1st April 2001, in the new financial year, but the agreement, with certain safeguards, with the recognized Federations, made it possible for the government to start it earlier. The strong protest and struggles organized by some of the affiliated unions were not able to stop corporatization. BSNL became a reality.

The formation of new unions in BSNL changed the scenario. First two three years were full of united efforts and negotiations by the unions to finalise the conversion from CDA to IDA pay scale, absorption issue etc. etc.

In the first membership verification of the non-executive unions, NFTE won, but with small margin. The recognized union was not prepared to fight with the management on crucial issues, as can be seen from the fact that it agreed for VRS, when the management brought the agenda in the BSNL Joint Consultative Machinery. However, the tables turned in the next verification and BSNL Employees Union, with alliance, won with a thumbing majority and became the recognized union. It was in December 2004.
BSNLEU as the biggest and recognized union, without any delay, took the responsibility of co-coordinating all the unions of non-executives and associations of executives together for strengthening BSNL and defending the PSU from the government conspiracy to weaken it and privatize or close. Major issues of the workers, who numbered more than 3.5 lakhs, who were earlier central government employees, also had to be addressed.

Unity was most important to face the complicated situation with about more than 15 unions in the field with different ideologies and priorities. This was a Herculean task, but not impossible. As I was the Convener of the Joint Forum, Joint Action Committee, Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations etc. (names changed to suit certain unity requirements from time to time) from 2004 to 2015, I can state with satisfaction that all the Unions and associations and their leaders have done marvelous work in defending the interests of the PSU, that of the workers and the people as a whole in this noble task.

From the next installment, I will write about the major developments, struggles, negotiations etc. which had taken place during the period mentioned above. It will be inspiring and interesting to the old generation which participated in these struggles and also to the new generation of workers who have been recruited later and fighting the present battle for survival and revival of BSNL and its workers, especially after the Voluntary Retirement of 78, 569 workers from the PSU.

I will be posting it in my blog vannamboodiri.com, since long articles in Face-book may not be appreciated.

V.A.N.Namboodiri.

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