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 )

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)

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)

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 9^th August 2007 against VRS

BSNL employees organized massive demonstrations on 9^th 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)

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)