The Annual Report of was presented by General secretary Com. O.P.Gupta. As usual, the report was lengthy, more than one hundred pages with many unnecessary comments about other leaders and also about comrades who don’t agree with him. It took about two hours to read the same, which was done by Assistant General Secretaries and other All India office bearers.
The discussion on the report was explosive. The delegates who spoke severely criticised the agreement reached by the union with the management of restructuring of cadres by agreeing to the dictates of the DOT by surrendering more than one and half lakh vacancies, conceding that higher qualification is required for promotion instead of seniority as hitherto. These are well known tactics for the privatisation of the telecom services, they accused.
The delegates also accused the CHQ leadership of removing those workers and leaders who opposed the top leadership and their wrong policies. Comrades Moni Bose (W.Bengal), J.Renganathan (Chennai) and V.A.N.Namboodiri, (Kerala) who had resigned their all India posts of Vice- Presidents and Asst. General Secretary respectively, explained the reasons for their resignations, which itself was an indictment of the CHQ. Comrades M.N.Reddy (Andhra), Ananta Battacharjee (Calcutta), R.S.Yadav (U.P.), Shivdas Banerjee (W.Bengal) and other leaders also exposed the wrong policies of Com. O.P.Gupta, General Secretary and expressed their viewpoints effectively. As usual, this writer, with well prepared notes with facts and figures exposed the pro-government decisions and actions of the GS which was against the interests of the workers. The dictatorial attitude of the GS was tooth and nail opposed. Though the President, Com. Homi Daji, tried to cut short the speeches, the delegates were able to present their points in an effective manner.
The open session was held on the third day which was addressed by Minister of State for Communications, Shri Venkaiah Naidu. The demands of the workers were presented before him by the leaders.
While the conference was going on, our comrades utilised the opportunity to meet the delegates of all the circles and tried to convince the correctness of our stand on demands and requested them to oppose the anti-worker agreements. We sat for hours together in these discussions and many comrades were fully convinced.
In the same way our senior comrades sat together in the morning, noon and evening to review the discussions, its effect on the delegates etc. In one of the meeting, this writer suggested that not only we oppose the wrong actions of the CHQ, but should contest the elections, which was readily accepted by our comrades and work started for the same. Though our comrades were in the leadership in seven circles only, as OPG used to ridicule us, we could find out there were many comrades in other circles who agreed with us. Some comrades pointed out that left unity will suffer in case of contest, but this isolated suggestion was dismissed. The general opinion was that either we will win or at least get substantial votes.
The next issue was that who will contest the posts. Com. Moni Bose suggested that Com. VAN should contest as General Secretary on the point that I have been functioning as Asst. General secretary at CHQ and is well aware of the problems of the workers. I proposed Com. Moni Bose, as he was the senior most leader who should contest against veteran leader Com. O.P.Gupta. My suggestion was accepted and it was decided that Com. Moni will contest for General Secretary and myself for the post of President. Leaders for the other posts were also finalised. All these discussions and decisions were strictly kept secret, as we were fully aware that, if the news is out, Com. Gupta will ensure that the either the election is not held or the election is manipulated.
The surprise
Com.O.P.Gupta and his supporters were under the impression that after the heated discussion and protests, all will become calm and the election will be unanimously conducted as is the tradition for many years. Nobody was prepared to invite the wrath of the powerful leadership. So, when the President Com. Homi Daji, invited nomination for the post of All India office-bearers, the first panel received was one with Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri as President and Com.Moni Bose as General Secretary. Com. OPG also submitted his panel. When both the lists were read out, there was complete silence in the hall. Com. Homi Daji, though was included as President in Gupta’s panel, withdrew from the contest and name of Com.K.L.Sharma(Rajasthan) was put in his place. OPG approached for a unified list, but as we, knowing his clever tactics, did not agree and the contest became unavoidable. (To be continued)

The Magnificent Five days Strike of telecom workers from 19-051995.

The 4.5 lakh of telecom workers throughout the country by their magnificent response to the strike call given by the Federations, demonstrated their strong opposition the ill-motivated privatization of this vital telecom sector and their firm determination to defeat the same.

The National Telecom Policy (NTP- 1994) announced by the Government in the Parliament on 13^th May 1994 envisaged that companies registered in India will be allowed to operate basic telecom services. Till now, only government was operating thee services being its monopoly. The condition that these companies should have experience of operating 5 lakh telephones made it compulsory for them to have collaboration with the MNCs, since no company in India had the experience, since telecom was the monopoly of the Department of Telecom.

The DOT violated all norms by giving Letter of Intent to a MNC, US WEST, to start pilot projects in four districts of T.Nadu, even before the tenders were opened.  By another order, the CGMs of Telecom Circles were asked to allot spaces in  offices/exchanges for private companies on request. The assurance given to the staff by former Communications Minister, Rajesh Pilot, that they will be consulted before any decision taken on privatization was violated.

The withdrawal of the strike to start from 17^th April 1994 against privatization, by the three Federations was a set-back  in the fight against privatization and it helped the management to move ahead. However, the formation of the Door Sanchar Sangharsh Samiti at the initiative of the E.III Union with other like-minded unions, the All India Convention against telecom privatisation held in New Delhi on 20^th April 1995  and the State level conventions and other campaign programmes organized by the DSS were able to educate the workers about the looming danger and  mobilize them for struggle. It compelled the 3 Federations to come to the struggle programme and decided for the Indefinite Sit-in-Strike from 19^th May 1995.

The government as part of threatening the employees directed the State Governments to invoke the drastic Essential Service Maintenance Act (ESMA) to tackle and punish the striking works. But it did not have much result. The Central Government declared the strike as illegal on 17-05-1995. It also asked the state government to declare telecom services as Essential Services. The many state governments implemented the above directions. But the Left governments of Tripura and W.Bengal refused to implement the central directions and instead asked the centre to withdraw the NTP- 1994.

The strike was total from J&K to Kerala and from North East States to Gujarat. According to government it was 70%, but the fact is that it was almost 100%. The strike took place both in MTNL also effectively. The services were badly hit in all the places.

In Himachal Pradesh, army was called to maintain telecom services as per directions of the Communications Minister Sukh Ram. In Assam, the Punjab Police who were posted to tackle terrorist forces were diverted to deal with the telecom strike. 144 was declared in many places. Employees were not allowed to enter offices and they were kept out. Army was called in many places in North East states like Nagaland, Manipur. 144 was declared in Chandigarh. In the telecom factories strike was complete with industrial workers are also fully participating in the strike.

In short, the strike was unprecedented and complete all over the country.

Support and Solidarity

In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front fully supported the strike and organized demonstrations and rallies. All the organizations of the state/central government employees extended support. In Calcutta trade unions and service associations held massive demonstrations.

Central Trade unions, CITU and AITUC issued press statements extending support. CITU, AITUC, INTUC, BMS and HMS jointly addressed a letter to Prime Minister  seeking an interview to discuss the matter.

10 prominent Members of parliament belonging to different parties viz. Indrajit Gupta, E.Balanandan, G.G.Swell, Susanta Chakraborty, Ramdeo Bhandary, Neelotpal Basu, Amal data, Asin Bala, Shivaji Patnaik, Laljan Pahra, Dipanker Mukherjee and Anil Basu addressed a letter to the Prime Minister supporting the strike and demanding a review of the national Telecom Policy- 1994.

Com. Desararth Deb, Chief Minister of Tripura and CPI(M) leader demanded Communications Minister Sukh Ram to reconsider the New Telecom Policy and also stated that the Tripura Government will not use ESMA against the telecom strike.

The National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE) gave strong support and called upon its members to strike work for 2 hours on 26^th June in solidarity with the striking telecom workers.

The All India State Government Employees Federation, ITI Employees Union, ITI Officers Association and many other organizations throughout the country supported the strike against privatization and organized solidarity actions like demonstrations, jathas etc.

The workers morale was very high and they showed enthusiasm and energy to fight =against the menace of privatization(To be continued)

One Day Sit-in/Tools Down/Pen Down Strike on 23^rd January 1995

The Telecom workers through their massive participation in one day strike on 23^rd January 1995, have shown that they are completely against the NTP – 1994 and handing over this vital sector to foreign and Indian companies. The telecom will be fragmented and handed ove on silver platter to these MNCs and Indian corporates. This has to be opposed and defeated.

E.III Union took initiative and made efforts for organizing further struggles. But the Federations were lukewarm.  E.III, T.III and Administrative unions started massive propaganda amongst the workers and the people. Massively attended dharnas were organized in all centres on 13^th and 14^th March 1995 successfully.

Joint Letter to Minister against Privatisation

A joint letter by the unions was submitted to the Communications Minister Sukh Ram on 28-03-1995 demanding that the proposal of the government to privatise  telecom sector should be stopped.

Oral Evidence before V CPC

The Staff Side of the National Council (19 leaders) gave evidence before the V CPC on 20^th and 21^st February 1995. The Confederation of CG Employees and Workers was represented by Coms.S.K.Vyas, SG Confederation, O.P.Gupta, SG NFTE, R.L.Bhattacharya, Dy SG NFPE, G.L.Dhar GS, Central Sectt. And K.K.N.Kutty, GS, Income Tax.  The demands of the employees were placed effectively before the CPC.

Massive Dharna / Human Chain against Privatisation

As per the call of  E.III, T.III and Administrative Unions massive dharna / Human Chain was organized  on 14-03-1995 at district levels against privatization of telecom, which was actively participated by thousands of workers. The reports from districts indicated that workers are angry at the privatization move of the government. (To be continued)

Further attacks on E.III (N)

Consequent upon our application for verification in the name of All India Telecom Employees Union Class-III(Namboodiri) was accepted by DOT,  O.P.Gupta made efforts to take control of Dada Ghosh Bhawan, where the union is functioning. OPG, who has no authority in the building, wanted us, the real owners, to vacate.

The situation became grave after more threats, abuses and warnings over phone. General Secretary, V.A.N.Namboodiri, was compelled to approach Tiz Hazari Court. On the basis of the report of the Commissioner, Tiz Hazari Court ordered status quo which continues even at present. CHQ continued to function at Dada Ghosh Bhawan.

Hijacking of Union Journals

Using political pressure and with support of DOT, both our journals which we were publishing after Bhopal All India Conference, “Telecom” and “Correspondence”, as also CHQ Telephone No. 011- 5701877 were hijacked by the disruptors. We had anticipated this situation and had applied for new journal and telephone.

Accordingly E.III(N) started publishing two journals, “Tele-Crusader” and “Telemessage”. Three telephones – 011-5705385, 5894862 and 5894100 were also got provided. E.III(N) office employees, Coms. Atmaram and Raghubir Singh also deserted and joined OPG camp. In fact, they were waiting for such an opportunity.

All round attack was made on the E-III (N) union by al the dark forces. They thought that just like in 1971, when they could create havoc and succeed in destabilizing the duly and democratically elected office-bearers of NFPTE headed by K.G.Bose and A.S.Rajan as President and Secretary General, they could succeed this time also with the support of the administration and the government. But they were mistaken. The workers have learnt lessons from hard experiences. They were fully prepared to fight and defeat the disruptors. E-III (N) Union withstood all the attacks and continued to work with more determination and vigour. –

National Telecom Policy 1994

The announcement of National Telecom Policy 1994 (NTP 1994)  by the Government on 13-05-1994, on the last day of the Parliament session and just before the Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s visit to US sent shock waves throughout the country. The telecom workers were taken aback.  It was clear that the NTP was brought to pave for privatization.

The main declared aims and objectives of NTP – ensuring availability of telephones on demand, universal service covering all villages, quality of service to be world standard, emergence of India as a major manufacturing base etc- are laudable but the method and strategy of liberalization and privatization are nothing short of handing over this lucrative sector to MNCs and Indian corporates.

In the meeting called by Communications Minister Sukh Ram, the representatives of the Federations and Unions strongly opposed  privatization.In fact, the Minister was unable to answer the pertinent questions raised by the union representative.

The meeting of the federations immediately held after the meeting expressed strong protest against the privatization move and decided to organize one hour strike on each shift  on 23^rd May 1994. The future of the 4.75 lakhs of telecom workers as well as the security of the nation can not be at the mercy of the capitalists and the MNCs.

One Hour Strike on 23-05-1994

The One Hour Strike on 23 May 1994 was a big success with full participation of the workers. The success surpassed all expectations.

Central Working Committee at Delhi – June 1994

E.III Union held its CWC Meeting at Deputy Speakers Hall, Constitution Club, V.P.House, New Delhi on 18-19 July 1994, to discuss the grave situation arising out of the NTP- 1994. Com.Moni Bose, President, presided. Com. K.Adinarayana, Secretary General, NFPE, inaugurated the CWC.

A Seminar on “Impact of NTP-1994” was held. Prabir Purkayastha(Delhi Science Forum), S.M.Agarwal (former  DG P&T) and union leaders participated. The necessity of opposing the anti-people NTP-1994 was stressed by the speakers.

The CWC decided to observe “Scrap NTP Day”on 12-07-1994 by organizing demonstration, rallies etc. A Committee with Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, GS as Convener with Coms. Moni Bose, D.Dutta Gupta, B.K.Goswami, J.Renganathan and P.V.Chandrasekharan as members was formed to prepare Memorandum to the V Central Pay Commission which was appointed on 9^th April 1994 with Justice S.R.Pandian as the Chairman.

The CWC congratulated the Reception Committee headed by Com. Chhidu Singh, CS, T.III, K.M.Pillai, CS E.III for making excellent arrangements for the CWC meeting at short notice.

Agitational Programmes

After discussion with other Federations/Unions, the following agitational programmes were organized with massive participation:

• Joint Demonstration on 05-07-1994
• Memorandum to Prime minister and Governors on 19-07-1994
• Massive Dharnas at circle Head Offices on 26-07-1994

Thus the workers reacted sharply against the government’s move to privatise telecom.

One Day Strike proposed on 17-09-994

It was decided by all the federations and unions to observe one day strike on 17^th September 1994 against the government offensive to sell telecom to private. All preparations were made for the successful strike. (To be continued)

Reverification of Membership in E.III
The DOT on 31st October 1996 ordered reverification of membership of telecom Group ‘C’ employees along with the already ordered verification for other categories. In desperation, OPG and Co. criticized the decisions of the Delhi High Court, Law Ministry, DOP&T and DOT in ordering the verification. He even insinuated Com. Harkishan Singh Surjeet, General Secretary, CPI(M), alleging that this is issued on an understanding between him and Prime Minister to favour Com. Namboodiri. Madness has no limits! In fact, OPG & Co. were afraid of the workers. OPG and NUTE filed cases in Delhi High Court, but could not get any stay.
Delhi CWC
An Emergent E-III CWC was held at New Delhi on 30th October 1996 to finanlise strategy in the verification, presided by President, Com.Moni Bose. To facilitate the union to apply for recognition in confirmation with CCS (RSA) Rules 1993 (New Recognition Rules) that one of the Chief Executive should be a serving employee, Com. Moni Bose, President of E.III Union, elected at Thiruvananthapuram, desired to step down. The house accepted the same with great regrets, as there was no other course. The CWC highly appreciated the spirit behind the offer. Com.K.D.M.Tripathi, Vice-President, was unanimously elected as the President.
The CWC meeting was addressed by .P.S.Ramankutty, GS T-III and Pabitra Chakraborty, GS Administrative Union. The meeting discussed and decided the strategies to face the reverification.
Denial of Union’s Name
Both V.A.N.Namboodiri, General Secretary and M.B.Vichare applied in the same name viz. All India Telecom Employees union Class III for the reverification. But in continuation of its favouritism, DOT refused to entertain the application of Namboodiri. The application was ignored for reasons not known. And surprisingly, the application of Vichare was accepted. DOT wanted the real union represented by Namboodiri to be out of the reverification process to enable OPG and Co. to get majority with out any hurdle.
Mighty Protest Actions – Telegram Campaign
Massive protest rallies were organized throughout the country as per call of the E.III CHQ, demanding cancellation of DOT’s completely prejudiced orders. Thousands of Protest Telegrams were sent to the Prime Minister, Communications Minister and Chairman, Telecom Commission.
Discussion with Minister on 1-1-1997
The country-wide protests had its effect. The union was invited to talks by the Communications Minister Beni Prasad Verma on 1-1-1997. K.D.M.Tripathi, President, V.A.N.Namboodiri, General Secretary and K.M.Pillai, Treasurer met the Minister and Chairman Telecom Commission A.V.Gokak with other senior officers on the day. The union demanded acceptance of its application for the re-verification. The arrogant DOT officers ridiculed the demand by stating that the union can approach the courts, as was done earlier. The union stated that they are requesting the intervention by the Minister.
As a solution to the complicated issue, it was agreed the union’s application will be accepted as “All India Telecom Employees Union Class III (Namboodiri)”, as per the suggestion of the Minister, thus adding the name of the chief executive in brackets for identification, as was done in the case of Indian National Congress (Indira), when a dispute arose in the Congress party. After consultation with senior comrades and CWC Members available on phone, application to that effect was submitted to DOT on 02-01-1997. This became necessary to protect the organization from being kept out of the verification.
But the DOT was not happy and delayed accepting the application. After delaying matters for long three months, again on the intervention of the Minister, the DOT accepted the application on 11-04-1997.
Limited TU Facilities
The verification was by check off system, though the union wanted by secret ballot. The Federation wanted check off system, where manipulation with the connivance of the management can take place as before. As part of the re-verification process, the time schedule was announced on 03-06-1997. Limited Trade Union Facilities were granted to all applicant unions in order to conduct the verification in an equitable and fair manner vide orders dated 12-06-1997.
Reverification Starts
The time schedule was changed more than once on request from OPG & co. and other Federations. They wanted time to file cases for staying the verification. Supply of verification forms started on 31-07-1997. The significance of the verification was not lost on anybody. The sustained struggles conducted by us had gone to the workers. The alternate policies and demands which we had raised and popularized have been appreciated by the workers. This will certainly have its positive impact on the verification.
E.III (Namboodiri) in winning position
The workers rose to the expectation. Within 5 days, the trend was very clear. In 9 circles viz. Assam, North East I & II, Calcutta Telephones, Telecom Factories, Telecom Stores, W.Bengal, A&N Islands and Kerala, we maintained an unenviable position with huge majority. We got majority in Madras telephones, A.P., Karnataka, U.P.(East), UP(West), Haryana etc. and largely improved our positions in other circles. An analysis on the basis of the reports made it clear that E.III (Namboodiri) will get No.1 position with more than 35% required for recognition. NFTE and other Federations became panicky. They wanted to scuttle the verification to avoid getting defeated.
Reverification stayed
They moved various Courts to stay the ongoing verification. They could not approach the Delhi High Court, since the same has already been denied by it. Instead, they filed petitions in Mumbai High Court, Chennai High Court, Ernakulam High Court, Tiz Hazari and Sonepat Courts.
The Sonepat Civil Court issued the first stay. Even though it was a lower Court, DOT immediately stayed the verification proceedings. E.III(Namboodiri) filed a petition and got the stay vacated. But another stay was grant by the next higher court at Sonepat itself. Ernakulam High Court stay was got vacated by us. But the Division Bench allowed another stay.
Thus, the re-verification process was stopped half-way due to continued court cases and stays. E.III(Namboodiri) Union was sure to get recognition as the first union and there was a chance that NFTE may also get recognition as second union. But NFTE wanted to deny recognition to E.III (N) and continue its present recognition status. There was no chance for the other Federations and unions to get recognition, thus losing their present recognition.
Thus the workers were not allowed to select their union through the verification process. The dark forces have won temporarily denying recognition to the number one union viz. E.III(N).
(To be continued)

Com.V.S.Menon Passed away

Com. V.S.Menon, a stalwart leader of the P and T employees and former Secretary, NFPTE, passed away on 7^th January 1994 at Ahmedabad after a severe heart-attack. He was 75. He was suspended in the 1949 strike and detained in jail for a long time. After reinstatement, he was promoted and retired as Divisional Engineer. He continued to be in contact with the union and gave all help and guidance and also worked in the Pensioners Association. Mrs. Vimala Menon, his wife, also passed away within  three hours of his death.

Resolution of the Co-Ordination Committee of Trade Unions on Telecom Sector

A meeting of the representatives of Central Trade Unions, Apex Trade Unions and Office Associations of five important sectors, Financial Sector, Public Sector Enterprise, Electric Power Sector, Oil Sector and Telecommunications, was held at New Delhi on 27^th and 28^th January 1994 and analysed the prevailing situation due to the implementation of the neo-liberal policies and the attack on the public sector and especially the ore sectors. It called upon the workers, the intellectuals, the Members of Parliament and political parties to raise their voice against the denigration of the Public Sector and to demand the government to strengthen, instead of weaken, the public sector. It called upon the employees and the masses who would bear the brunt of the adverse consequences to resist all such attempts of the government which compromise with the sovereignty of the nation in terms of its  economic independence, self-reliance and national security.

A separate detailed note on each sector was appended for the study of the workers and prepare for struggle. E.III Union actively participated in the meeting, discussion and drafting of the resolution. It was a move to educate the workers on the coming danger.

All India Conference of T.III  and Administrative Unions

In the All India Conference of T.III Union held at Pushkar, Rajasthan on 5-8 October 1993, Coms. V.A.Harsulkar and P.S.Raman Kutty were re-elected as President and General Secretary.

The All India Conference of Administrative Union Class III and IV, held at Calcutta from 5-8 October 1993 elected H.G.Ramachandra as President Pabitra Ranjan Chakraborty as General Secretary. (To be continued)

New Recognition Rules – CCS (RSA) Rules, 1993

The government issued the Central Civil Services (Recognition of Service Association) Rules, 1993 on 09-11-1993, amending the existing rules on the recognition of the associations/unions of central government employees. One of the major changes in the rules was that only a working employee can be the office-bearer of the association/union. Another was that the membership will be verified through the check-off system in pay rolls at such intervals and in such a manner as the government may decide

Important provisions of these rules are given below:

1. Separate Association for each category
2. Only an Association representing more than 35% of total strength of the category shall be recognized. Another Association if representing more than 15% of the strength will be recognized.
3. Only serving government servants will remain members / office bearers of the Association. If an office bearer of a category of Association is promoted, he will cease to be a member/office bearer of that Association.
4. All amendments to the constitution / bye-laws of the Association shall have to be approved by the government before these could be carried out.
5. Verification of membership would be through check-off system in pay rolls and not through secret ballot.

Spectre of Privatisation in telecom – N.Vittal as Secretary, Telecom

The appointment of N.Vittal, as Secretary, DOT and Chairman, Telecom commission in 1994 speeded up  the move for privatization of the telecom sector as part of the neo-liberal policy of the government. Inviting the entrepreneurs to invest in the huge profitable telecom sector, he stated that Government should consider 10 years tax holiday or 16 % return to the private sector units for their investment in the sector.

Meanwhile reports also came that at Tumkur and Bangalore in Karnataka, Tirupur and Tutucorin in T.Nadu, Ghaziabad in U.P. etc. MNCs and their partners and collaborators among Indian monopoly houses have been invited to open new services to meet the existing and expanding demands for telephone.

It was also reported that two schemes will be implemented – BLT(Build, Lease and transfer)  and BOT (Build Operate and transfer) were being finalized for the private operators.

In this background the three recognized federations met N.Vittal, Chairman, Telecom Commission on 26^th April 1993. Vittal assured the Federations that the existing 4.7 lakh telecom workers will be fully protected, their career prospects would be guarded and the entire workforce will be given training in the new technologies for which a scheme will be finalized.

E.III (N) Union strongly protested these moves for privatization  and expressed firm view that in the name of competitiveness we can not allow dual functioning.

The three recognized Federations, viz. NFTE, FNTO and BTEF, after the meeting with the Secretary DOT met and decided to go on strike in November 1993 to focus people’s attention on the policy of destabilization of the services in the name of liberalisation and  deregularisation.

The demands for the strike are:

1. No duality/multiplicity in Telecom Services
2. Complete upgrading of skills and education of workforce to change the work culture
3. Reduce working hours as recommended by the ILO to absorb surplus staff
4. End corruption at all levels.
5. Provide full information to unions and hold meaningful consultations
6. Settle all aspects of the workers’ organizations.

One Day Stay-in, Pen Down  Strike on 31-12-1993

After one postponement of date, One Day Stay-in, Pen Down  Strike was decided to be organized on 31^st December 1993. Initially, OPG & Co. were not prepared for action. As usual, he expressed reluctance to fight against corporatization and privatization. But when ITSA, JTOA, FNTO, E.III, T.III and Administrative Union decided, OPG also agreed. Accordingly the strike notice was issued.

The demands raised in the strike were as follows:

1. No need of corporatization/privatization
2. Constitute an independent Telecom Finance Corporation.
3. Joint Committee Report to be incorporated in the Cabine Note
4. Consultation with Staff Side before launching any move for a change in the structure of the DoT.
5. Upgradation of the skills of the workers.

The Chairman, Telecom Commission met the unions and discussed the issues, but there was no progress in settling the demands. Hence the strike decision was reiterated.

The strike was a complete success. Since the call was given by all the three Federations and the Unions, there was good co-ordination in the campaign and the implementation.

The Indian Telecom Service Association(ITS), the organization of the  ITS officers, observed Protest Day on the same day, 31^st December 2015 to synchronize their opposition to the move of the government for corporatization, by wearing black badges and extended full support to the strike by employees. The class II Officers’ Association, TESA, observed pay-boycott on the same day to fall in line with the united movement.

The government was prompt enough to declare the strike as illegal and threatened to punish the striking employees with orders of penal measures. The workers ignored them and fully participated.

Altogether the one day Stay-in, Pen Down Strike was a warning by all the employees to the government that any move for corporatization or privatization of telecom will be unitedly opposed.

US telecom MNC threatens H.P.Wagle, Chairman, Telecom Commission

It was reported in the press that Van E.Snowdon, Vice-President of ‘Vanguard’ one of the biggest cellular operator in USA, has threatened that, if necessary, that good offices of the International Monetary Fund(IMF) will be used through diplomatic channels to remove H.P.Wagle, ITS, Chairman, Telecom Commission from his post. The reason? He was not prepared to open the flood gates for any cellular company to open in the metros and stuck to the position that rules will be strictly implement. H.P.Wagle was the last ITS officer to hold the post of Chairman, Telecom Commission. He retired in September 1993. Afterwards no ITS officer was posted in that position. N.Vittal, the so called telecom expert was his successor. (To be continued)