The CHQ of BSNLEU calls upon the circle and district unions to observe this year’s May Day by hoisting the Union flag, participating in rallies and organising seminars and special meetings. We shall pay homage to the May Day martyrs, who laid down their lives in Chicago in 1886, fighting to achieve the demand of 8 hours’ work, 8 hours' recreation and 8 hours' sleep. On one side, the capitalists class is trying to increase the working hours. It is in this background that, Shri Narayana Murthy, co-founder of the Infosys, has told that the Indian youth should work for 70 hours a week. On the other side, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), of which BSNLEU is an affiliate, has raised the demand for 35 hours’ work in a week. Militant struggles of the working class have taken place in the recent months in all the developed capitalist nations like the UK, Germany, France, the US, etc., on the demands of  wage increase and reducing the workload. All these issues need to be highlighted in our slogans, meetings, rallies, etc., to be organised in this year’s May Day. Circle and district unions of BSNLEU are requested to effectively organise this year’s May Day activities and send the reports and photos to the CHQ.

As is known to all the employees, the revised rate of IDA has not been paid w.e.f. 01.04.2024. This is because, the Labour Bureau, which releases the All India Consumer Price Index (Industrial Workers) figures, has not released the same for the month of March, 2024. Hence, the DPE has not announced the revised IDA rates w.e.f. 01.04.2024. Such a delay has never been witnessed before. In view of this, BSNLEU has written a letter to the Secretary, Ministry of Labour, today, demanding to immediately intervene in this matter and to take appropriate action.  

The Voluntary Group Health Insurance Scheme for BSNL employees, implemented in tie-up with M/s Oriental Insurance Company, is expiring on 31-05-2024. This insurance scheme has to be renewed w.e.f. 01-06-2024, for which the fresh MoU has to be signed between BSNL Management and the insurance company. The Admin Branch of the Corporate Office has taken the initiative for the renewal of the MoU. In this connection, a meeting is being held in the Corporate Office on 29-04-2024. Recognised unions and associations are invited for this meeting. BSNLEU will participate in this meeting.

In continuation of the Wage Negotiating Committee meeting held on 22-03-2024, BSNLEU has submitted live cases of stagnation that will occur in the new pay scales proposed by the Management Side. Thereafter, BSNLEU has also met Shri S.P.Singh, Sr.GM(Estt.) and discussed about the cases of stagnation. Yesterday, Com.Animesh Mitra, President and Com. John Verghese, Acting General Secretary met Shri R.K. Goyal, Chairman of the Wage Negotiating Committee in this connection. They informed the Chairman about the live cases already submitted by BSNLEU and requested for an early meeting of the Wage Negotiating Committee. The leaders also insisted to consider revision of HRA, together with the revision of pay scales.

BSNLEU has provided the management with a worksheet detailing specific examples of stagnation cases. Today, a discussion was held with Sr. GM (Estt.) on the same subject. Union representatives explained the details of the stagnation cases. During the discussion, Sr. GM (Estt.) assured that necessary action will be taken with care to study each case, and a report on the subject will be submitted to the Wage Negotiation Committee. Comrades Animesh Mitra, President, John Verghese, Acting General Secretary, and C.K. Gundanna, AGS, were present in the discussion

We propose the following corrections to the draft minutes of the Joint Committee on Wage Revision meeting held on 22-03-2024:

In Para 2.1 regarding the stagnation issue, we request the removal of certain wording as the Management Side did not propose any such precondition in the meeting, ".......if staff side is ready to sign agreement".

In Para 2.2 concerning allowances, we suggest inserting a statement regarding the Staff Side's demand for the revision of HRA and the Management Side's assurance to look into it.

A letter regarding this matter has been written to the PGM (SR).

During the formal meeting with Director (HR), BSNLEU raised concerns about the JTO (LICE) exams in Punjab circle and expressed dissatisfaction with the management's decision to cancel the exam results. Additionally, the union proposed creating supernumerary posts to accommodate qualified candidates in Punjab circle. While Director (HR) assured to address the issue, a month has passed without progress. Comrades Animesh Mitra, President, and John Verghese, Acting General Secretary, met with PGM (SR) and Sr. GM (Estt.) to convey the sentiments of Punjab circle. BSNLEU will continue advocating for resolution with the management.

Comrades Animesh Mitra, President BSNLEU, and John Verghese, Acting General Secretary, met PGM (SR) on 19.04.2024, stressing the necessity for a Wage Revision Committee meeting within a fortnight. They apprised PGM (SR) of 30 live cases of stagnation and pay losses submitted to the Chairman of the Wage Revision Committee, representing various cadres. These cases underscore the dissatisfaction among non-executive cadres regarding the unilateral pay scales proposed by management.

In response, PGM (SR) assured that a date for the Wage Revision Committee meeting will be provided after thorough examination of the submitted cases by our Union.

BSNLEU CHQ submitted the above data on 18.04.2024, to Sri. R K Goyal, Chairman, Wage Negotiating Committee, as per the discussion held on 22.03.2024.

BSNLEU CHQ writes to PGM (SR) Smt. Anita Johari to release the formal minutes of the meeting held with Director (HR). As issues discussed in the meeting are important and urgent in nature.