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.

Following the recent meeting on March 22, 2024, where management requested details on stagnation and pay loss cases for non-executives, BSNLEU has compiled and submitted comprehensive data with stagnation cases for review. We echo concerns that accepting proposed pay scales could worsen these issues. Urging thorough examination and discussion within the wage negotiation committee, we request prompt scheduling of the next meeting within a fortnight to expedite negotiations. Join us in advocating for fair compensation and equitable treatment for all BSNL non-executive employees.

Pune, 17th April 2024: Citizens across the country are calling for BSNL to offer 4G and 5Gservices, but the company has not yet received the necessary equipment from TCS to provide these services. As a result, BSNL is unable to offer 4G and 5G connectivity to its customers, and there has been a delay from the central government as well. This has prompted the BSNL Employees Union to launch protests nationwide, including in Pune on Tuesday.

A protest was held in front of the BSNL office on Satara Road, organized by the BSNL Employees Union Coordinating Committee. The demonstrators demanded that BSNL be equipped with 4G and 5G technology as soon as possible. MI Jakati, the union’s president in Pune, stated that the central government had allowed only BSNL to use domestically produced4G equipment as part of the “Self-reliant India” initiative. Meanwhile, other mobile service providers are using 4G devices from companies in China and South Korea.

BSNL reluctantly agreed to partner with TCS to produce 4G equipment, but after three years, TCS has not yet developed these devices. Furthermore, TCS is seeking assistance from China’s ZT Company to develop 4G equipment, which has delayed the process even further.

As a result of the lack of 4G and 5G services, BSNL has lost customers, which has harmed the company. Jakati argued that this situation may lead to the deliberate privatization of BSNL to benefi t private companies. He called on the government to act quickly by providing the necessary equipment to BSNL or allowing the company to use Vodafone’s equipment, as Vodafone is a government-owned entity.

Other union members, including Nagesh Kumar Nalavde, Sandeep Gulunjkar, Kishore Gawali,Baban Suryavanshi, and Manjusha Lachke, participated in the movement, while Vikas Kadamserved as moderator and Ganesh Bhoj gave the vote of thanks.

[ Source: Punekarnews.in dt.17-04-2024]