BSNL Management is contemplating to issue break-in-service, under FR 17A, for participation in the 3 day strike. AUAB has written to the CMD BSNL, opposing this move. The AUAB has stated that, FR 17A is not part of BSNL CRA Rules, and hence break- in -service under FR 17A cannot be imposed on BSNL employees.

In the backdrop of the indefinite strike, that was to start from 03-12-2018, talks were held between the CMD BSNL and the AUAB on 02-12-2018. In that talks, it was agreed by the CMD BSNL, for increasing the Management's contribution to the Superannuation benefits of the Directly Recruited employees. It was agreed to increase the contribution by 3% by the end of the financial year, and to increase the remaining portion in the subsequent financial year. However, this commitment is yet to be fulfilled. Hence, the AUAB has written to the CMD BSNL, demanding implementation of the assurance.

The Management is moving in the direction of having "Further Consolidation of SSAs into Business Areas". This means reduction in the number of the present 198 Businesses Areas. This will have implications in the transfer liability of the Non-Executives. BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL, opposing any such move, and requesting to hold prior talks with the Recognised Unions, before taking any final decision on the matter. 

BSNLEU is taking continuous steps to settle the case of lesser fixation of pension, of some retired Sr.TOAs of Maharashtra circle. This problem has arisen due to the wrong interpretation of rules, related to the OTBP promotions of the Sr.TOA, given some 15 years ago. 

Recently, the Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare has given a guideline that, the correctness of past emoluments, related to a period earlier than a maximum of 24 months, should not be looked into. Based on these guidelines of the DoP&PW, BSNLEU has once again written to the Member (Finance), DoT, demanding an early settlement of the case.

As per the decision of the Union Cabinet, the assets and liabilities of the erstwhile Department of Telecom Services (DTS) and that of Department of Telecom Operations (DTO), were already transferred to BSNL, w.e.f. 01.10.2000. However, the DoT is forcibly taking over BSNL’s buildings and office spaces in many circles. In today’s meeting with the CMD BSNL, BSNLEU urged upon him to ensure that no more building or office space is taken over by the DoT, and also to ensure that all the lands and buildings, transferred from DTS and DTO, are registered in BSNL’s name without further delay. The CMD BSNL assured to do the needful.  

BSNLEU has already written to the GM(Restg.), BSNL CO., opposing the latest guidelines of the Restructuring Branch of the Corporate Office, stating that the Non-Executives could be transferred out of the SSA. BSNLEU has once again written to the Director (HR), demanding to keep the guidelines of the Restructuring Branch under abeyance, and to discuss the issue with the Recognised Unions.

In the wake of the 21 day "Lockdown" imposed by the government a spree of retrenchments, wage cut, forced unpaid leave etc., are being done by the employers on the workers, particularly contract/casual/temporary/fixed term workers in various establishments. Similarly, harassment of frontline workers by the police and harassment of migrant workers by them are also rampantly taking place. The Central Trade Unions have written to Shri Santosh Gangwar, Union Minister for Labour and Employment, demanding suitable action.

The Ministry of Finance, as well as the Ministry of Labour, have already issued instructions, stating that there should not be any denial of wages to the contract workers, on account of the Lockdown. Once again, the Ministry of Finance has reiterated this, vide it’s letter issued on 20-05-2020. So far as the BSNL Management is concerned, it is unfortunate that, all these instructions are falling on deaf ears. The BSNL Management has not paid wages to the contract workers almost for the past one year. BSNLEU has once again written to the CMD BSNL, demanding implementation of the Ministry of Finance instructions and also payment of wage arrears of the contract workers.

JTO LICE under 50% quota was held on 26.05.2019. Despite repeated insistence by the Union, results of this exam are not yet declared. BSNLEU has written to the Director (HR), demanding to sort out the problem involved at the earliest, and to ensure that the results are declared without further delay.

The DoP&T has issued guideline, stating that Persons with Disabilities are to be exempted from attending office during the period wherein restrictions have been imposed by the government, to contain the spread of COVID-19. BSNLEU has demanded that the Corporate Office should endorse this letter to the CGMs, so that relief is given to the Persons with Disabilities.

BSNLEU is continuously urging upon the Corporate Office, to hold the 37^th meeting of the National Council. The SR Branch of the Corporate Office had contacted to the Leader and Secretary of the Staff Side some days back and had asked whether 20th November, 2018, was convenient for them for holding the 37th meeting of the National Council. Both the Leader and the Secretary had agreed for the date. However, no notification has been issued so far. Hence, Com. P. Abhimanyu, Secretary, Staff Side, has written to the Director (HR) for the early issuing of the notification.

The BSNL Corporate Office has issued letter, to keep the JE LICE and TT LICE in abeyance, till December, 2019. These exams have to be conducted immediately. Further, the JTO LICE, for the vacancy year 2018-19, has already become due. This exam also has to be held on time. Hence, BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL to hold these examinations without further delay.

BSNLEU is seriously trying to settle the problem of downgradation of the Sr. TOAs, from 7100 pay scale to 6550 pay scale. Discussion with the CMD BSNL in this regard, has broken the ice. Follow up discussions are taking place with the Establishment Branch of the Corporate Office. In this connection, BSNLEU has demanded settlement of this issue, by utilising clause 6.4 of the NEPP, which states that all pay scale upgradations given under OTBP/ BCR/ ACP, after 01-10-2000 and before introduction of NEPP, shall be treated as upgradation under NEPP.

After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as separate circles, the BSNL employees of Andhra Pradesh are required to take LoA for taking treatment in Hyderabad, which is creating hardship to the employees. This issue was taken up in the 37^th National Council meeting by BSNLEU, demanding that the LoA should not be insisted. Management Side agreed for a review. BSNLEU has once again written to the PGM (Admn.) of BSNL Corporate Office to review the issue expeditiously.

The LIC premium amount, deducted from the salaries of the employees, has not been remitted by BSNL Management, to LIC, since May, 2019. As a result, the employees have become defaulters, which will cause serious complications to the families of the deceased employees. It is a fact that BSNL is a valued customer of LIC, having huge business transactions. BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL, suggesting to take up the issue of belated payment of premium, with the Chairman of the LIC, so that the employees do not suffer on account of the belated remittance by BSNL Management. BSNLEU has already sought the help of the General Secretary of the All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA), who has assured to do the needful on this matter, provided a formal letter is written by the CMD BSNL to the Chairman of LIC. BSNLEU will pursue this issue further.

BSNLEU has continuously been demanding that the Non-Executives, especially the Directly Recruited JEs, who are engineering graduates, should also be permitted to appear in the Management Trainee internal examination. Once again BSNLEU has drawn the attention of the CMD BSNL, by writing a letter.

Based on the order of DoP&T, Corporate Office has renewed the payment of Special Concessions / Facilities to the employees working in Kashmir Valley, w.e.f. 01.01.2018. Currently, this allowance is being paid with the salary. However, the arrears from 01.01.2018 is not paid. BSNLEU has written to the Director (Finance), demanding to release funds for payment of the arrears.

As per the BSNL MRS, the employees and retirees of BSNL are entitled for cashless treatment from the empanelled hospitals. However, due to the non-payment of the bills of the empanelled hospitals for a pretty long time, by the BSNL Management, these hospitals are denying cashless treatment to the employees and retirees. This is creating a crisis to the employees, especially those who get infected with COVID-19, in the course of discharging their official duties. Hence, BSNLEU has demanded that the BSNL Management should immediately make at least a part payment of the outstanding bills of the empanelled hospitals and should negotiate with them, to ensure cashless treatment for the employees and retirees.