The historic 20^th General Strike is successfully being organised in the country today, against the pro-corporate, anti-worker and anti-people policies of the Narendra Modi government. In BSNL, BSNLEU and seven other unions and associations have given the call for this General Strike. The strike is successfully taking place in BSNL. As per the call of the CHQ, the striking employees have organised demonstrations, raising slogans against the demolition of the public sector by the Modi government, demanding the pro-employer Labour Laws and the anti-peasant Farm Act.

The AUAB organised powerful demonstrations throughout country yesterday, condemning the freezing of three instalments of IDA by the Modi government. Some views of the demonstrations are already uploaded on the website yesterday. More views of the programme are given in this attachment.

The BSNL Corporate Office, vide it’s letter number BSNL/20-6/2019-SR dated 25.11.2020, has issued instruction for providing details of deduction of union subscription to the unions / associations. It is also instructed that the details of the subscription deducted from members should be provided in the prescribed format, to the Circle Secretary and General Secretary of the unions / associations by 7^th of every month. All circle secretaries are requested to make note of this and to ensure that the details are furnished to the union every month. 

The Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL organised powerful demonstrations throughout the country today, condemning the Modi government's decision to freeze 3 instalments of IDA and demanded to drop the decision. The call of the All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB) for organising the lunch hour demonstrations received inspiring response from the employees. The constituents of the AUAB, viz., BSNLEU, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, BSNL MS, SNATTA, BSNL ATM, TEPU and BSNL OA had taken good efforts for organising this programme. We heartily congratulate all the constituents of the AUAB, for making the call of the AUAB a tremendous success. 

The unions and associations in BSNL are continuously fighting for the past two decades, to protect BSNL from the pro-private and anti-BSNL policies of the successive governments that came to power at the centre. Previously the Joint Forum, the umbrella organisation of the fighting unions and associations, spearheaded these struggles. Presently, the AUAB is spearheading these struggles. 

All the militant and major trade unions and associations are participating in these struggles. Only through these united struggles, BSNL has been safeguarded from disinvestment and privatisation and the Company still remains as a 100% government company. We are proud to say that only because of the united struggles, as well as the campaigns conducted among the general public, BSNL has been able to get 4G spectrum free of cost. When this being the situation, the AIGETOA, which has become the recognised association recently, has written to the General Secretaries of BSNLEU and NFTE, explaining about the need for united actions. Hence, BSNLEU has written to AIGETOA to give the true picture and to put the record straight. 

The government is creating roadblocks in BSNL’s 4G launching. It has cancelled BSNL’s 4G tender. BSNL is being told by the government to procure equipments from domestic vendors, through s System Integrator. 

Former top officials of the DoT and BSNL, including Shri R. Chandrashekhar, former DoT Secretary, have expressed concerns over the government’s direction that BSNL should procure 4G equipments from domestic vendors. They have stated that so far domestic vendors have not commissioned the core network of any telecom operator in the country. Forcing BSNL to do this experiment will increase the cost of the Company and it will face disadvantage in it's competition with other operators.

This intervention made by the former top officers of the DoT and BSNL vindicate the stand taken by BSNLEU and the AUAB on this matter. 

Modi government has frozen three instalments of IDA, due from 01.10.2020, 01.01.2021, 01.04.2021. The AUAB has called on to organise protest demonstrations throughout the country tomorrow the 25.11.2020, protesting against the IDA freezing. Circle and district secretaries are requested to approach SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, BSNL MS, SNATTA, TEPU and BSNL OA and to organise these lunch demonstrations powerfully. Report and photos may be sent to the CHQ.

Eight unions and associations of BSNL are participating in the countrywide General Strike, to be held on 26.11.2020. CHQ has already given direction to all the circle and district unions to organise this strike successfully. 

The eight unions and associations have also directed to organise massive demonstrations at 10:00 am on 26.11.2020. Media coverage may also be arranged to highlight these demonstrations and our strike to the general public sufficiently. 

CHQ calls upon all the circle and district secretaries to take all out efforts to successfully organise the General Strike and also protest demonstrations. Photos of the protest demonstrations may be sent to the CHQ. 

BSNL pensioners have to submit their life certificate in November, 2020. However, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, senior citizens are not advised to go out of their residences.  In view of this, the DoP&T has issued a letter yesterday the 23.11.2020, informing that the last date for submission of Life Certificate is extended up to 28.02.2021. The letter of the DoP&T is attached herewith for the perusal of our comrades. 

An impressive online Circle Executive Committee meeting was organised by Bihar circle union of BSNLEU today. 25 district secretaries and circle office bearers attended this meeting. Com.Ram Sobit Singh, Vice President, presided over the meeting. Com.B.P Singh, Circle Secretary, welcomed everyone and briefed on the activities of the circle union. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, and Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dy.GS, attended this meeting on behalf of the CHQ. Both the comrades explained about the conspiracy through which 4G technology is being denied to BSNL. They also explained in detail about the issues contained in the charter of demands of the Central Trade Unions as well as eight unions and associations of BSNL. In the deliberations which took place thereafter, many district secretaries and circle office bearers participated. Finally, Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, replied to the All India level issues on which questions were raised in the meeting.  At the end, Com.B.P. Singh, CS, summed up the discussions. All the comrades participated in the meeting, resolved to successfully organise the General Strike and the lunch hour demonstrations on 25.11.2020. The president addressed the meeting and proposed vote of thanks. CHQ heartily congratulates the Bihar circle union for organising an impressive Circle Executive Committee meeting.

The Trade Union International (TUI, Transports & Communications), is organising a solidarity demonstration, in front of the Consulate General (Indian High Commission), at Istanbul, the Capital of Turkey on 26.11.2020. This demonstration at Istanbul is being organised to support of the 26^th November General Strike being held in India. This demonstration at Istanbul is being organised by the Nakliyatis Trade Union, whose leader, Ali Riza Kucukosmanoglu, is the General Secretary of the TUI Transports and Communications. In this regard, the TUI Transports and Communications has sent the following message to the Indian Trade Unions.

“ Dear Comrades, please be informed that we, as Nakliyat-İş Union, will organize a solidarity action at Consulate General of India in Istanbul on the day of the massive 26 November strike to be organized by Indian Working Class led by the militant WFTU affiliate organizations. We will also hand in a letter to the Consulate in which it's stated that we firmly side with Indian Working Class and their just demands.

Later we'll share the photos of the action.

Fraternal greetings.”

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, who is also the Convenor of the Communications Sector of the TUI Transports and Communications, has sent the following message in Turkish language. (courtesy Microsoft translator).

“Nakliyat'ın liderlerine ve yoldaşlarına kırmızı selamlar, 26 Kasım 2020'de Hindistan'da düzenlenen genel greve destek amaçlı önerilen dayanışma eylemi içindir.

-P.Abhimanyu, 

Genel Sekreter, 

Telekomünikasyon çalışanları sendikası.”

"Long Live the solidarity of the working class."

"Workers of the world, unite."

The Jharkhand circle branch of BSNLEU, organised it’s online Executive Committee meeting yesterday the 22.11.2020. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, and Com.P. Abhimanyu, GS, attended the meeting from the CHQ. Com.Omkar Nath Prasad, President, presided over the meeting. Com.Azad, Circle Secretary, welcomed everyone and presented his report on  activities. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, delivered the inaugural address. He explained about the present condition of BSNL, and the charter of demands of the BSNL unions and associations, as well as that of the central trade unions. He appealed to the comrades to successfully implement the General Strike, being organised on 26^th November, 2020.  Com.Animesh Mitra, addressed the comrades and explained about the ways and means to strengthen the Organisation. All the district secretaries participated in the deliberations. Finally, Com.Azad, Circle Secretary, summed up the discussion and gave the vote of thanks.

नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज के लिए वेतन वार्ता शीघ्र शुरू होगी..

BSNLEU द्वारा लगातार यह मांग की जाती रही है कि मैनेजमेंट द्वारा वेतन वार्ता (Wage Negotiation) शुरू की जाए, जो कि अधबीच में ही बंद हो चुकी थी। BSNLEU द्वारा यह उल्लेखित किया गया है कि, DoT द्वारा BSNL मैनेजमेंट को निर्देशित किया गया था कि वह मान्यता प्राप्त यूनियन्स के साथ एग्रीमेंट कर उनके (DoT के) अनुमोदन हेतु वापस भेजें। इसलिए, BSNLEU द्वारा यह भी फोकस किया जाता रहा है कि वेतन वार्ता में रुकावट, DoT के निर्देशों का उल्लंघन है। इसी आधार पर BSNLEU मांग करती रही है कि वेतन वार्ता पुनः शुरू की जाए। BSNLEU ने यह मुद्दा नेशनल कौंसिल की 39वीं मीटिंग में भी चर्चा हेतु शामिल किया है।  26.11.2020 को होने वाली आम हड़ताल हेतु दिए गए नोटिस में शामिल मांगों में भी यह एक प्रमुख मांग है। इन परिस्थितियों में, श्री प्रदीप कुमार, AGM(SR), जो समझौता वार्ता (Conciliation meeting) में शामिल हुए थे, ने सूचित किया है कि मैनेजमेंट शीघ्र ही वेतन वार्ता शुरू करने जा रहा  है। निःसंदेह, यह BSNLEU द्वारा किए गए अनवरत प्रयासों का परिणाम है। हम, मैनेजमेंट के निर्णय का स्वागत करते हैं और अनुरोध करते हैं कि वार्ता अविलंब शुरू की जाए।  

IDA फ्रीज करने के विरोध में 25.11.2020 को भोजन अवकाश में विरोध प्रदर्शन आयोजित करने हेतु AUAB का कर्मचारियों से आव्हान..

जैसा कि पूर्व में सूचित किया जा चुका है, सरकार द्वारा पब्लिक सेक्टर कर्मियों को 01.10.2020, 01.01.2021 और 01.04.2021 को देय 3 IDA की किश्तें फ्रीज करने का निर्णय लिया गया है। ये तीनों IDA, 01.07.2021 से ही बहाल किए जाएंगे। किन्तु किसी भी प्रकार का एरियर नही दिया जाएगा।

ऑल यूनियन्स और एसोसिएशन्स ऑफ BSNL (AUAB), IDA फ्रीज किए जाने के निर्णय की कड़ी भर्त्सना करता है। यह और कुछ नही, वरन BSNL सहित सभी पब्लिक सेक्टर कर्मचारियों के साथ सरासर  बेईमानी है। अतः, AUAB ने BSNL के सभी एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज और नॉन एग्जीक्यूटिव्ज से भोजन अवकाश में विरोध प्रदर्शन आयोजित करने का आव्हान किया है।

BSNLEU के सभी सर्किल और डिस्ट्रिक्ट सेक्रेटरीज से CHQ अनुरोध करता है कि वें  25.11.2020 को भोजन अवकाश में जबरदस्त विरोध प्रदर्शन आयोजित करने हेतु पहल कर AUAB के अन्य घटकों से समन्वय स्थापित करें।

CITU has arranged for an online seminar of the leaders of the Public Sector Trade Unions, at 06.00 pm today. This will be a live programme on Facebook and Youtube. Together with Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, Com.Lalit Mishra, GS, Steel Workers Federation of India (SWFI), Com.T. Naredra Rao, General Secretary, Water Transport Workers Federation of India (WTWFI) and Com.Samarendra Nath Banerjee, Convenor, All India Co-ordination Committee of Public Sector Trade Unions (AICCPSTU), will address this Seminar. Each leader will speak for 15 minutes. Circle Secretaries are requested to ensure that maximum number of comrades view this live programme.

As has already been informed, the government has decided to freeze three instalments of IDA of the Public Sector employees, falling due on 01.10.2020, 01.01.2021 and 01.04.2021. These three IDAs will be restored w.e.f. 01.07.2021, but no arrears will be paid. 

The All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB) deplores this IDA freezing. This is nothing, but hitting the public sector employees, which includes the BSNL employees, below the belt. Hence, the AUAB has called upon the entire Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL to organise protest lunch hour demonstrations on 25.11.2020.

The CHQ requests all the circle and district secretaries of BSNLEU to take the initiative and coordinate with the other constituents of the AUAB, for organising powerful lunch hour demonstrations on 25.11.2020. 

The West Bengal circle union has unleashed a massive campaign, to make the 26^th November General Strike a total success. The campaign started on 1^st November, 2020. Com.Animesh Mitra, All India President, as well as Circle Secretary, West Bengal, together with other circle leaders, are visiting each and every district and are conducting physical meetings. So far, 30 such campaign meetings are already conducted.  There is an excellent response from the employees and they turn out in large numbers in all the meetings. CHQ heartily congratulates the West Bengal circle union for organising a successful campaign for the General Strike. The other circle unions should also follow the example of West Bengal.

BSNLEU has been continuously demanding that, the Management should resume the Wage Negotiation, which has been discontinued midway. BSNLEU has been highlighting that, the DoT had instructed the BSNL Management to sign an agreement with the Recognised Unions and sent it back for it’s (DoT’s) approval. Hence, BSNLEU has been focusing that, the discontinuation of the Wage Negotiations by the BSNL Management, is a violation of the direction of the DoT. It is on this basis that BSNLEU has been demanding that Wage Negotiations should be resumed. BSNLEU has taken up this issue for discussion in the 39^th meeting of the National Council also. It is also one of the important demands in the notice that has been issued for the General Strike, to be held on 26.11.2020. Under these circumstances, the Shri Pradeep Kumar, AGM(SR), who participated in the Conciliation meeting today, has informed that the Management is going to resume the Wage Negotiations shortly. Undoubtedly, this is the result of the consistent efforts that has been taken by BSNLEU. We welcome the decision of the Management and request that the negotiations should resume without delay.